Retail Trend

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2020 holiday shopping data shows festive spirit alive and well Page 3

The holiday shopping season is now well underway and data indicates the festive spirit is alive and well, with an estimated 186.4 million consumers taking advantage of the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend to shop in-store and online this year.

According to the latest National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights survey, this figure is only slightly below the peak of 2019, and well and truly up on the shopper numbers seen in both 2017 and 2018.

The NRF notes it marks a heartening end to a turbulent year. So, here’s an insight into what this year’s Thanksgiving Weekend survey found.

Willing to spend

Despite a tough year which was dominated by the doom and gloom of Covid-19, consumers are proving willing and able to spend as the festive season gears up for 2020.

The NRF data indicates 186.4 million customers embraced the Thanksgiving Weekend, which ran from Black Friday through to Cyber Monday.

The figure was less than last year when 189.6 million shoppers took advantage of holiday sales, but an increase on both 2017 and 2018 when 174.6 million and 165.8 million respectively hit the shops in search of a bargain.

The dollar amount per shopper was also down slightly compared to 2019. This year shoppers spent $311.75 on holiday-related purchases such as gifts or decorations, down from last year’s total of $361.90 but comparable to 2018’s $313.29.

Of that amount, nearly three-quarters ($224.48) was spent directly on gifts.

Online proves popular

As expected, online retail proved particularly popular after a year where social distancing became the norm. This was particularly the case on Black Friday and Saturday.

The NRF survey noted Black Friday online retail surged 8 per cent, surpassing the 100 million mark for the first time, while the number of online Saturday shoppers grew even more, up 17 per cent compared with last year.

Across the weekend, online-only shoppers increased by 44 per cent for the entire period for a total of 95.7 million. The surge in online activity came at the expense of bricks and mortar, but retailers had anticipated that shift.

“As expected, in-store shopping was down given both the state of the pandemic as well as the number of retailers who opted to close on Thanksgiving Day,” the NRF explained.

“With consumer traffic moving to online channels, the number of in-store shoppers on Thanksgiving Day dropped by 55 per cent from last year and those on Black Friday dropped by 37 per cent.”

The holiday spirit

After a tough year, consumers have welcomed the opportunity for a little light-hearted celebration, with the survey indicating, given the pandemic, 51 per cent of shoppers say they are more interested in holiday decorations and seasonal items.

Meanwhile, the majority of holiday shoppers (55 per cent) said recent developments around COVID-19 cases had no impact on their holiday spending plans this year.

They are also eager to support small businesses, with 77 per cent indicating they are more interested in doing so this year.

Top purchases

Top purchases

Clothing proved the big-ticket item of the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, with 52 per cent of those surveyed indicating they had purchased apparel.

Toys were the next most popular item (32 per cent), followed by books/music/movies/video games (29 per cent), gift cards/certificates (29 per cent), and electronics (27 per cent).

Meanwhile, shopping destinations included department stores (visited by 40 per cent of those surveyed), grocery stores (39 per cent), clothing stores (33 per cent), and electronics stores (31 per cent).

Retailers prepared

This year, the NRF predicted peak shopping period would commence early and retailers were more than prepared.

“Retailers have been planning for the season by ensuring that their stores are safe, their associates are trained, the inventory is stocked, and the online experience is seamless,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said.

“Many things have changed since the onset of the pandemic, but the commitment by retailers to meet the consumer where, when and how they shop at the prices they want to pay never changes.”

And the positive end to a turbulent year looks set to continue for the retail sector. While shoppers started ticking off their to-do lists earlier in 2020, many still have items to fulfil.

The survey found holiday consumers have about half of their shopping left to do and 91 per cent expect they will continue to see great deals throughout the rest of the season.

For more information on the holiday shopping season for 2020, see here. Or order your last minute retail security tags here and labels here.

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‘tis the season to be jolly – combatting liquor theft Page 3

Over the coming weeks, US liquor sales will spike to their highest level of the year, with alcoholic beverages tipped to be an essential purchase on many people’s holiday shopping list.

But with that spike in sales comes an inevitable uptick in theft, making now the time that retailers should be looking to secure their liquor against shoplifting.

Here’s a guide to combatting liquor theft during a season when alcohol sales are set to be merry indeed.

Holiday season alcohol demand

Each year statistics indicate a marked rise in alcohol sales throughout December, with figures indicating they are at least a third higher than the lowest point of the year. And the market is only increasing.

In December 2017 for example, Statista noted liquor sales peaked at $6.284 billion, compared to their lowest point in January when sales were just $3.74 billion.

