Services — Retail Loss Prevention

 

Witherspoon Security Consulting has extensive experience in addressing and controlling the triad of Inventory Shrinkage: employee theft, shoplifting and paperwork/system errors.

To improve our client's economic performance and reduce potential liability, we provide targeted in-depth and on-scene assessments of client operations from the distribution center (if applicable), to the retail store floor. Our findings, coupled with an understanding of the client's culture, enable us to provide specific cost-effective recommendations for reducing shrinkage by correcting identified problems. In some cases we also identify policy issues that need to be addressed by management.

 

Our recommendations frequently involve some or all of the following areas:

• Loss Prevention Department structure
• Loss Prevention personnel allocations
• Loss Prevention productivity/litigation avoidance
• Loss Prevention policies and procedures
• Loss Prevention training
• Security equipment need/usage
• Physical security (stockroom/distribution centers)

 

Success Story

We were retained by a regional bookstore chain to assist with "growing shoplifting losses." Our analysis showed that while a minor shoplifting problem existed (we recommended employee training on how to discourage shoplifting), that wasn't the client's main problem. Their major shrinkage was the result of an outdated computerized inventory system. Merchandise received wasn't being properly recorded and, most importantly, price reductions weren't properly accounted for in the system. Employee time and effort had been diverted in trying to "catch" shoplifters who weren't there, resulting in lower employee morale and customer service, and increased inventory "errors."  Estimated first year net profit improvements obtained by using a new computerized inventory program were approximately $45,000 per store.

Other Examples of Our Work

• We helped a convenience store chain achieve significant reduction (over 60%) in supply chain theft losses through improved control measures.
• We helped a specialty apparel store chain reorganize its loss prevention training. The result: a first year reduction in new lawsuits from four to zero.

 

Click here to read related article: Shoplifting: Use of Force and Detention

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