IS THEFT ON THE RISE?

Jury is Split on Whether Shoplifting is a Bigger Problem Now

By Erica Kirkland

Most store owners know by now it’s the least suspecting people that will steal from your store – middle aged to older women, some with positions of prominence in the community who likely have a mental health problem. These thieves are normally caught out, but it’s the pervasive attitude among some people these days that they it’s their right to steal. And since there are very few consequences for those that actually do get caught, a brazen attitude has appeared among areas of the country. At least that is the feedback that we receive from our reporting stores. Is this your experience too?

“Shoplifting has become normalized,” says an Oregon retailer. “Both young and old take what is not theirs and have no remorse and also understand that they will probably not be caught or prosecuted.”

A multi-store retailer from Ohio concurs, writing, “Theft is pervasive and increasing from teenagers to grandmas. Everyone seems to feel entitled to my merchandise. And that's not even taking into account organized retail theft, which is particularly harmful in Bogg, Yeti and Kendra Scott jewelry.”

In New York a store owner writes, “It seems as if everyone is entitled and since there are rarely consequences they get a slap on the wrist and do it again. Never assume that cute looking grandmother is not a shoplifter or that that teen is not, “ she says. “Some days it is very disheartening.”

“Our little town had a rash of 5th graders that were stealing from all of us,” shares an Ohio store owner. “They knew what they were doing. They would divide and conquer. Sadly, I now have a sign on my door saying that no minors are permitted inside without a parent.”

She continues saying, “A thief can be a cute mom with a baby, a sweet old lady or even staff (ugh). Be aware of everyone and if someone says, ‘You act like I’m going to steal something,’ they could be your thief. A thief either wants to be alone or they’re super friendly to make you trust them. As soon as you walk away, it’s in their pocket!”

“I recently saw someone walk out with a shrug and a sling bag that I was pretty sure belonged to me,” says a store owner from South Carolina. “I followed her to the drug store and gave her a friendly greeting and stare. She freaked and started taking everything off and declaring it was an accident, lol. I told her I'd have to check all her bags and she complied. How crazy!”

“We caught three women stealing over $300 worth of merchandise last month,” shares a Wisconsin store owner. “We have 26 cameras which record. It took me 12 hours of switching between the cameras to discover exactly what the three women stole. The police only wanted footage of things I could prove they stole with the recorded footage. It was very stressful watching these three professional shoplifters stick my merchandise down their pants and under their armpits to conceal it. But, wouldn't you know it, the police knew who they were, contacted them, and their court date is set for November 14.”

How to Spot a Thief?

Store owners weighed on the various ways they’ve been successful in stopping and preventing shoplifting.

“We are cautious of spending too much time with an individual who may be asking a lot of questions while the person they entered with is making a tour of the store,” says a store owner from South Dakota. “This is especially important if there is only one staff member working in the store. It's easy to get caught up in answering questions and maybe pointing out different merchandise while another person pretends to be browsing, but is actually helping themselves to merchandise.”

“We try and great each customer as they enter the building so they know we see them and are paying attention to them,” says the Oregon store owner. “We also put high-end things like SPEKS at the cash register area so they can be watched carefully.”

The multi-store retailer from Ohio has instilled in his team an increased diligence along with investing in better camera systems. He says, “Watch for groups that spread out in order to distract you. This is indicative of organized theft. In this case, do not get ‘attached’ to just one person, usually the one asking lots of questions. It’s important to remain in a central position and address the entire group. We have also now banned groups of three or more under the age of 18 without parents on weekends, which helps to keep swarms of teenagers out of the stores. As for teens and grandmas, stay with them and observe carefully. We've always said that good customer service is the best theft deterrent, and by good I mean overbearing, lol.”

Every September an Ohio retailer organizes a security class that all local retailers can attend. “Our local police put it on for us,” she explains. “I also talk about theft with my staff a lot. I also have cameras and what I call the wall of shame in our back room with pictures of thieves we’ve had. Some we caught, some we didn’t.”

“We have cameras, but the best things you can do is have employees out on the floor with customers,” says a store owner from Massachusetts. “Even if you do, many employees do not want to confront thieves even if they just saw them put something in their pocket.”

A store owner from Tennessee has had serious issues with customers stealing Enewton jewelry. “Of course, we posted signs informing thieves they will be prosecuted and that we have cameras focused on them,” she says. “We have increased the number of employees we have each day and as soon as someone comes near the jewelry area, an employee stands near there to help them create a stack. Some customers love it and some hate it because they feel they are being watched which they are. It's a no-win situation.”

“We've installed several Wyze cameras throughout the store,” shares a store owner from Illinois. “They are cheap, give good picture quality, and are easy to monitor,” he says. “We're also have a firm rule that nobody should ever stand behind the counter until they are actively checking someone out, and they should greet and make eye contact with everyone.”

The store owner from Wisconsin who was successful in getting the police to prosecute recent cases of shoplifting, says, “We greet every customer as they come in the door. We have cameras. We have signage. We try not to have small merchandise in areas where it would be easy to steal. But none of that matters. If they want to take something they will find a way. Unfortunately I don't think it's going to get better. We just need to prosecute those we can and then move on for our own mental health.”