Eliminating inventory discrepancies

In 2017, retailers lost 2.28 billion euros due to theft – a startling and alarming figure that indicates significant damage to the entire economy. Analysis of this topic has demonstrated that shoplifters make use of difficult-to-see corners or hectic moments in stores; checkout staff may be deliberately distracted so that entire shopping trolleys can pass through the till area unnoticed. Small goods which are easily stowed away, as well as mid-price alcoholic drinks that are monetised on black markets are particularly popular, with shoplifters less likely to take larger products. In the short- to medium-term, increasing the number of store staff and providing appropriate training can help fight against shoplifting. However, these staff-dependent measures are not particularly reliable, and can often result in delays to store operations, leading to decreased customer satisfaction. Innovation leader Wanzl, whose engineers continue to develop refined concepts to protect against shoplifting, offers effective solutions.

Security in the entrance area

Solutions that are effective without being unwelcoming can be put in place in-store, even at the entrance. Entrance systems such as the eGate prevent customers from leaving the store without passing through the checkouts. With the unauthorised exit acoustic alarm that is fitted as standard, the eGate offers the level of security you need, as the system remains closed when an attempt is made to leave the shop through the entrance, even if a customer wants to enter. The system’s swivel arms, which are available in different variants, ensure that the entrance is still perceived as inviting by customers. Attractive partitions such as Railix® also offer reliable protection against shoplifting, as the flexible acrylic glass elements close without leaving a gap. The wire grate has a mesh size of just 50 x 50 mm, so no goods can be smuggled out. The transparent glass means that the customer does not perceive the partition as a security measure, but instead sees an open design element. The Railix® Colour version pops in an array of colours with energy-saving LED lamps, ensuring coherent integration with the store’s corporate design. The result is a consistently high-quality environment on the shop floor.

Effective protection in the checkout area

The checkout area is always a high-performance zone. Here, shoplifters particularly rely on bustle and complexity to get past the checkout staff unnoticed. This makes it essential that the checkout area is clearly structured: checkout barriers that steer customer flows through the checkout zone in a targeted way are helpful, greatly minimising the risk of theft. From the Classic checkout barrier, which has been successfully tried and tested thousands of times, to the extremely secure Security checkout barrier, to the complete mGate® solution – Wanzl offers a solution for every store. The Security design is delivered with an extra-tall, climb-proof swivel arm as standard. A tall barrier shape is also available for the other barriers. In addition, the mGate® notifies staff if attempts are made to manipulate the barrier, and coordinates processes in the checkout area using the PRO checkout manager. Wanzl goods surveillance systems from Wanzl offer enhanced security. The radio-frequency or acoustic and magnetic systems are available to use with associated equipment such as labels, and trigger an alarm as soon as goods leave the store without being released. The Genesis checkout desk series available from September offers the possibility of integrating goods surveillance into the checkout counter – for invisible protection that is 100% reliable. Market leaders can also stay on the safe side with the “wanzl connect” open software platform, which analyses and controls all in-store activity, so the system immediately recognises suspicious behaviour in the checkout area. For example, if a customer leaves the shop via an unoccupied checkout, cameras record the process and the misconduct of the potential shoplifter is alerted via loudspeakers. In parallel, a silent alarm alerts security staff so they can react quickly.