ADT Survey Shows Retail Theft is Down

2 January, 2009

ADT Security sponsors an annual survey that monitors the various forms of retail theft, and this year results show theft is down, for the sixth year in a row. The range of theft can include shoplifting, administrative error, employee theft, and vendor fraud. The National Retail Security Survey is conducted by the University of Florida, and this year the results show the lowest rate of loss in the entire history of the survey, for seventeen years.

The National Retail Manager of ADT Security Australia, Phil Brown, said this is downward trend is likely a result of retailers who invest in anti-shoplifting and anti-theft technologies for long-term. He added that this also was likely the result of better anti-theft training.

Other portions of the survey showed an increase in investments in technologies. These technologies could even include CCTV Internet-based monitoring systems. Systems like this allow for multiple camera angles and views, all done remotely through the Internet. This way, retailers can get a better idea of what is happening in real time, and view it all on an employee level.

One area that is still being improved upon is that of organized crime. This is more systematic than simple shoplifting, and can involve individuals or groups of people who steal large quantities. This theft can occur in warehouses, during transit, at distribution, and other ways as well. It is believed that organized retail crime is up by 19 percent, and is just now beginning to be more recognized.

This serves as a reminder that though retail theft is down, constant vigilance is required to make retail safe.