It was a similar story in 2018 and 2019.

  • In 2018, beer, wine and spirit sales topped $6.442 billion, compared to $3.991 billion in January
  • In 2019, beer, wine and spirit sales topped $6.63 billion, compared to $4.134 billion in January

This year, December sales could even be higher, with Covid-19 seeing a rise in liquor demand and sales reaching $6.421 billion by July.

Demand sees spike in liquor theft

Demand sees spike in liquor theft

As legitimate sales of liquor increase so too does liquor theft, with December renowned as a peak season for shoplifting.

In fact, liquor ranks among the top 10 stolen items across the US over the holiday season as foot traffic increases and sales associates cope with increased demand.

So how can retailers protect their liquor over the busy period ahead?

Liquor theft prevention

Shoplifters target liquor for a variety of reasons. In some cases, it’s simple opportune pilfering. This category of opportune thieves often includes teens who steal alcohol almost as a rite of passage and people who may already be under the influence and harness their decreased inhibitions to have a further drink ‘on the house’.

These types of thieves usually go after lower value items that are easy to access.

Other thieves are more strategic in their product selection, targeting high-value liquor that can be resold at a greater price. This sees liquor amongst the prime targets for organized retail crime (ORC).

But regardless of the reason or strategy behind it, alcohol theft costs retailers a significant sum, contributing to $61.7 billion in retail shrink across all retail verticals in 2019 alone.

Liquor security tags

Liquor security tags
Featured product: Liquor Security Tags

Designed specifically to protect wines and spirits, liquor security tags are amongst the latest innovations in Electronic Article Surveillance.

The caps are designed to fit over the bottle top, can only be removed at the Point of Sale, and ensure an alarm sounds if a thief tries to steal wine or spirits.

They also prevent alcohol from being consumed in the store, are available to suit both RF and AM EAS systems, and offer a universal fit to suit varying bottle neck shapes and sizes.

As an added benefit, the caps are available in bulk, are reusable and easy for store assistants to remove and attach. They also offer an affordable way to protect products while still allowing the consumer to access, touch, feel and examine them.

Locked cabinets

When it comes to top-shelf liquor many retailers opt to secure their products behind glass.

Glass cabinets allow the consumer to see the product but not touch it. It enables the staff to keep the items under their control but can cost time when it comes to access. Meanwhile, the locks need to be impervious to picking.

That’s where innovations like smart locks and smart keys come in. They allow retail staff to quickly access all relevant cabinets using a single programmed key.

These keys can also track which staff member has accessed what cabinet, allowing retailers to also mitigate employee theft.

Security labels

For high-volume, low-value liquor, beer and wine, security labels are a popular alternative. Labels come in a range of sizes, are available for both RF and AM EAS systems and can even have the barcode printed on them to save time at the Point of Sale.

CCTV

CCTV and video surveillance are excellent loss prevention strategies for monitoring an entire store and can be a tool that deters thieves from committing an act of theft

However, CCTV often detects a crime and identifies a criminal after the incidence has occurred, leaving the matter in the hands of police rather than avoiding a theft.

You can learn more about liquor bottle security tags here or browse our range of security labels here.

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The biggest loss prevention mistakes retailers make Page 3

Battling retail loss is an ongoing challenge for retailers. With the cost of that loss currently at $61.7 billion in the US, the stakes have never been higher.

However, many retailers struggle to either understand where their loss is occurring or do not have sufficient strategies in place to address it. So let’s look at the five biggest loss prevention mistakes retailers make.

Not knowing their numbers

You cannot manage what you do not measure, so it’s imperative retailers understand exactly where loss is occurring and when it is most likely to happen.

Loss can be attributed to a number of factors in-store, including malicious threats like shoplifting and employee theft. It can also come down to non-malicious problems like human error. Loss may also occur in the supply chain, or via e-commerce.

Only when a retailer delves into the big picture of where their store’s weaknesses lie, are they able to develop the right strategies to combat that loss.

Failing to get back to basics

Not investing in loss prevention

Although some of the tactics involved in shoplifting, theft and fraud may have changed, the battle remains the same.

For retailer’s, it’s about getting back to basics and protecting their store, their products, and their bottom line.

Individual items should be protected at a product-based level, using tools like electronic article surveillance, security tags, and security labels.

The store should be protected via CCTV or perhaps security personnel. It should also be protected with policies and procedures that help eliminate theft and inadvertent loss.

