Millions of dollars. Shoplifting is stealing and stealing is a crime. Every year proprietors and merchants in the retail industry suffer staggering losses due to shoplifting. Consequently, they must raise the cost of goods in order to compensate for their ?inventory shrinkage? due to the losses incurred by thefts. Therefore, it affects any Bermuda resident or visitor to the Island. How can you make a difference? Effective prevention begins with an aware and alert staff. They may be any age, sex, economic or ethnic background. Often they work in pairs or groups to divert the clerk?s attention while they steal. Shoplifters take advantage when employees are apt to be extra busy or less alert. For instance store opening and closing, during the lunch hour, dinner, shift changes or holiday periods. Alert employees can be your best defence.

Watch customers? faces. Shoppers look at merchandise. If they are looking at you or seem to scan the store, they usually need assistance or are thinking about shoplifting.

Watch for customers with loose, baggy clothing or other props such as newspapers, strollers and umbrellas as they can be used to conceal merchandise. Pay attention to open bags, knapsacks and handbags.

Be aware of customers who seem nervous or refuse assistance and be aware of customers who visit the store frequently but make only small purchases. Be alert for disturbances that distract attention (the distraction method).

Be cautious when customers ask you to check the stockroom.

be aware of people shopping in groups.

Advice for staff:

Good customer service. Acknowledge customers and offer assistance. Be courteous and attentive - shoplifters shun attention.

Awareness. Be aware of what?s going on in your store. Alert store personnel and/or security immediately react when any suspicious behaviour is observed.

Try to provide complete store coverage. Concentrate on the front door and particularly any blind spots in the store.

During hectic shopping periods, shoplifters take advantage of crowded stores and inexperienced personnel at peak selling hours. Ensure adequate staffing levels to cover peak hours.

Keep a general watch over the whole store and pay special attention to customers carrying large shopping bags or parcels.

Smaller items of high value, which are easy to conceal, should be kept in and you should the number of items taken out at any one time.

Large sections of the store should be left completely unattended as this is an invitation to shoplifters.

Shoplifters basically fall into five categories:

1. ? of whom there are few in Bermuda.

2.? who steal to support a habit.

3. ? who have a psychological compulsion to steal.

4. ? who shoplift for ?kicks?.

5. ? who may be tempted to shoplift on occasion for differing reasons. They are the largest single group.