Profit improvement opportunities for retailers

By Francis C. Grau

850 Elkton Drive Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907

303-599-8887 or (Colorado l -800-942-4841 rN-wATS)

EETAILERS often find that security is a problem fI which occupies much of their time and cuts into profits. A review of procedures can reveal opportunities for improved security and protection. The following guidelines can be adapted to both selling and non-selling areas'

Yes No

(1) Are time and money expenditures for internal and external securitv made in relation to the degree ofrisk? tr n

(2) Do protection office personnel make frequent tours through the store to look for:

(a) Merchandise stocked or handled in a manner that would expose it to the risk of theft?

(b) Missing price tags?

(c) Price signs that do not agree with price tags?

(d) Unlocked or unattended rooms?

(3) Are items a-d above checked in:

(a) Stockrooms?

(b) Reserve-stock areas that are adjacent to selling areas?

(4) Are proper locks and screening used in all storage areas?

(5) Are locking devices frequently checked for state of repair? Locks onfixtures containing high-priced items should be continually checked, and sccess to these fixtures shou[d be limited to a smoll number of personnel.

(6) Are high-unit-value items counted nightly and before business hours in the morning? Discrepancies should be promptty investigated by the protection department.

(7) Are keys to trucks and other receiving receptacles issued only to authorized senders and receivers of merchandise?

(E) Are outside shopping services used in high-shortage areas?

(9) Are these deterrents to shoplifting used:

(a) Floor viewers, mirrors and other surveillance equipment in problem areas?

(b) "Regiscope" or similar equipment for customer refunds and check cashing?

(c) Conspicuous signs at or near exits warning that shoplifters will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law?

(d) Employee "plants" in high-loss areas?

(10) Is closed-circuit television used to improve the protection effort?

(11) Is security-related information exchanged with police, other stores and protection associations?

(12) Are sales personnel trained to protect sales and refund books from unauthorized use?

(13) Are employees who continually have cash overs and shorts shopped by outside shopping services?

(14) If it is determined that there is no theft problem, are these employees brought in for retraining? These cases should be reviewed with the personnel and security departments.

(15) Are night-shift workers properly supervised? Once the store is closed, both nightshift workers and regular personnel should be required to sign in and out of the building. After closing time, every person entering the building should hove prior authorization to do so.

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