Retailers across Canada are looking for solutions to the growing retail theft problem affecting thousands of businesses nationwide. A report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business found that the percentage of Canadian small businesses directly affected by crime and safety issues has jumped from 24% in 2023 to 45% in 2024. Moreover, the Toronto Police has estimated that Organized Retail Crime (ORC) costs businesses $5 billion annually.
While these figures may be alarming, businesses are not without recourse. As retailers plan for 2025, preventing ORC with a robust retail security strategy should be a top priority. Today, we’re sharing key information about how security guards identify potential ORC subjects of interest. Watch our video below:
1. Grabbing Multiple Items
Security guards will be alert for unusual behaviour when customers selecting products and removing them from shelves. Shoplifters often head straight to their target aisle to steal goods, without regard for the number of items they’re taking. Amir Anvarizadeh, National Training & Development Manager at Blackbird Security, shares, “Without attention to the number of products, the subject conceals multiple items in their bag.”
As using personal shopping bags instead of store carts or baskets is often against store rules, any person placing unpurchased items inside a personal bag should be calmly, professionally, and immediately informed of the rules.
2. Direct Eye Contact With CCTV Cameras
Another key suspicious behaviour is a customer looking directly at CCTV cameras. Amir says, “Multiple times you’ll see the subject, for example, grabbing the product or selecting the product looking at the CCTV. He’s worrying that maybe there’s a CCTV operator doing the surveillance duty in that property.”
Depending on the store, there may not be a dedicated security guard on duty monitoring live CCTV footage. However, this is not something shoplifters are aware of, which can be helpful for security guards in identifying subjects of interest.
3. Bulky Clothing With Pockets
Along with behaviour, a key consideration that retail security guards monitor for is clothing. Shoplifters sometimes wear jackets with multiple pockets which allow them to conceal stolen goods. Amir notes, “You’re going to see if the subject wanted to make himself not visible to the security professional or not visible to the CCTV operator.” Shoplifters will wear garments that conceal their face and build, such as face coverings, hoods, long sleeves, and puffer jackets.
Since winter months can last well into the year, especially in colder climates like Toronto, legitimate customers often wear bulky winter gear in stores which makes spotting shoplifters more difficult. Security guards must lean on their professional knowledge and training to identify other key ORC indicators.
Other Organized Retail Crime Indicators
Additional potential ORC indicators that retail security guards monitor for are:
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Entering in a group before splitting up.
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Distraction tactics to occupy store staff while others commit a theft.
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Carrying large bags and backpacks.
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Glancing up and down the aisles while selecting products.
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Exiting the store in a hurry without looking at or interacting with staff.
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Lingering in certain areas without making a purchase.
What Happens When a Theft is Caught in Action?
When a retail security guard observes evidence of shoplifting, such as finding unpaid merchandise in bags or in the subject’s pockets, they will escort the shoplifter to the back room. The security guard will record the shoplifter’s name, write a comprehensive report on the incident, and contact management and law enforcement if necessary.
What about large-scale ORC crimes? Read our previous blog post to learn how a Blackbird Security guard prevented an ORC theft at an Arc’teryx in Coquitlam, BC.
Partner with Canada’s Best Retail Security Professionals
While these tips can help in identifying subjects of interest, security guards should still be alert for individuals who don’t meet these criteria. “Ultimately, anyone can come into the store and anyone can come into theft,” says Amir.
Partnering with a professional security team is the best way to reduce inventory shrinkage, shoplifting, and ORC. Our team of highly-trained security guards at Blackbird Security is here to help. We provide retail security coverage to a wide variety of businesses across Canada including Lululemon, Sephora, Best Buy, MEC, and many more.
Get in touch with us using the form below to find out how we can secure your retail store.
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