As part of the RSA entry – which I’m hastily trying to pull together (hence the late hour of this post!) – I’m required to deliver a five hundred word headshot of a statement on my proposal. Although you’ve not seen my final proposal, I thought I’d give you a sneak peek at how I’m selling my concept to the competition.
“Stoplifting is a proposal designed to reduce shrinkage amongst small retailers, by enhancing the pre-existing abilities of retail staff to defend their store against theft.
Current loss-prevention methods are based around high-investment propositions – the use of security staff, CCTV systems, electronic stock tagging, and ultimately, the acceptance of theft as a quantifiable cost for retailers. For larger stores, the incorporation of these methods and margins to account for theft offer a satisfactory situation, whereby theft is neutralised, even if shoplifting is not always prevented – for smaller stores, margins may not be large enough to allow these options.
For all retailers, their key asset in fighting shoplifting is the physical presence of employees; a fact supported by staff and shoplifters alike. Experienced workers know the items at the highest risk of theft, can identify habitual thieves, and vitally, can recognise suspicious behaviour. While traditional electronic methods of loss prevention work, they are overly reliant on single-role security personnel, and draw attention to regular staff at too late a stage. Once a shoplifter flees with a tagged item, what use is an alarm to a shop worker serving behind the till?
Stoplifting is more than simply a product-based solution to this situation. At its heart, the proposal suggests that loss prevention should be focused much earlier in the shoplifting process, enabling regular staff to be made aware of potentially suspicious activity in the store before thieves have the chance begin their escape, ultimately discouraging shoplifting. This can be accomplished by drawing attention to high-risk items – those known by staff to be in greatest danger of theft – through the use of sound. Simply by alerting employees to attention being directed at these items, the concept increases their awareness through an audible alert that offers them a chance to evaluate the immediate risk of theft.
As an example, the display proposal would be manufacturer-supplied as a point-of-sale unit to the shop (items commonly distributed to retailers). With the item inside identified as high-risk, its release is achieved by a mechanism that creates a uniquely identifiable sound – out of place in the retail environment, with a long duration, and no negative connotations for innocent shoppers (unlike current false-alarms from tagged goods). Determined shoplifters are deterred by potential noise, and casual shoplifters by the presence of visible security, while customers are presented with a satisfying method of dispensing the product. The design makes it suitable for numerous goods, simply by altering the construction dimensions – the modular nature of the unit makes it ideal for displaying large ranges of one product, whether make-up or marker pens, and keeps suitable stock levels in the display at all times.
Essentially, Stoplifting suggests both a new direction for future loss prevention, as well as a clear example of how it can be achieved. While the growth of shoplifting can be stemmed by large-scale security investment, small retailers must be given the opportunity to achieve this goal, even when facing budgetary constraints.”
So there you go. Currently finalising the presentation of the idea in time for the deadline!
Item is wrapped in display straps, preventing removal without opening as directed
Customer can then remove the item simply by pulling down on the tab, as indicated.Velcro tabs beneath the straps are pulled apart, and the retailer is alerted to the removal of the item.
With the velcro tabs released, the product straps are loosened enough that the product can be slipped out of the loops, and taken to the till.
StopLifting 
