One of the biggest challenges retailers face today is implementing loss prevention measures that are both effective and invisible to paying customers. Shrink is a growing issue, but retailers also need to ensure that their security measures do not create friction in the shopping experience, as this can alienate honest customers and damage brand loyalty.

At Gatekeeper Systems, our approach with the Purchek® pushout theft prevention solution is to strike this balance by using technology that specifically targets non-paying individuals while leaving paying customers undisturbed. The system identifies shopping cart behaviors that signal potential theft—such as attempting to exit the store without paying—without subjecting every shopper to invasive checks or security interventions. This ensures that the vast majority of customers, who are shopping legitimately, aren’t inconvenienced by receipt checks or made to feel untrusted by excessive security presence.

What we’ve found is that when loss prevention measures are too visible or overly aggressive, they can create an atmosphere of distrust or even fear, which is the opposite of what retailers want to foster. With our Purchek® technology, we’ve focused on creating a frictionless solution that helps retailers address shrink while maintaining a positive, seamless customer experience where shoppers feel safe, respected, and trusted. This balance is key to the future of loss prevention.