With the holiday shopping season approaching, retailers face what may be considered their most challenging time of year for theft prevention. While increased foot traffic brings welcomed sales, it also creates unprecedented security challenges requiring more than traditional measures.
By the Numbers
According to the Council on Criminal Justice, theft during the 2024 holiday months increased 14% compared to other times of the year, the most significant difference observed during the analyzed time frame.
While clothing and accessories remain top targets, retailers and grocers also experience significant spikes in theft of everyday items. The trend encompasses traditional shoplifting, pushout theft, and an alarming increase in organized retail crime (ORC). These continued trends helped make October 24 National Fight Retail Crime Day, as recognized by the National Retail Federation.
Why Holiday Theft Intensifies
Several factors converge during the holidays to create a perfect storm:
- Increased Foot Traffic: Crowded stores create chaotic environments that complicate detection and provide cover for theft activities.
- Operational Strain: Seasonal staffing challenges result in fewer experienced personnel on the floor, and temporary employees may lack the necessary training to identify suspicious behavior.
A Layered Approach to Holiday Security
Effective holiday theft prevention requires multiple layers of technology working together. Traditional measures, such as cameras and exit monitors, remain important, but they’re reactive. By the time a bad actor is spotted, merchandise may already be out the door. Modern loss prevention demands proactive solutions.
Combating Pushout Theft with Gatekeeper Systems’ Purchek® Solution
Pushout theft, when unpaid merchandise is wheeled straight out the doors, is a fast-growing category in retail theft.
“All grocers are at risk. Pushout theft is real and is a major vehicle for organized retail crime,” states Caroline Kochman, president of the Loss Prevention Foundation.
The challenge with pushout theft is that it often looks completely ordinary. A typical cart, filled with typical merchandise, is pushed by someone who blends in with other shoppers, making it harder to detect in real time until it’s too late. Pushout theft is a tool used by both ORC rings and opportunistic shoplifters who realize how easy it can be to walk out with unpaid items.
The Purchek solution uses discreet SmartWheel® technology that communicates with strategically placed sensors. If a cart attempts to exit without payment, the wheels lock automatically, stopping the theft without confrontation. The system works quietly in the background, allowing store teams to focus on customers rather than suspects.
“In my years leading loss prevention for a major national retail chain, I’ve never seen a single solution deliver as immediate and measurable an impact on shrink as Gatekeeper Systems’ Purchek® solution,” said a loss prevention executive.
“The ROI was both meaningful and sustained, proving its value far beyond the initial deployment,” continues the LP executive.
Another retailer loss prevention executive made similar comments about the results being immediate. “Gatekeeper’s Purchek solution has been a game-changer in reducing pushout theft,”. “The measurable results and strong support from their team have made a real difference in our operations. From implementation to ongoing service, their support has been exceptional, making them a trusted resource for our operations.”
During the holiday season, retailers face increased exposures, from higher customer traffic to expanded inventories, which makes them especially vulnerable to pushout theft. In addition, shopping events such as Black Friday bring larger-than-usual crowds to retailers that can sometimes overwhelm staff and resources. Gatekeeper’s Purchek® is critical during this period, helping loss prevention teams manage the heightened risks and protect operations when the stakes are at their highest.