As we surge through the remaining 26 days of 2013 it’s important to take a moment to digest what we’ve learned over the last 365; only then can we craft an effective plan of attack for 2014. Year after year, the holiday season has proven to make or break the retail industry and the reputation of their loss prevention departments. Take a look at some of the highlights we’ve seen so far during the 2013 holiday season, and what to expect next year.
Holiday Season Trends
Customer Engagement
The arduous task of creating a compelling in-store experience is increasingly important. In an attempt to increase customer engagement, marketers are experimenting with new tactics and showrooming. They are finding that “the real challenge for retailers is bringing more of the digital experience into the store and arming store associates with as much information as consumers walking into stores with smartphones of their own, so checkout – taking payment – is sort of the last thing that retailers are worrying about. Unlike the last time retailers explored mobile POS, the objective isn’t line-busting – it’s customer engagement.” Via Mobile Commerce Daily
Keeping Brick & Mortar Relevant
In an ever-expanding digital world, mall owners and operators are at a tipping point. They’re seeking formats and ideas to reestablish the relevancy of their properties and reverse declining traffic trends. “Traditional shopping centers have to rethink their layouts because the consumer today has limited time. That’s why the internet is so popular [regarding ecommerce].” Via Women’s Wear Daily
Flash-Mob Robberies
Retailers around the country are gearing up for the holiday shopping season amid fears that a spate of brazen “flash” robberies in Chicago earlier this month could be part of a greater trend of social-media spawned crime. Via NewsMax
Loss Prevention Strategy & Tactics During the Holidays
Loss Prevention – Crowd Management
In preparation of the rush of holiday shoppers (an estimated 140 million Americans), NRF recently released its 2013 Crowd Management Guidelines. They outline how retailers can prepare for the holiday season crowds. Via LP Information
Loss Prevention – Collaboration
Every day, malls around the country work closely with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FBI and state and local law enforcement to keep shoppers safe. This year, the DHS is partnering with a number of communities across the state of New Hampshire as part of their “If You See Something, Say Something™” campaign and displaying materials encouraging shoppers to report suspicious activity to local authorities. Via Department of Homeland Security
Loss Prevention – A Trip Down Memory Lane
Many loss prevention managers will be on the lookout for shoplifters over the upcoming weeks. As any loss prevention manager and he/she will easily be able to tell you about their first heart-pounding shoplifting encounter. Check out Greg Saputo’s story from the era of disco and platforms shoes. Check out this video
Via This is Retail
Organized Retail Crime Statistics
of retailers say they were victims of organized retail crime in 2012
$34.5 billion lost in retail shrink
$15-30 Billion a year lost to cargo theft
Via LP Information
Innovations & Forecasting
Increased Data Security
American Express, MasterCard and Visa are banding together to protect the consumer’s sensitive data and the future of their businesses. The three companies recently announced an initiative to form a new global standard in payment security. Via Daily Finance
Improved Technology
of Retailers have or will have mobile point of sale within the next two years. Via This is Retail
of Restaurant Owners say they’ll invest more in technology in 2014. Via This is Retail
Increased Cargo Security
With so many variables in the way cargo theft may occur, multiple layers of security are clearly necessary. And, with technologies becoming more compact, more powerful and more affordable, businesses are investing in GPS tracking devices and other security devices to tackle a multi-billion-dollar, industry-wide problem. Via Long Beach Business Journal
How will your organization use this information to their advantage in 2014?
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