Cory Lowe

There is no shortage of innovation in loss prevention, security, or retail. New technologies, strategies, and ways of operating are constantly being introduced to address theft, violence, and operational risk. Yet at the LPRC, we regularly speak with leaders who cannot get approval for their initiatives, much less fully implement strategies that both they, and research, suggest will benefit the organization.

Just like most fields, one of the greatest challenges in loss prevention is siloes—many departments at retail companies operate in siloes, but, oftentimes, retailers’ technologies operate in siloes. Unfortunately, siloes are the mortal enemy of business intelligence, including the business intelligence that is most relevant to loss prevention and ORC investigations.

Loss prevention leaders and practitioners must have a deep understanding of human behavior if they hope to design effective strategies that prevent losses while supporting positive customer experiences. Success in loss prevention hinges on knowing not just what people do, but why they do it. Without insight into the motivations driving team members, offenders, and customers, efforts to deter theft, fraud, or operational errors will fall short.