Our flagship designer jewelry store has now been open for 8 months and we have learned a few things about shoplifters. Unfortunately, we’ve learned the hard way. I wanted to share some valuable techniques that we are using that have helped to minimize the occurrence of shoplifting in our store.
Notice Shoplifting Behavior:
a. comes into the store in a group
b. buys something inexpensive to throw you off and then steals something
c. comes in right before closing when you are distracted by end-of-day activities
d. comes in alone and gushes over the store and products then distracts you to look off and then grabs something.
e. grabs something off the counter that you might have forgotten to put away.
f. dressed to-the-nines in designer garb that is supposed to put you at ease.
The other thing we’ve learned is that it is a sickness. We know that people who can’t afford the jewelry aren’t the only ones stealing it. Many people who can afford the jewelry steal it as a game they play with themselves. Look at Lindsay & Winona!
Here’s what you can do to prevent shoplifting:
1. Blame only yourself is something is stolen. You can’t control the actions of others but you can control the environment so that they won’t feel comfortable stealing from you because they will sense from your behavior and security measures that you are onto them and their tactics.
2. You need to take control because you can’t stay paranoid all the time in a retail setting. It’s your responsibility to set your store up so that shoplifting is impossible.
3. Lock things up! We lock up most of the jewelry and the pieces we have out on stands are locked down by zipties. This is a very affordable solution and it has served us very well.
4. Lock up your backstock.
5. Install cameras in your store- we’ve got them and even though we do, we still lock everything up.
6. Speak to everyone who comes in the store and if someone acts suspicious make sure to stay close to them. Usually they realize that it is futile and will leave almost immediately.
There you have it! Here are some pix of how we do it!
-
-
Locking Table Cases
-
-
Ziptie Merchandise that is out-I went overboard here, but it was after someone stole a ring!
-
-
Use Zipties to secure necklaces and bracelets to T-Stands
-
-
Use locking showcases and keep them locked!
-
-
Lock Up Your Back Stock- we use tot-locks
I hope this helps someone out there who is worried about it. If you have any ideas, please post them here! We must all try to combat this awful behavior. If you are like we are and make your jewelry, it’s really disheartening as not only is it a financial loss, but it’s a loss of time and attention put into that piece. It’s like a little piece of your heart walks out the door, too! NO MORE!!! xx,jb
