Of course, protecting your investment in your inventory is an important priority. In a retail store, there can be lots of overlooked areas where theft can easily occur. Deterrent is the best way to prevent loss, so we are going to give you a few tips and tricks to help reduce loss in your store.

The first thing to think about is store layout. You want as few blind spots as possible. Try to have rows radiating from the area where employees are most likely to always be stationed. The cash register is normally a good starting point. Shoplifters need only a moment of privacy to conceal items in their clothing, purses or strollers. If they feel like they are out in the open, they are less likely to get comfortable enough to steal. Put large mirrors in areas that may be hidden from sight, like the backs of racks or small corners.

Another way to make shoplifters uncomfortable is to utilize lighting techniques. Studies show that shoplifters are much more comfortable stealing in dimly lit areas, such as corners and dressing rooms. Put special lighting, such as inset spotlights in these areas to illuminate them and give shoplifters an uneasy feeling of being watched. Simple signs about video surveillance or black ceiling domes that could house cameras are great deterrents as well.

The threat of surveillance or prosecution is nearly as effective as the real thing and much more inexpensive. Getting an alarm system that alerts you when tagged items leave the store can be too expensive for some smaller stores. The tags alone, however, are not expensive. Just having the security tags on the clothing can deter a shoplifter from even considering your store.

Your best asset and defense against shoplifters is your staff. Good customer service is the number one deterrent for shoplifters. Have your staff personally walk up and greet each person that enters. After a minute or two of browsing, have them reapproach the customer to ask if they need assistance. Getting attention is not what a shoplifter is after.

Monitor your dressing rooms. This is a very popular area for shoplifters to trick your employees. Lying about the number of items in their hand is very easy. Hiding items in between articles or placing more than one article on each hanger is very common and generally easy to get away with. Keeping your dressing rooms locked is an easy way to make sure that your employees are checking what is going in. Instruct them to take the clothing and personally count, separate and hang items inside the dressing room for each customer. The customer will just think that this is customer service, but really you are checking for hidden items. Shoplifters will simply choose another target if they think that your employees are being diligent about their jobs.

All of your store displays should be neat and organized to cut down on confusion in your store. Even your hangers can make a difference in deterring shoplifters. If clothes hangers keep items separated and neat, then it is more obvious when someone takes an item off of one or tries to double up merchandise before entering the dressing room. Go over your store with a cautious eye and you could reduce losses in your store.