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Catch the Surge: Is Shoplifting Fear Overblown?

The recent surge of shoplifting cases around the world has raised many questions about if present-day security systems are adequate to protect against lawbreakers. Although the topic has been extensively discussed, it’s important to take an objective look at the facts before jumping to any conclusions.

Most of the evidence we have about shoplifting behavior spans several decades, making it difficult to identify any accurate trends. What we do know is that shoplifting tends to spike during periods of economic hardship. Based on this, it is reasonable to assume that the recent rise of finger-pointing towards shoplifting related to the pandemic is warranted.

However, there are instances when shoplifting alarm bells are unnecessarily ringing. For instance, many shoplifters tend to be opportunistic and will often target smaller-value items. When such items become harder to find due to panic buying or reduced stock, shops may falsely attribute a decrease in their bottom-line to shoplifting.

Additionally, in certain cases, businesses may simply attribute shoplifting or customer theft to any shortfall in their profits. It could be the result of many external factors which have nothing to do with illegal activities.

To further put things into perspective, it is worth noting that shoplifting does not always equate with robbers or thieves actively seeking to steal things. To illustrate, some people who shoplift may do so out of economic desperation or inadvertent shop protesting. This is why well-rounded security measures not only help in deterring shoplifters but also improve customer experience.

It is also important to note that shoplifting incidents typically involve only a small fraction of customers. Experienced retailers know to keep a watchful eye on personas who are likely to commit such crimes. The key is to pair customer service aspects with forensic-level security and monitoring to help businesses to curb shoplifting attempts.

In summary, it is essential to keep an open-mind when evaluating the recent reports of shoplifting around the world. The real truth lies in doing a risk/benefit analysis and having a robust plan in place to mitigate the risk. It is only then business will witness improved customer satisfaction and a decrease in shoplifting cases.