Loss Prevention/Asset Protection in decline

[LPAjh9558]

If this has been discussed in another thread I apologize:) I've noticed recently around where I live in OKC that LP/AP seems to be on a decline. I tend to think that some of this is due to the change in times. But I've also noticed that a lot of it has to do with the individual company that employs us. We recently lost our AP associate at the store where I work and just found out that he won't be replaced:( I was hoping to get the position:rolleyes: In any case, I had it explained to me that the decision was based on the stores overall "shrink" and didn't include what was going out the door!

On a side note. We lost $400 in power tools to a guy yesterday on 2 seperate trips into the store!
Just wanted to see what everyone's thoughts were on this subject......thanks.

[sneakybstrd]

As times get tighter in the current economy, some companies trim what they can. Although logic would say in tough times, theft increases, therefor LP is more important, but since LP doesn't usually generate a profit and isn't an operational necessity it sometimes gets trimmed first.

Some companies, your included, are trimming excess "fat," but aren't getting rid of LP, just redistributing. Stores with high shrink will continue to have floor LP, stores that aren't seeing high enough shrink (at each company has their own magic number) get their LP trimmed or transferred to other stores.

Lately, there has also been a redistribution of LP investigators in some companies to focus on ORT and multi store internal investigations (say...regionals).

Sit tight, LP isn't going away. Some areas and companies might trim back until the thieves figure it out and dig in more.

[Aussie-SO]

I work in a shopping center here in Australia and was surprised to hear from staff at Coles that a memo had been received from head office directing staff that bag checks where to be stopped immediately.

In a time where interest rates are soaring, petrol prices are going through the roof and the general cost of living has everyone skrimping and saving to make ends meet, I was shocked that this directive had been put in place.

Low and behold within the first month of its implementation the store recorded an all time high shrink loss.

This because the new CEO of Coles did not like the look of staff asking and then checking customers bags.

I wonder how long it will be before the low lifes who frequent the store realize changes have been made and that they basically have permission to walk in fill up their back packs and walk out again without fear of being checked. :eek:

[Aust-SecMan]

Aussie there is more to that than meets the eye mate, on a director’s visit to a store in QLD one of the directors was challenged by a staff member about his bags and the Policy change is a result of the embarrassment to this very self important man, claiming he was degraded by the policy ... so out it went. Myer have had this same policy for some time but I believe its due to a litigation case.

How ridiculous.

[Chimpie]

We recently lost our AP associate at the store where I work and just found out that he won't be replaced:( I was hoping to get the position:rolleyes: In any case, I had it explained to me that the decision was based on the stores overall "shrink" and didn't include what was going out the door!

On a side note. We lost $400 in power tools to a guy yesterday on 2 seperate trips into the store!
Just wanted to see what everyone's thoughts were on this subject......thanks.

If you're working in a store and you are losing or have lost your LP/AP personnel, then it is up to you and your coworkers to use 'strong customer service' on suspicious people.

'Strong Customer Service' means that you go up to them, ask them if they need help finding anything, talk about the product their looking at... just let him know that you know he's there.

[Curtis Baillie]

If you're working in a store and you are losing or have lost your LP/AP personnel, then it is up to you and your coworkers to use 'strong customer service' on suspicious people.

'Strong Customer Service' means that you go up to them, ask them if they need help finding anything, talk about the product their looking at... just let him know that you know he's there. An age old - tried and true method. Who knows, the store just may sell more merchandise.

[LPAjh9558]

If you're working in a store and you are losing or have lost your LP/AP personnel, then it is up to you and your coworkers to use 'strong customer service' on suspicious people.

'Strong Customer Service' means that you go up to them, ask them if they need help finding anything, talk about the product their looking at... just let him know that you know he's there.


An age old - tried and true method. Who knows, the store just may sell more merchandise.

Strong "customer service" is something that gets emphasized daily;) I sometimes even find myself talking with other associates about asset protection and what it involves. Just an update......
I did find out that the AP position in our store is still open so who knows:D