Retail: Food & Drink Digital Looks at Security Threats to Food Retailers, from Outside and Within

Online, July 8, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Norwich, UK - Retailing loses total over £1.5 billion a year in the UK alone through theft. Food & Drink Digital talks to an industry leader about the steps retailers can take to protect themselves.

Darren Read knows about the problem of shoplifting. As Director of Retail Security for Securitas, a world leader in the field, Read has been involved in the security operations of some of retailing's biggest names.

"The biggest problem retailers have is that shoplifters are one step ahead," explains Read. "They'll install systems and security in lots of different forms, people, cameras, tagging systems, you name it. But if one retailer has the new advanced piece of kit the
shoplifters will move to the next retailer, then the next one until they all catch up and then it'll start again."

Read argues that the best tool, and biggest potential liability, a retailer has, is its staff. Unpleasant as it may seem, often the staff themselves can be potential thieves. "We find internal theft is as big a problem for the retailers as external shoplifting," Read
admits. "The staff problem is massive. When you're coming up to peak periods retailers will hire short term casual contracts people with very little screening or vetting, and that poses a great risk to their business."

Read the full article at http://www.foodanddrinkdigital.com/industry-focus/retailing/deterring-shoplifters-outside-and-within.