Unfortunately, one of the costs of doing business in the retail industry is the cost of shrinkage. Effective management of shrinkage keeps prices lower for your consumers, while at the same time increasing per sale profit margin. Many in the retail store industry are under the mistaked impression that effective shrinkage control requires installation of expensive security systems. This is not so.

Your first line of defense against shoplifting is your sales force. While nobody can reasonably expect your sales force to assume the role of a police officer or security guard, vigilence and visible presence go far in reducing shrinkage. A sales force can be easily trained in shrinkage control without putting them at risk.

For example, a simple and easy way to reduce shrinkage is to train your sales force to greet each customer and look them in the eye. A potential shoplifter will be discouraged by such face to face contact. A visible presence of your sales force on the floor also reduces the opportunity for a shoplifter to pocket an item. Having sales personnel manage dressing rooms, counting items and greeting customers as they enter the changing area, also gives a sense of presence and vigilence, which discourages all but the most brazen of shoplifters.

Additionally, affordable security products are readily available. Security mirrors dispense with invisible sections of your retail store. Mirrors are available in a variety of styles, from half dome mirrors which mount at the intersection of a wall and ceiling, to quarter dome mirrors which mount in corners, to full dome mirrors which are ceiling mounted. Additionall, wall mounted convex mirrors provide a wide angle "fish eye" view of the sales floor.

Entry alerts are also available in a variety of styles. An entry alert signals the presence of a new customer entering the store. These can come in the form of contact alerts that make an audible noise when a door is opened, to infrared beams that make a sound when the beam is broken by a customer passing through an open entrance, such as is commonly found in malls.

Finally, a mock security camera gives a sense to potential customers that their every action is being memorialized. Mock security cameras look just like real cameras, yet are much more affordable than a full closed circuit surveillance system.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the Vice President of S & L Store Fixtures, a leading online provider of retail security mirrors and retail store security solutions. For more information, please visit http://www.slstoredisplays.com .