New England store owners lose billions of dollars annually in stolen merchandise. In Massachusetts alone, shrinkage due to shoplifting reached approximately one billion dollars last year. While the largest spike in shoplifting occurs during the holiday season, April is also a month in which shoplifting is more common, as youth are usually on spring break during this time.

The majority of shoplifting crimes are committed by people ages 35-54. However, approximately 25% of all shoplifters are under the age of 18. This means that your store needs to take extra precautions during the month of April, when teens are out of school and therefore have more opportunity to shop – and potentially shoplift.

If you want to protect your business from an increase in shoplifting, or if you’d like to work to eliminate instances of shoplifting, take a look at the following tips. These actionable pieces of advice can ensure that your business remains as profitable as possible this April and beyond.

Greet All Customers

Shoplifters want to go unnoticed. They seek to steal while employees aren’t looking. Set an employee by each entrance to greet customers as they enter and exit the store. This initial touchpoint is positive for customers as they feel seen and cared for, but also acts to discourage shoplifters, as they are immediately aware that they have the attention of an employee.

Circulate Your Employees

In addition to your door monitors, develop a strategy with your team to keep eyes on the entire store. Shoplifters will make their move when they feel they won’t be caught, which is hard when employees are regularly walking through the store to check on people. If the shoplifter feels that they can’t get away with the crime, they are far less likely to attempt.

Install a Security System

A video surveillance system is one of the best ways to both prevent shoplifting and to catch the shoplifter after the crime occurs. Retail locations without video systems are far more likely to experience burglary and shoplifting. It is imperative that your store have a solid surveillance and retail security strategy to reduce the likelihood of shoplifting and other crimes against your store.

Keep Commonly Stolen Items Locked Up

The most commonly shoplifted items might surprise you. If your store sells any of these, or if you sell high-ticket items, provide a barrier between the customer and the product. Look at your own history of lost goods and use that data to determine which of your store’s items need to have additional protective measures in place to deter potential shoplifters.

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