‘Tis the season…for shoplifting. That’s right; just like holiday shoppers, shoplifters have already started emerging to get a jump on the holiday season.

National Retail Federation spokesman Joseph LaRocca confirmed that prime shoplifting season is starting. “Everyone’s getting ready for the holidays earlier this year,” he said. “We see an increase in thefts in October and November because, like stores, shoplifting professionals are stocking their shelves, too. They are getting ready for the holidays so they can supply flea markets, pawn shops and online outlets.”

According to Lt. William Kushina of the Cherry Hill, NJ Police Department, the department is seeing a more organized effort at making off with big-ticket items. “It’s not just kids. When someone is stealing 10 pairs of jeans, that is organized retail theft,” Kushina said. “The economy has a lot to do with it, but we do see an uptick before the holidays.”

Shoplifters seek safety in numbers. Now that more people are out shopping it is harder for sales staff to keep an eye on everyone at all times, giving an opening to thieves. Sales staff does not have the time to stick like glue to everyone that comes through the door but following are some things to look for that may indicated that your “customer” may not be on the up-and-up.

• Large open bags. When a shoplifter is examining merchandise, the bag is placed open on the floor and merchandise dropped into it. Also keep an eye out for dirty, wrinkle paper shopping bags; this can be a tool of the trade that they carry with them and not a bag that came with a purchase that day. This shoplifting technique can be combated by stapling bags shut at the entrance or checking them in behind the counter to prevent anything from “accidentally” falling into them.

 

• Women with large purses or people with baby strollers. There is nothing you can do to prevent people from using purses or strollers but be sure to pay attention to these customers. Items can be dropped into a purse while allegedly digging around for lipstick or can be quickly hidden under baby blankets.

 

 

• Customers walking with short awkward steps. This may be an indicator that items have been shoved into clothing and the shoplifter is trying to keep them in place. This is especially true with skirt-wearing female thieves who will put merchandise up their skirts and clench it between their thighs.

 

 

• Newspaper. Small items can be slipped into a folded up newspaper so pay special attention to those strolling around the store with a newspaper under their arm.
• Shoppers with large coats who keeps their hands in their pockets. Some shoplifters will cut a hole in the lining of their coat so, while examining an item with their free hand, they can reach out and grab merchandise through the hole with the other hand.
• Be aware of those shopping in pairs or groups. Sometimes one shoplifter will distract the sales clerk with a question while the other grabs the merchandise.

 

 

• Return shoppers who don’t shop. People who keep returning to the store without purchasing may be scoping out the store and checking the level of attention paid to them. If they keep coming back without purchasing, they may be walking out with unpaid merchandise.

 

Now that you know some things to look for, how about an ounce or two of prevention? While shoplifting can be curtailed by employing security cameras (or simulated cameras), security tags with alarms and by monitoring fitting rooms, nothing beats attentive customer service. Greet all shoppers with eye contact and a warm welcome so that everyone knows that they are on your radar. Also….

• Alternate the direction of hangers. Some thieves are fans of the “grab and run” technique but if they try to do that when the hanger directions are alternated, the hangers will lock up and won’t come off the rail.
• Check employee bags when they leave. We’d all love to think we can trust those we employ but the reality is that employee theft is a big problem. If employees know that their bags will be checked they will be less likely to chance stealing.
• Watch the “no sales”. Employees will occasionally need to do a “no sale” but if the numbers are high for particular employees then you may want to look into why that is. The average is 4 “no sales” per day so keep an eye on higher instances.

I know you want to keep shoplifting down to a minimum but please do be safe. Never try to physically stop a shoplifter; call security instead. Also, do not outright accuse someone of shoplifting. If you feel certain that someone has taken merchandise, give them the opportunity to purchase the items they “forgot” to pay for. If they refuse or become aggressive, let security handle the situation.