Shoplifting is an increasing problem in the United States. The National Retail Foundation estimated in their annual survey that “retail shrink,” which includes shoplifting, costed retailers $94.5 billion in 2022. So, what are retailers doing about shoplifting?
The Midwest department store Von Maur has a strict shoplifting policy. They employ a loss prevention team that aims to prevent shoplifting and catch any suspected shoplifters. Von Maur will not hesitate to apprehend shoplifters, call the police, and have the shoplifters charged criminally.
Keep reading to learn more about shoplifting and Von Maur’s approach to combating theft.
What Is Shoplifting?
First, let’s define what behaviors are considered shoplifting. In general, everybody knows that shoplifting means stealing. However, not all stealing is shoplifting. Shoplifting is defined by when the theft occurs.
The theft must occur during regular business hours to be considered shoplifting. Otherwise, the theft would be considered breaking and entering or burglary, not shoplifting.
Here are some common ways that people shoplift:
- An individual pretends to be a customer but may conceal merchandise in their pockets or purse and then leave the store without paying.
- Customers may also pay for some items, but not everything, which is still considered shoplifting.
- Customers may alter or attempt to alter the price of an item by switching hang tags or placing clearance tags on regularly priced items.
- Customers may switch clothes in the dressing room, leave their old clothes there and wear the new clothes out of the store.
Retail Shrink vs. Shoplifting
Retailers sometimes refer to “retail shrink” when they talk about shoplifting. However, these terms are not the same.
Retail shrink actually refers to many different types of profit loss including customer shoplifting, employee theft, damage, and point of sales error.
The National Retail Foundation reports that retail shrink is increasing and now costs retailers almost $100 billion per year. However, this increase is not necessarily due to an increase in shoplifting. The increase could be due to an increase in any or all of the issues that lead to retail shrinkage.
Is Shoplifting A Crime?
Shoplifting is a crime, but the type of crime will depend on your state law. You can find information about shoplifting charges in the theft or larceny section of your state laws. Typically the law will state a merchandise value threshold at which point the crime changes from a misdemeanor to a felony. The severity of the crime increases with the value of the stolen merchandise.
Can You Go to Jail for Shoplifting?
In some states, you can go to jail for shoplifting. If you get caught shoplifting, you may simply be asked to return or pay for the merchandise and leave the store.
However, there is always a possibility that the retailer will press charges. In fact, even if you return the merchandise, the store does have the right to press charges.
Some retailers do not want to spend the money to press charges, so they simply have you sign a document saying that you understand that you are banned from the store.
If the retailer does want to pursue criminal charges against you and they have proof that you shoplifted, then they can may the police and file a report.
If you are found guilty, then your punishment could be a small fine, jail time, or both. Your exact sentence would depend on the law in your state.
Read also >> What Happens If You Get Caught Shoplifting On Camera?
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How Do Stores Prevent Shoplifting?
There are many different tactics for preventing shoplifting. For example, you have probably seen signs that say “Smile you’re on camera!” The funny thing is that sometimes the store does not even have a camera. Often just the fear of being caught on camera is enough to stop someone from shoplifting.
Some retail stores have entire teams dedicated to preventing all forms of profit loss called loss prevention teams. If a retailer has a loss prevention team, then they will work behind the scenes and on the sales floor to prevent shoplifters.
Loss prevention officers may review cameras and identify repeat offenders so that the shoplifter can be stopped.
Alarm Triggering Security Devices
Another way that retailers prevent shoplifting is through security devices that trigger an alarm like magnetic clothing tags, spider wraps, and RFID tags. These items prevent customers from walking out of the store with any unpaid merchandise.
Magnetic clothing tags are typically attached to high-value or easy-to-steal clothing items. These tags are removed by the cashier when the customer pays for the item.
If the tag is not removed, then an alarm may go off at the door. These tags are also sometimes filled with ink that will ruin the garment if they are removed improperly.
Spider wraps are devices that wrap around boxes so that they cannot be opened. Spider wraps are typically used on high-value electronic devices to prevent a customer from removing the merchandise from the box.
They are removed by the cashier when the customer pays for the item. If the wrap is not removed, then an alarm will go off at the door.
Radio Frequency Identification tags, or RFID tags, are very small microchip stickers that can be stuck to merchandise. These stickers contain the SKU and price information for the item.
The sticker is automatically deactivated when it is scanned by the cashier. If someone leaves without paying for an item with an RFID tag, then the door alarm will go off.
Locked Items
Retailers also prevent shoplifting by locking valuable items. For example, some stores have entire shelves that are locked with clear plexiglass.
This allows customers to see the items, but an employee must come to get the item for the customer. Smaller stores may simply keep these items behind the register if they do not have a locking display.
What Is The Von Maur’s Shoplifting Policy?
The retailer does not have anything about their shoplifting policy on their website. However, searching for “Von Maur Shoplifting” results in many news articles about individuals caught shoplifting on camera. This indicates that Von Maur will call the police and provide evidence in a shoplifting case.
Von Maur does have a loss prevention team. This is not surprising considering that Von Maur is a high-end retailer that sells expensive jewelry, accessories, clothes, and more. A job description for a “Loss Prevention Associate” mentions that these associates are responsible for apprehending and detaining shoplifters.
One person shared their experience witnessing shoplifting at Von Maur. They said that the retailer has loss prevention officers in plain clothes who apprehended the shoplifters by surprise.
The individual also shared that the police were contacted and the shoplifters were arrested. The shoplifters were also banned from Von Maur stores for life.
These facts show that Von Maur takes shoplifting very seriously and will press charges against shoplifters. Since Von Maur sells so many expensive items, just shoplifting one item could result in a felony charge.
Security Measures at Von Maur
Although Von Maur has a loss prevention team, one former employee says that the retailer does not use common theft prevention devices like magnetic clothing tags.
This could be the reason that some people try to shoplift from Von Maur. However, judging by the number of police reports, it seems that Von Maur has been successful at catching shoplifters
Conclusion
Overall, Von Maur does everything they possibly can to catch shoplifters. They have been known to apprehend and detain suspected shoplifters, call the police, and press criminal charges in shoplifting cases. They have also banned shoplifters from Von Maur stores for life.