For outdoor adventure clothing and gear, it’s hard to beat REI. They carry a wide selection of outdoor equipment that you can’t find anywhere else and of course, as a result, loss prevention strategies are a very real concern. So, what is the REI Shoplifting Policy and how is it enforced?
REI’s shoplifting policy is enforced by a combination of surveillance cameras, electronic tagging, security officers, and security-conscious employees. In some cases, higher-end items may also be secured so that assistance must be asked for to look at them. Overall it’s an effective, but fairly casual security framework.
In today’s article, we’re going to take a look at the REI Shoplifting policy by giving you a rundown of the components involved. If you’re wondering how it all comes together, then read on and we’ll tell you all about it!
Understanding the REI Shoplifting Policy – A Breakdown of What’s Involved
REI likes to ensure that its security is not aggressive to the point where customers will feel uncomfortable. Employees are typically chosen for their love of the outdoors and knowledge in this regard so that shoppers can have an almost ‘social’ interaction when they come to REI’s to look for their gear.
Still, every retail company needs a strategy to minimize loss, so that they can keep prices low and profit enough to make the business successful.
In the sections below we’ll tell what we know about the facets of REI security and how they all work together to help minimize employee theft and shoplifting.
Surveillance cameras
Surveillance cameras are to be expected these days. After all, the city has them on the street, most stores (even mom-and-pop varieties) have cameras, and you’ve probably got a very fancy camera on your own cellphone.
REI is no different in this regard, so cameras are placed throughout the store so that customers may be monitored while they shop and employees can be on the lookout for suspicious behaviors.
With any surveillance-centric approach, the ‘double whammy’ of being watched is that you are ALSO being recorded, and footage obtained may be stored for a period of time as little as 90 days or perhaps as much as 2 -3 years.
This all depends on the corporate data retention policy, which may vary from store to store based on risk and available hard drive space on local and remote servers.
While it doesn’t happen due to the time involved in reviewing footage, this security method does mean that a suspicious person who visits the store often but buys nothing or very little might well warrant a closer look at the footage.
If suspicious behaviors or actual shoplifting is observed, then typically the surveillance will be shared with police, and security officers at the store will be shown a picture of the suspect to watch out for.
Electronic tagging
REI uses electronic tagging on some of its clothing and other items as another deterrent to shoplifters. While some stores utilized RFID-style transponders to allow for in-store tracking of an item, REI does not take things to these lengths.
Instead, they employ the standard electronic tagging that will set off an alarm if an item that has been tagged passes through the security arches by the exit.
Removal of these tags is handled by cashiers, typically by means of a special tool that helps to ‘unlock’ the tag so that it may be taken off of the item.
This deters shoplifters, as removal of the tags without these tools can be difficult, and simply pulling it off may damage some items such as clothing where the tag has been placed.
Security officers
Security officers will typically be present, although in most cases it will be one guard at the door and possibly, another guard may be inside the store or watching the surveillance cameras.
The number will really depend on the amount of risk associated with the location, as well as the expected shopper volume, and holidays also tend to be more densely staffed to deal with the large increase in customers (and, of course, potential shoplifters!
These security officers will typically not interface with customers until they attempt to leave the store, although they might be called in if someone is making trouble or is one of the officers sees suspicious behavior then they will alert the guard by the door.
While they will typically not touch or chase a customer, there is a high likelihood that they may follow someone from a distance if they attempt to flee from questioning. At this point, they will simply help the officers on the way so that they will have a better idea of where the suspect is so that they may apprehend them.
If the suspicious individual flees in a vehicle, then likely a picture will be taken of their plates and the information written down as well to help ensure that they are caught at a later time.
Employee training
Employees are trained to look for suspicious behaviors. Commonly, before a customer is accused of shoplifting, certain behaviors must be observed by the employee or security officer.
At it’s most basic, they need to see that someone has taken interest in an item, removed it from the shelf or hanger, and then attempted to conceal it in some way. After that, they must be observed not paying for the item and attempting to leave the store before they will be questioned by the guard.
Employees will NOT confront someone, although if they notice behavior such as someone bringing an excessive amount of items into a changing room, they have been instructed to make themselves known by asking if they need help.
In many cases, letting the shoplifter know that they are being watched is enough to deter them, of course, that will not always be the case.
Read Also >> How Often Are Security Cameras Checked? (Surveillance + More)
Read Also >> What Happens If You Get Caught Shoplifting On Camera?
Some items require assistance to access
A final link in the security chain is restricted access to certain items. For example, when winter is arriving, let’s say that REI has some nice new and rugged outdoor jackets that are quite lovely and also a bit higher priced.
In a case like this, then a locking cable may be run through the clothing so that it may be seen hanging normally, but a customer that wants to try one on will need to ask for assistance.
This is more effective than you might think – a common shoplifting tactic is simply ‘yanking’ an item down and making a run for it, and by slowing down the process and requiring someone to ask an employee for insistence, the risk of being recognized later is increased and many shoplifters will think twice.
What will happen to me if I am caught shoplifting at REI?
If you are caught shoplifting at an REI, then there are a few different possibilities as to what might happen. Usually, the Security officer will talk with you and ask you to return the item, and at this point, the police may or may not be called.
Banning from the store is also a possibility and sometimes with minors, they may collect your information and contact your parents to come pick you up.
It will really vary from store to store and some will definitely be more aggressive than others, but if you are arrested then it’s not a small thing at all – you could be charged with a misdemeanor, fined $1000 or more, and jail time and community service are also commonly included depending on state and local laws.
In closing
In this article, we’ve explored the REI shoplifting policy to give you a better idea of how it is enforced and what to expect.
While it’s not the most aggressive policy, you should keep in mind that between security tags, surveillance footage, and both standard and security employees keeping an eye on the store, there is still a very good chance that you might get caught.
Even if you are not identified right away, police commonly keep and post photos publicly to help ensure that they eventually get you, and you can see an example of that from REI and Boston police here.
So, while you might make it out the door if you shoplift from REI then you are risking serious fines, jail, and more – and eventually, you’ll have to pay the piper!