Not involving staff in the fight

Staff are the first line of defence when it comes to minimizing loss at all levels in-store, and they should be actively involved in the fight.

Again, that comes down to systems, procedures and also staff training. Staff should be fully abreast of best practice for returns and gift cards. They should be screened during the employment process to help minimize employee theft, and then trained regarding the signs of shoplifting.

They should be aware of stock reconciliation procedures and inventory counting that help identify both in-store loss and loss in the supply chain.

Most importantly, they should be fully cognizant of how loss impacts them personally as employees, affecting the retail bottom line and therefore putting their employment at risk.

Underestimating their opponent

Underestimating their opponent

Contrary to popular belief, shoplifters do not fit one single profile. They come from all walks of life, all age brackets and all demographics.

The methods they use to shoplift also vary, ranging from concealment of small items to complex pre-planned thefts involving groups.

The mistake many retailers make is to believe they can easily spot a shoplifter and to assume theft will not happen to them.

On average, each retailer takes a 1.62 per cent hit to the bottom line due to retail loss, with shoplifting the primary suspect.

Not investing in loss prevention

To fight loss in store, retailers need to invest in loss prevention, and this is an ongoing investment where technology and tools need to be regularly updated.

The reality is, what worked five or 10 years ago may no longer suffice in terms of security. The internet means thieves are now more savvy, and have a wealth of information at their fingertips.

For retailers, combatting this evolving threat requires them to consistently evaluate their loss prevention measures and upgrade them where required, looking at new and improved ways to mitigate potential loss.

For more information about the latest loss prevention strategies and tools, see here. Or head directly to our catalogue or state-of-the-art security tags and security labels.

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Holiday shopping starts early Page 3

Early predictions that customers would start their holiday shopping earlier in 2020 are coming to fruition, with a new National Retail Federation survey finding 59 per cent of shoppers have already started making holiday purchases.

There’s also a marked shift in the way people pay for items as Covid-19 continues to weigh on consumer’s minds.

Here’s an insight into how the holiday retail season is developing so far…

Spending has started for holiday season 2020

The latest NRF data found of the 8362 adult consumers surveyed, most had already started purchasing gifts.

Fifty-nine per cent indicated they had already bought items by the first week in November, which is an increase of 21 per cent on a decade ago.

Meanwhile, 42 per cent noted this commencement of holiday spending was earlier for them personally than in years gone by.

That said, there’s still a significant amount of shopping to go. Only 26 per cent of shoppers have ticked off every item on their holiday shopping list.

What shoppers are buying

What shoppers are buying

The NRF had previously forecast that on average consumers intend to spend $997.79 on gifts, holiday items such as decorations and food, and additional “non-gift” purchases for themselves and their families.

This is a decrease of about $50 in 2019, but already trends are emerging about the gifts that shoppers are after.

Clothing and accessories topped the list of popular gifts, with 54 per cent of people indicating these would be among their gifts to others.

Gift cards were the second most popular item, with 47 per cent of people intending to buy these.

“Similar to last year, consumers plan to purchase between three and four gift cards, for an average spend of $163 per consumer. Total spending on gift cards is expected to reach $27.5 billion,” the NRF said.

Toys came in at third position with 37 per cent of shoppers seeking these out as a gift.

When it comes to the most popular toys of 2020, the survey found LEGOS and PlayStation ranked among the top items for boys and girls, while cars and trucks, Hot Wheels and video games were also popular gifts for boys, and Barbie and dolls remain the top toys for girls.

Meanwhile, 34 per cent of shoppers intend to purchase books and other media, and food/candy is on the gift list for a further 28 per cent of survey respondents.

A shift away from cash

This year the way shoppers are paying for items has seen a shift away from cash as shoppers turn online to make their purchases and also avoid using cash instore.

The NRF found credit cards (42 per cent) remain the top form of payment consumers plan to use this holiday season, followed closely by debit cards (41 per cent).

“Just 15 per cent of consumers listed cash as a top form of payment during the holidays, the lowest in the survey’s history and likely related to the coronavirus,” the NRF noted.

Half (49 per cent) of shoppers plan to use an alternative form of payment such as PayPal, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or Venmo.

Shopper sentiment

Shopper sentiment

The NRF notes retailers have worked hard to provide a safe shopping environment to consumers in the wake of Covid-19.

The focus on hygiene and safety appears to be paying off, with 70 per cent of holiday shoppers saying that, given the precautions, retailers have taken for Covid-19, they have felt safe shopping in stores this holiday season.

