Tips for loss prevention in retail stores

What is loss prevention in retail? It may be a matter of combating theft and fraud, but it could also be a case of addressing common errors that lead to losses. Video evidence can be useful when analysing the causes of losses and can help you prosecute thieves and fraudsters when your business becomes a victim of theft or fraud. In this article, we look at various strategies that may help you in your loss prevention efforts. 

Preventing employee theft and fraud

From an employee’s perspective, investigations into staff theft are demoralising, even if they are not guilty. There may be finger-pointing, rumours circulate, and even the innocent will be concerned that they may be wrongly accused.  

As a result, you are likely to find that most employees are open to the use of body-worn cameras when undertaking tasks such as operating the till, drawing stock from storage, or handling returns from customers. 

Their footage not only shows you how they work with customers, but proves their honesty when loss prevention is among your priorities. If they make mistakes, they will be happy to learn from them, and when shrinkage issues are causing workplace stress, they’ll know that evidence proves their integrity. 

As for the less-well-intentioned, knowing their actions are recorded will act as a deterrent, preventing them from committing crimes they know will be captured on video. Other actions to consider include thorough stock record-keeping, analysing till data for anomalies, appointing a supervisor to handle sensitive tasks like voiding sales, CCTV monitoring, and access control measures. 

Preventing shoplifting and cash register or return fraud

Shoplifting

Simply keeping the line of sight between employees and customers in different parts of your retail store open can make a big difference. Shoplifters don’t want to run the risk of being caught in the act.

Once again, body-worn cameras have a role to play. While CCTV can spot suspicious behaviour, your personnel must ultimately confront anyone who is suspected of shoplifting. A body-cam’s ability to record both visuals and sound helps them to record what was said and done during these highly-sensitive and potentially risky interactions. 

Return fraud

There are many types of return fraud. Buying an item (usually clothing), using it once, and then returning it is very common and will be hard to prove. Besides this, a person may steal an item, presenting it as a return in the hope of gaining a cash refund. And, of course, a person may buy an item with a stolen credit card, claiming a refund shortly afterwards.

Use body-worn camera footage to record interactions and train employees on how to handle returns effectively. They will also help to deter fraudulent customers who will not want to be identifiable. Customer returns records will show staff if someone habitually returns items, and you can develop training and policies that help employees deal with this type of customer. 

Radiocoms helps retailers with loss prevention

The use of body-worn cameras in retail serves a twofold aim: deterring shoplifters and discouraging members of the public from harassing staff. 

The message is clear. Surveillance is a key component in loss prevention, and helps keep your people safer at work. To serve these ends, you will need more detailed information than CCTV cameras can offer. Body-worn cameras provide an all-important employee’s-eye-view of events, at a ground level and they are becoming an increasingly common sight in retail stores.

Before investing in this technology, consult Radiocoms for a proof of concept test to assess the benefits of adopting body-worn cameras in your store. This will give you real-world insights on body-worn camera performance, how it can enhance safety by deterring incidents and protecting employees and customers, and how seamlessly these cameras can integrate into existing operations.

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