Title: Shoplifting Policies and Procedures for Retailers
Headings: Shoplifting Policies and Procedures for Retailers
Shoplifting Policies and Procedures for Retailers
Stopping a Shoplifter
Know the Law

Content: Shoplifting Policies and Procedures for Retailers
Retail Small Business Loss Prevention
Shoplifting Policies and Procedures for Retailers
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Matthew Hudson wrote about retail for The Balance Small Business, and has almost three decades of experience in the retail industry. Read The Balance's editorial policies
Matthew Hudson
Updated September 14, 2018
It is important to create policies and procedures for shoplifting in your retail store. While we all hope it will never happen in our stores, the statistics say it probably will. A 2014 National Association of Shoplifting Prevention (NASP) study finds that 1 in 11 people in the US is a shoplifter. No solid "profile" exists as men and women, old and young; all colors, creeds, and races commit this crime equally. Because statistics prove shoplifting to be such a common occurrence, retailers and staff should be prepared to handle it when it happens. Take the following questions into consideration when writing your shoplifting policies and procedures : Is your goal to prosecute or get the merchandise back? Does your store have a zero-tolerance policy for shoplifting?