Security and Loss Prevention similar but not the same

If you are or work for a small to medium sized retailer with less than ten locations you may be thinking security and loss prevention are one in the same.  Most retailers that size do not have a loss prevention staff or even a program in place.  Many that I run into will respond, “I have a security system” when I ask about their loss prevention situation.  What they mean to say is “I have a burglar alarm.” 

A burglar alarm, known as a security system, is armed when the facility is closed and no one is in the location.  Just stating the obvious, when a protected point such as a door or window is breached it sets of the burglar alarm which triggers a string of events that will result in the police being dispatched to the location. 

Retail loss prevention will include a burglar alarm to protect assests when the facility is closed; however, most retail losses accur when the store is open.  Taking a look at other security and loss prevention solutions are CCTV (surveillance cameras).  CCTV systems are great for recording events where loss occurs so that you can retrieve the evidence for use in court etc…

An active loss prevention security solution is an EAS (Electronic Article Security) system such as Checkpoint Systems.  Checkpoint systems involve installing antennas at doors that detect anti theft devices that are placed on merchandise.  These anti theft devices are either pinned on or are labels that are stuck on.  When a shoplifter approaches an exit with merchandise that has not been paid for the Checkpoint system will alarm alerting staff of the issue.  This catches the shoplifting in the act, thus a Checkpoint system is considered an active  loss prevention security method.

For more information and or to learn about your options for protecting your merchandise visit:  security and loss prevention