Research carried out by John Dunham & Associates (JDA) in 2021 shows that supermarkets lose about 1.5 percent of their sales to theft. While this may not look like a significant figure when compared to the overall percentage but it is a significant loss as the profit margins in retail stores are comparatively low. This has raised a concern on how supermarkets can protect their goods from theft which can either be from its employees or customers. This article seeks to address how supermarkets can protect stolen goods from their stores.
Putting adequate security measures in a supermarket is a major way supermarkets can protect its store from theft. Though this may be expensive it’s worth more than having to lose goods worth a huge amount to theft each year when compared to the overall profit that will be recorded by the store.
What type of items are stolen from the store?
Some customers get into the supermarkets during festive seasons or periods where the store will be extremely busy with large crowds in pretense to shop but end up stuffing items like ground beef, roasts, drinks, steaks, medicine such as weight loss drugs, Advil, meat, and cosmetics into their clothes. This activity is very common during the winter period when people are spotted on winter coats.
How can supermarkets detect stolen goods?
While it may be difficult for a supermarket to detect stolen items instantly from the counter except during stock-taking when the number of items on the counter doesn’t correspond with what is available in the system as being sold. Large stores like Walmart are known to have security cameras attached to almost all the sections in their store which can lead to early detection of theft.
How Do Supermarkets Protect Stolen Goods?
These are some of the ways supermarkets can employ to protect their goods from being stolen.
Proper Staff Training:
While a supermarket cannot depend solely on its employees to protect its goods from being stolen as some of the items stolen are attributed to unsatisfied employees. Having well-trained staff positioned at every section of the supermarket to help customers who may be walking aimlessly in the stores check for their goods and also put an eye on them is a major way to protect stolen goods. The staff should be alert and observant of suspicious gestures from customers.
Installation of Security Cameras
The use of security cameras especially during the hit period in the store where all staff may be busy attending to customers or the responsibilities can cover for blind spot areas in the store and observation of customers. With the camera in check, the security unit can raise an alarm in areas with suspicious movements or customers spotted with funny behavior in the store. Extra care should be adhered to avoid misinformation.
Setting Up A Security Unit
Some supermarkets go the extra mile by setting up an anti-theft security unit that carries out routine checks within and outside the store. Some of them are stationed at the entrance and exit of the store to check for receipts as the customer is about to leave the store.
The Use of Cart and baskets during the purchase
All customers should be made to shop with the use of cart or shopping baskets once they are inside the supermarket and not waterproof. Some customers who make use of waterproof for shopping end up leaving the store without making payments. All items should be properly checked at the designated pay point and packaged by the staff on duty before an exit.
Installation of updated security alarms
Some supermarkets protect their product using security sensors that can alert the security unit of theft, the system must be properly updated to ensure its functionality. This will check for customers who attempt to leave the store without paying for goods.
Warning alert on each section
Supermarkets can go further to set up warning signals each signal that puts customers in the know of being monitored in the supermarket as well as the stipulated punishment for theft.
Conclusion
The need to have adequate security checks on supermarkets can not be over emphasis due to the huge losses recorded as a result of stolen goods. Supermarkets should invest in their security services through the installation of CCTV, training of staff to detect theft, setting up of anti-theft units as well as the provision of security alarms on packaged goods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a supermarket protect all its goods from being stolen?
With adequate security measures put in place for effective monitoring, a supermarket can have its goods protected from being stolen.
Is it expensive to protect stolen goods in a supermarket?
Yes. The cost of securing goods from theft is expensive since it will involve the use of devices and human resources for effective monitoring.
