In 2000 shoplifters stole an average of US$ 152.00 per incident today it is more than US$ 200.00 per incident
Shoplifters are caught only 1 in 48 times *
Most non-professionals do not plan to steal in advance *
Shoplifting is most active in the month of December
Sophisticated security systems alone do not stop all shoplifting
A typical retail business will suffer losses of between 1% - 8% of total gross sales due to retail shrinkage
The tax base is reduced and jobs are lost as a result of shoplifting
Adolescents account for nearly 50% of shoplifters, but they only steal one-third as much as adults
More than 50% of employees will look the other way while a shoplifting incident is in progress
Half of the employees steal to some degree
Shoplifting Statistics and Facts Shoplifting will cost the retailer a great deal of lost profits and everyone pays for this crime. Retailers suffer lower profits and consumers ultimately pay higher prices. Some stores charge up to 7 cents per dollar to cover retail theft which can make a business less competitive. For Example theft of a US$ 2.00 item from a store operating on a 10% profit margin requires the sale of US$ 20.00 in merchandise to make up for the loss. Supermarkets and other retailers operating on low margins of 1% must sell US$ 500.00 in merchandise, just to cover the cost of a US$ 5.00 item. It's easy to see how out-of-control shoplifting can quickly threaten the viability of your business. Cost of Shoplifting Calculate your total yearly retail losses are a fairly simple formula. Estimate your businesses gross yearly sales, and then multiply this figure by a value of 1%. Repeat this calculation again but this time take your gross yearly sales and multiply it by 8%. Example 1: US$1,000,000 (yearly gross sales) X1% US$10,000 (retail loss)
Example 2: US$1,000,000 (yearly gross sales) X8% US$80,000 (retail loss)
Generally most retail businesses yearly loses are somewhere between the two examples of 1% and 8 %. Although your yearly gross sales will vary the percent figures will remain constant. Please note that Example 1 represents a business with strict inventory control, ongoing staff loss prevention training and a combination of security systems and strategies. Example 2 represents a company with little or no anti-loss policies.
Shoplift prevention is by far the best method of dealing with a growing problem and a well trained staff is an inexpensive and considered a highly effective method of reducing theft. Prevention is preferred over detection and apprehension because it is the most cost-effective manner of dealing with this growing problem. Prevention saves the retailer valuable time and money, it also saves the consumer. (For example: each consumer in the US and Canada pay's an estimated US$ 250 each year because of crimes against merchants) and it saves the local police and the court system. Everyone except the thief wins when preventable strategies are fully utilized.
Most seasoned shoplifters admit that they will usually move onto an easier target, when they encounter a staff that has been well trained in shoplifting prevention. Unfortunately many retail employees are inadequately trained in the prevention of retail loss and this is translates to a substantial monetary losses to retailers.
Information and statistics provided by the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP) a nonprofit organization that shapes, promotes and supports comprehensive community action in shoplifting prevention efforts…because shoplifting steals from all of us. Contact NASP at 800-848-9595 or visit www.shopliftingprevention.org.
