 Palms small articles. Packages, newspapers, coats, gloves and other things that are carried in the hand can be used as shoplifting aids.  Carries an umbrella or other device (such as a knitting bag, diaper bag, large purse, briefcase, paper bag, booster box, etc.) to conceal merchandise.  Wears bulky, heavy clothing during warm weather or coats when unnecessary.

 Has a slit in the pocket of his outer garment. This is a boon to the shoplifter. He can place his hand through the slit so it appears that his hand is in his pocket. This way he can carry stolen merchandise in the hand which appears to be in the pocket.  Wears a shirt, slacks or other garment with an elastic waistband or wears “shoplifter bloomers.”

 Tries on a garment, places his outer garment over the stolen one and wears your merchandise out of the store.  Has hooks inside his or her coat, slacks, dress or slip. Hooks come in handy for neatly hanging up and comfortably transporting stolen goods.  Enters the store without jewelry or accessories, but wears or carries items of this type when he leaves.  Wears a long outer coat and conceals articles between his legs.  Walks to an unattended section or one near an exit, grabs several pieces of merchandise and departs from the store in a haste.

 Shoplifters will:  Avoid eye contact  Appear nervous  Wander the store without buying  Leave the store and returns repeatedly  Linger in a location that employees have a hard time monitoring  Constantly keep an eye on store employees and other customers

 Do not lose sight of suspect  Call for security/management personnel  DO NOT physically try to stop the suspect  Wait until the suspect leaves the store?

 Security towers  Anti-theft tags on merchandise  Security Cameras

 A security camera  Put security sensors on items that are $25 or more  Put a security tower near the door.  Add a phone so you don’t have to leave the school store to make a call.

 Your store wont loose customers  You wont loose money  Wont have to pay higher security expenses(if in a store in a mall)  You wont be able to catch every shoplifter  1 out 11 people are shoplifters

 Low expectation of being caught  High levels of frustration  Low pay  Difficult customers  Long hours

 Stop by your store without warning.  Make periodic (yet randomly timed) unannounced visits to each and every retail location.  Spot-check inventory/drawer.  During unannounced visits, announce: “I’m just double- checking inventory numbers and doing a register check.” Pick a few products and check physical inventory against inventory sheets/POS inventory figures. If possible, run a cash drawer reconciliation. Announce: “I’ll be back again soon to run through this again.” This lets employees know management is keeping its eye on the everything.

 Have an inventory-tracking system.  Use a POS system that tracks inventory automatically or, at a minimum, use paper-based inventory-tracking sheets to send a signal to employees that inventory is indeed being monitored.  Train employees.  Provide all employees with training on theft-prevention, both shoplifting and employee theft. Discuss the ways the company is prepared to detect either.

 Encourage anonymous tips.  Publish a phone number employees can call to leave an anonymous message if they suspect a co-worker of stealing product or cash. If employees are aware their co-workers are watching and could report them, they will be less inclined to steal.  Check deposits.  Don’t just check if the deposit numbers match the sales figures. Also check that deposits are being made routinely and when expected (particularly easy to do through online banking). If deposits are typically made every day and then suddenly they are being made every-other day, find out why.

 Watch the “no-sales.”  Many retail owners know that the leading indicator of theft is a single piece of data on your x-tape: the “no sale” number. If a typical day’s no-sale tally is four, but every time a particular employee works the tally is 10, there may be a problem.

 Check your company culture  Employee attitudes will to a large extent be affected by their employer’s expectations and company culture  Create incentives  If they receive a cash benefit every time they bring significant savings to the company, they may feel more ownership and thus be more motivated.

 Develop clear frugal strategies  But there are two important points with this: make sure that the goals are realistic, and take your employees into account. Setting targets without considering your employees will lead to certain failure.  Respect cultural and personal differences  Before implementing any sort of cost-saving program, make sure they are doable for your employees and are unlikely to offend anyone.  Set the example  Show them how to do something vs. telling them

 The right to know and be trained in a safe work place  The right to refuse work without being fired or disciplined  The right to participate in health and safety matters  The right to be provided safety equipment