According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the cost of theft to retailers has reached an unprecedented level, surpassing £1 billion for the first time. Lord Foster of Bath, Chair of the Justice and Home Affairs Committee, commented that these figures represent “a drop in the ocean” when compared to the likely real figures inflicting devastating consequences on businesses and families nationwide.
In response to the shop theft crisis, Tesco has introduced keypad-opened cabinets in the alcohol aisles of over 50 stores. Designed to address rising theft while maintaining customer accessibility, these cabinets sound an alarm if left open for more than seven seconds and require customers to complete a four-step process on a digital touchscreen to unlock them. While Tesco has aimed to strike a balance between product interaction and security, frustrated customers have taken to social media to criticise the system, one labelling it as ‘’tyrannical,” prompting Tesco to deny rumours that the cabinets used facial recognition technology or captured photos of customers.
While investing in, and rolling out, advanced technology systems may appear to be the most logical and robust strategy for tackling in-store theft, Daryl Bedford, Sales Director at Harrison Retail, argues that point-of-sale loss prevention solutions, when implemented correctly, can be equally effective at deterring criminals by making theft more difficult. Retailers should avoid rushing into costly tech investments that could compromise customer shopping experience, especially when more affordable, bespoke loss prevention solutions are available.
“To effectively address theft and ensure comprehensive safeguarding of stock, retailers must employ a multi-layered loss prevention strategy that considers store layouts and fixtures. This goes beyond safeguarding stock using defensive merchandising but instead involves creating and tailoring a customer-friendly shopping environment where products remain secure yet accessible and visually appealing.
Poundland recently launched its “Against Retail Crime” initiative, which will soon see the discount store roll out communication headsets to all 800 UK shops and body cameras to those with the most significant crime issues. The initiative represents Poundland’s ongoing efforts to address theft and abusive behaviour, using bodycams as a visual deterrent and headsets as a communication tool to flag incidents as they occur.
“Rather than prioritising traditional security measures like security cameras and alarm tags, retailers should instead consider innovative shelf solutions specifically designed for the fast-paced retail environment,” added Bedford. “Smart point of sale alternatives, such as automated pusher systems that control stock retrieval or gravity risers that limit shelf access, help secure products while encouraging customer interaction.
“As theft becomes an increasingly ingrained challenge in the evolving retail landscape, retailers must look beyond quick fixes and costly tech and return to the fundamentals. This includes assessing vulnerabilities on the shop floor, whether that be product placement or operational inefficiencies. By understanding the unique challenges of each store, retailers can implement comprehensive, evidence-based loss prevention strategies that keep customers at the heart. Bespoke shelf solutions, including dispensers and risers, are great examples of solutions that simultaneously protect inventory and maintain a positive shopping experience for customers.”
