If you go to any loss prevention show, you know shoplifting prevention is always a hot topic. According to the most recent Jack L Hayes theft survey, more than $159 million was recovered from shoplifters in 2014.

No wonder shoplifting prevention is top-of-mind!

While at loss prevention shows, we are regularly asked, “What products do you recommend to aid in shoplifting prevention?’

Here are the top four products that will make shoplifting from your establishment much more difficult.

Shoplifting Prevention: The Options

Exit Alarms

If you were trying to sneak out with something, would you knowingly go out a door that had an alarm?

If shoplifting prevention is something you struggle with, exit alarms are a must. They will draw immediate attention and will  your loss prevention team to catch or identify the perpetrator.

There are two types of exit alarms: One is integrated into the exit device itself, and one is an auxiliary piece of hardware. There are pros and cons to each type of device.

However, if budget is a concern, consider wall- or door-mounted exit alarms. These are substantially less expensive than alarmed exit devices.

Delayed Egress

If you want to take shoplifting prevention one step further, check with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to see if delayed egress is allowed in your area.

While an exit alarm will allow you to go after a perpetrator, delayed egress will typically allow you to stop the would-be thief from leaving the premise.

When a delayed egress device is activated, an alarm will sound. The door will automatically unlock after a preset period of time—often 15 seconds.

It’s important to note there are a host of code restrictions around delayed egress devices, and they may be approved in some jurisdictions but denied in others. Again, you need to check with your local AHJs to gain approval.

Cabinet Locks

Ideally, you can prevent someone from gaining access to your products in the first place. This is where cabinet locks come into play.

For any high-value merchandise, secure it in a cabinet and install the appropriate type of cabinet lock.

Yes, it may inconvenience store personnel some when they have to unlock the cabinets, but I bet you’d rather that than see thousands of dollars of inventory disappear each year.

Master Key Systems

If internal shoplifting prevention is a struggle for your organization, master key systems are a great option.

Master key systems allow different levels of access to different areas within your facility. For example, if you have a cash office, you probably don’t want your stockers to have access.

With a master key system, your store manager could have a key that accesses every lock in the building, while your stockers could have a key that only accesses the stockroom.

While these are our top recommendations, there are a number of different solutions to aid with shoplifting prevention. If you need help selecting the best solution for your organization, let us know. We are happy to help identify products to best fit your needs.