Shoplifting On the Rise

When the financial market gets more volatile, we tend to see a rise in more irritable or volatile customer behaviors—and that includes theft. In fact, our recent frontline poll found that 50% of retail and grocery associates have witnessed a theft or attempted theft in the past six months. Unfortunately, our research found that associates don't have the right support, resources and tools to know how to navigate these difficult and tense interactions. Even beyond the procedures and protocols, associates are looking for training and resources to help them hone their soft skills, like empathy, to help them during these difficult financial times. So even with surveillance technology and other loss prevention protocols in place, retailers are at risk if they're not enabling their most valuable asset: their people.

Carol Leaman

President, Co-Founder & CEO, Axonify.