Picture this: you're in a store, trying to quickly grab a bottle of cold medication to ease your aches and pains, but it’s locked behind a glass case. You press a button and wait for assistance to no avail—leaving you frustrated and questioning if you’ll return to this location. This scenario is all too common as retail theft continues to rise. While businesses increase security to protect their products, customers often bear the brunt of the inconvenience—leading to negative shopping experiences.
Retailers are left with a dilemma: how do you prevent theft without making customers feel like they’re navigating a high-security zone? In this article, you’ll discover how retail security measures are evolving in a way that will help you protect your business while maintaining an enjoyable customer experience. We’ll talk about:
Retail theft is a growing concern for businesses across North America. In both the U.S. and Canada, financial losses due to retail theft—commonly referred to as shrinkage—are hitting retailers hard, forcing them to find new ways to protect their businesses without sacrificing the customer experience.
In the first half of 2024, retail theft in the U.S. was up 24% according to a July report by the Council on Criminal Justice. Retailers are seeing more bold and coordinated attempts at theft ranging from shoplifting, to employee theft, and organized retail crime (ORC), which together led to stores losing $121.6 billion to retail theft in 2023 alone.
In Canada, the situation is just as stark. According to the Retail Council of Canada, theft accounts for about $5 billion in losses annually, amounting to roughly 1.8% of all retail revenues in the country. As a result, businesses are searching for creative ways to strengthen their retail security and keep criminals at bay.
In the UK, retail theft has reached alarming levels. According to the British Retail Consortium’s 2024 Crime Survey Report, the total cost of retail theft surged to £1.8 billion during the 2022-2023 fiscal year, nearly doubling from the previous year. With over 45,000 theft incidents occurring each day, retailers are facing a crisis that not only affects their bottom line but also leads to a sharp increase in violence and abuse toward retail workers. The BRC survey revealed that there are now 1,300 violent or abusive incidents every day—many involving racial abuse, threats with weapons, and physical assault. Despite increased spending on security, businesses are calling on the UK government to introduce stronger protections for retail staff.
In Australia, the industry is similarly plagued. Across nearly 700,000 retail crime events recorded by Australian retailers in the year ending April 2024, 16% involved threatening or violent behaviour. During the 2024 Retail Crime Symposium, Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra highlighted that retail crime has become one of the industry’s most pressing issues, with devastating impacts on both businesses and their employees.
Retailers have tested many strategies to deter theft—however, many of these methods come with their own set of challenges and can end up creating a less-than-ideal shopping experience. As CBS News aptly puts it: “As businesses invest in anti-theft technology to deter criminals, consumers express frustration at the many products, from toiletries to snacks, that they now find locked up on store shelves.”
Here are some of the most common retail security measures stores are using today:
While these theft prevention methods can certainly help, and retailers can and should use them where it makes sense, overly strict security measures—like locked doors or guards—can make customers feel uncomfortable, frustrated, or even unwelcome. So, what’s the solution?
Given the challenges that come with traditional theft prevention strategies, retailers are starting to look for more effective, customer-friendly solutions. That’s where Patronscan’s ID Verification Access Control (IVAC) system comes in.
IVAC offers a smarter way to protect high-theft or age-restricted products without creating barriers for customers. It quietly verifies IDs and grants access to age-gated items—like alcohol or tobacco—in a secure, frictionless way, allowing retailers to safeguard their business while keeping the shopping experience smooth.
Here’s how it works:
Whether you need to manage unmanned entry points or control access to age-restricted areas, IVAC delivers a reliable, frictionless way to enhance security and meet compliance standards while maintaining convenience for your patrons.
Here are some real-world scenarios demonstrating how IVAC can be applied:
Scenario: Imagine a busy nightclub or age-restricted retail store. The IVAC system eliminates the need for staff to directly reject non-validated (fake) IDs. Instead, the system handles the rejection automatically, removing the staff from potentially uncomfortable or confrontational situations. This not only protects the staff but also helps maintain a positive, unbiased experience for customers.
These are just a few examples of how IVAC can enhance your security, compliance, and customer experience in your retail stores.
From cannabis dispensers and liquor stores to pharmacies and convenience stores—identity verification is changing the way retailers approach security to keep employees and customers safe and satisfied. Curious if it could be a fit for your retail business? Learn more about the solution and request a demo today.