ESPlus Emphasis The Need For Retail Security Measures

One shoplifting theft every 90 seconds

Newly published figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), showing a third of a million shoplifting offences each year - one every 90 seconds - underline the need to take effective action against customer thefts, warns specialist tagging and CCTV solutions provider ESPlus.

In its 2008 Retail Crime Survey, the BRC says shoplifting is the most costly crime for shops. It accounted for 64 per cent of all retail crime losses by value, well above burglary (16 per cent), robberies (8 per cent) and employee theft (8 per cent).  The BRC survey is the only one of its kind dealing specifically with retail crime and gives the most accurate picture of the reality of retail crime.

"This latest annual BRC report points out, for instance, that the DIY and hardware sector experiences the highest rate of theft per store," says ESPlus' co-director Dave Abberley. "Our security solutions have already assisted national operators in this area to equip their stores with the latest CCTV and EAS tagging systems, helping to protect merchandise and provide surveillance that can also be used to safeguard store staff in terms of customer violence - another problem that the BRC report draws attention to."

ESPlus' retail security solutions include a wide range of CCTV equipment from all major manufacturers together with Je-Tec EAS tagging systems. Used in leading UK retail chains and independent stores, these systems offer exciting operational benefits including integration with the customer's IT network for up-to-the-minute data analysis.

From an operational viewpoint, the hardware will also stand up to the type of wear and tear levels associated with busy retail environments - ranging from DIY stores to boutiques, electrical outlets and bookshops - and offer a standard of reliability derived from its high quality Swiss made electronics.