Meanwhile, the preparations that retailers have undertaken for an earlier start to the season are also reaping returns.

Over two-thirds (69 per cent) of holiday shoppers say they are able to find the items they are looking for all or most of the time, and 84 per cent are confident they will receive items they order online in time for the holidays.

“Retailers have demonstrated their commitment and ability to ensure safe shopping environments for their customers and their associates,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay explained.

“With consumers looking to fulfil their gift lists earlier this year, retailers are prepared to meet that demand with deep discounts, robust inventory and providing the best experiences possible whether in-store or online.”

You can learn more about the holiday spending predictions for 2020 here, or see our guide for preparing your store for the busy period ahead.

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The big picture of retail loss Page 3

If you’re looking to reduce loss in a retail environment, the first step is to examine exactly where it’s occurring.

This allows retail management to identify the most likely threats to the retail bottom line and devote appropriate resources to reducing it.

So, let’s examine a useful tool that’s been developed by experts to help retailers identify exactly where loss is occurring in-store.

Total Retail Loss

Developed over recent years by Professor Adrian Beck and the Retail Industry Leaders Association, Total Retail Loss is a concept that allows retail management to map out the full scale of all loss within a retail organization.

It breaks loss into four over-arching categories that encompass loss in-store, in the supply chain, via e-commerce and also at a corporate level.

As Loss Prevention Media notes, the value of a Total Retail Loss map is undeniable, “especially in terms of mapping out the scale of loss within your organization and strategically planning countermeasures”.

You can see the full map here, but for the purposes of this exercise, we’ll take a specific look at the loss threats that are most likely to occur in-store.

Major Total Retail Loss threats in-store

Major Total Retail Loss threats in-store

When looking specifically at the in-store environment, the Total Retail Loss approach breaks it into two major categories: unknown loss and known loss.

As unknown loss is simply that, retailers should be looking to determine the dollar value of this category than trying to ascertain where exactly it’s occurring.

The known loss category is more detailed, breaking defined loss into threats that are either malicious or non-malicious.

Malicious threats

Malicious loss is the type of loss that is purposefully perpetrated against a retail outlet either internally or externally and encompasses:

  • External theft
  • Internal theft (employee theft)
  • Customer fraud
  • Voucher/loyalty card scams
  • Burglary, criminal damage and arson
  • Cash theft

These are the type of threats that retailers combat via product protection (including electronic article surveillance and security tags), staff screening, policies and procedures, retail analytics, CCTV, and general security.

No malicious threats

The non-malicious threat category is slightly larger and encompasses factors like human error and wastage.

These types of threats are addressed through systems and procedure, along with staff training.

Non-malicious threats include:

  • Wastage
  • Damage
  • Spoilage
  • Missed returns
  • Natural disaster losses
  • Cash loss
  • Error

The value of TRL mapping

The value of Total Retail Loss mapping

As mentioned, the in-store category of the Total Retail Loss map is just one element.

The map also encompasses supply chain loss (including malicious threats like internal theft), e-commerce loss (such as theft in transit and counterfeit returns), and general corporate loss (such as fraud and non-malicious loss like regulatory fines and workers compensation claims).

Together, it paints a comprehensive picture of exactly where loss is occurring throughout an organization, and retailers can then assign a value to each section.

This helps define where resources need to be directed, and the tools which need to be employed to help mitigate the threat.

By consistently mapping loss across an organization, retailers can also make useful comparisons overtime periods to better understand what strategies are working and what needs to be specifically targeted or improved.

Because the reality is loss also changes over time as part of a continuing battle that retailers wage against changing trends and threats.

You can learn more about identifying where your loss is occurring here, or shop our range of security tags and security labels to combat malicious threats like theft.

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A pro’s guide to selecting and positioning security tags Page 3

When it comes to security tags, where you position them is almost as important as the type and size you select.

Why? Because all these factors affect the customer’s experience of the product and also impact the speed at the Point of Sale.

So as a quick recap, here’s a pro’s guide to selecting and positioning security tags.

Type

Security tags come in a range of types and sizes that are suited to different types of apparel along with further products like eyewear, liquor, sporting goods, and even baby formula.

The type of tag you select affects the product’s security, while also impacting how a product looks on display and the customer experience when they try it on or interact with an item.

security tags size

Size

The size of the tag you opt for will be dependent on the type of product you are protecting.

For example, lingerie requires a smaller tag type than denim jeans, due to the delicate nature of the fabric used.

