Theft is one of many ways that a company's profit margin can be negatively affected. While it is not always preventable, there are specific steps that business owners can take to minimize the risk. The best loss prevention tips include the installation of surveillance cameras and contracting uniformed security officers to monitor suspicious activity. Business owners should also be cautious when hiring new employees. Checking references, conducting background checks or utilizing other screening methods are important loss prevention tips to limit in-house theft.
Some retail establishments benefit from electronic merchandise tagging. Sensors can be affixed to various items, such as clothing, books, jewelry or other valuable goods. When customers wish to purchase an item, they bring it to the cash register and the sensor is deactivated when it is scanned at the point of sale. If the sensor is not removed or deactivated, it triggers an audible alarm when it nears the front door. Security and store personnel are then instantly aware that a shoplifting attempt may be occurring.
Even with surveillance cameras, security personnel and electronic tagging in place, it can be difficult to prevent shoplifting. Some thieves are just naturally adept at stealing. To minimize risk, loss prevention tips in a retail setting include strategic placement of cash registers and merchandise so that criminals have a harder time removing items from the store inconspicuously. Small, lightweight objects or expensive merchandise generally should not be kept close to exit doors.
To make a business less of a target for robberies, enclosed cashier areas are better than ones that are easily accessible to criminals. It is also a good idea to install panic buttons near the registers and other locations throughout the store. In case there is a robbery attempt, a store employee can press the button, which triggers a silent alarm, alerting authorities of a crime in progress.
In addition to preventing random shoplifting efforts, loss prevention tips are important to heed when deciding which potential employees to hire. Checking references may give business owners an insight into a person's previous experience and work ethics, but some companies take it a step further and require applicants to pass a drug test before offering employment. This hiring condition serves a number of purposes for a business.
Some employers feel that people who engage in illegal drug-use are more likely to steal cash or merchandise. For this reason, administering drug tests to applicants is one of the loss prevention tips that may prevent business owners from hiring people who may steal from them. Additionally, companies who drug test their employees frequently benefit from a reduction in insurance premiums.