It is that time of year again, when shoppers and shoplifters converge on our retail outlets looking for that all-important deal or steal. It’s also a critical time to ensure that your loss prevention plans are in place, up to date, and ready to tackle the upcoming holidays. Covert Results has done the research and been able to do some first-hand work protecting businesses during this holiday season.
According to a recent survey, the holiday season generates 34 percent of annual sales for retailers but also accounts for 37 percent of annual losses – representing a $6 billion dollar problem for retailers during the holidays alone. Of those losses, the biggest source comes from shoplifters at 36.5 percent, according to the 2017 National Retail Security Survey, although employee theft is still a huge problem, particularly during this time.
So what are the best holiday loss prevention tips during this critical time of the year? One needs to start looking at some loss prevention technology. Some of the more effective loss prevention solutions encompass video, video analytics, cash control and Point of Sale (POS) exception monitoring systems. Staying with the technology theme, the next area of focus should be protecting your digital assets. At a time when consumers are as likely to shop online as in-store, protecting your networks and websites are as important as protecting your brick-and-mortar locations.
But what is the best way to protect your physical locations? Covert Results has been asked to conduct uniformed security at numerous locations in the Middle Tennessee area. Recently, many businesses, not just the big box retail have seen an uptick in thefts that have caused an escalation in violent acts on employees or loss prevention officers. Our off duty police officers and highly trained armed security officers have been able to minimize such threats and loss prevention for those stores all while protecting people and property.
Our security experts are not only showing physical presence by providing a uniformed officer, but have also consulted with staff to better combat the rampant loss prevention. For instance, one of our officers has noticed a female attempting to steal a high priced item. After assessing the situation, our officer was the best fit to confront the thief. He proceeded to have a calm conversation with the female rather than wait for her to exit the store and make an arrest. Tactics such as this have worked in the past and this incident resulted in the thief returning the stolen item, leaving the premises and being banned from ever returning.
We are not only providing a uniformed armed guard to stand around and possibly deter crime. Our trained experts are always alert and know how to deescalate the situation to keep not only the employees but patrons in the store safe. Covert Results is a private investigations and armed security company with 100+ years of experience. Our team is highly trained investigators and security experts who are well versed in all types of investigations and security matters. We now have two dedicated offices, one in Nashville and one in Clarksville. For questions about private investigations, professional armed security, handgun training, or consulting please email, call, or visit our website.
contact@covertresults.com 615-861-1680 Covertresults.com