Meanwhile, bulky overcoats would be better suited to a larger tag with a longer pin, but footwear that uses a lanyard to secure a tag to the product benefits from smaller or pencil-shaped tags as this is less obtrusive.

Size also impacts the customer experience, which is why optical tags are designed to be small, liquor tags are designed not to obscure brand labels etc.

Position

Tags should be positioned with four factors in mind:

  • How well they protect the product. i.e. they should be positioned so they cannot be ripped or cut off without significantly damaging the item and rendering it useless
  • How they affect the look of the product on display
  • How they impact the customer’s experience of the product when trying it on or interacting with it
  • How easy they are for the staff member to find and detach at the Point of Sale

Where possible, tags should be positioned on products in a uniform manner. This affects the look of a store and how visually appealing it is when a customer is shopping.

Uniformity also allows a staff member to quickly locate the tag at the Point of Sale.

Pro tips for products

Security tags for general apparel

General apparel

Type: Round, square, pencil or alligator tags are suited to general apparel

Size: Size varies depending on the type of products stocked, but smaller tags are better suited to lightweight fabrics, while larger tags with longer pins are better for heavy items like coats, jackets, and denim jeans.

Position: Again, this varies depending on the product sold.

  • For dresses, shirts and t-shirts – the rear of the collar or the end of the sleeve are the best locations
  • For pants, slacks and jeans – the rear of the waistband or through a rear pocket is favored
  • For skirts – The rear of the waistband or the hem of heavyweight, knee-length skirts is preferred

Lingerie and swimwear

Type: Pencil tags, alligator tags or small round tags

Size: Smaller

Position: The position varies depending on the product.

  • Bras and bikinis – Alligator tags are positioned to pass across the bra or bikini strap, while other tags pin through the strap, near the bra clasp at the rear, or just beneath where the strap joins the cup on the front.
  • Negligees and underwear – When it comes to negligees, underwear, one-piece swimmers or bikini bottoms, the tag is positioned at the rear near the brand label, or on the lower size seam at about hip height.

Handbags and sporting shoesLanyard Security Tag

Type: Fashion items like handbags and shoes are generally best suited to tags with lanyards or cables. These lanyards or cables allow the tag to be affixed to the product without a pin passing through the item.

Size: The size of the tag can vary, but pencil tags in combination with lanyards often offer a more streamlined look

Position:

  • Handbags -In the case of handbags, the lanyard and tag are secured around the strap of the bag, or alternately they are secured to the hole in the zip slider.
  • Footwear – When it comes to sports shoes, or formal lace-up shoes, the lanyard with tag generally passes through the upper shoelace hole.

Sunglasses and eyewear Optical security tags

Type: Optical tag

Size: Small

Position: Optical tags are designed specifically to fit snugly around the arm of sunglasses and eyewear and are small enough not to interfere with the customer experience of the product.

LiquorLiquor Security Tags

Type: Liquor (bottle cap) tag

Size: This depends on the bottle cap size, with standard and large-sized tags available

Position: Over the cap of the bottle

You can view our extensive range of security tags here, and find more details about selecting the right tags for your store here.

Black Friday to kick off a very different holiday season

Black Friday to kick off a very different holiday season Page 3

With less than a month until Black Friday, this year’s holiday retail landscape is looking decidedly different to years gone by.

Already, numerous bricks and mortar retailers have indicated they will be extending and shifting many of their major sales online, while customers are noting they will commence their holiday shopping earlier this year.

So, let’s look at what’s unfolding for the holiday season ahead, including the trends that will remain long after 2020.

Holiday spending

This year the National Retail Federation tips holiday spending will be down marginally on last year, with consumers choosing to focus their attention on gifts for family and friends, rather than non-essential items for themselves.

The NRF survey revealed on average consumers intend to spend $997.79 on gifts, holiday items such as decorations and food, and additional “non-gift” purchases for themselves and their families.

This is a decrease of about $50 on 2019, but interestingly the areas where consumers are tightening the purse strings are quite specific.

“…nearly all ($45) of the decrease comes from consumers’ hesitation to use seasonal sales and promotions to buy other, non-gift purchases for themselves and their families,” the NRF stated.

“Even still, consumer spending on gifts is on par with last year, decreasing by only about $8, while per-person spending on other holiday items like decorations is actually up slightly.”

Meanwhile, most consumers intend to start their holiday shopping earlier this year, with 42 per cent indicating they plan to commence their holiday shopping by the end of October and another 41 per cent in November.

Retail response

Retail response

Black Friday on November 27 is traditionally the first and largest sales event on the holiday calendar, and already it’s shaping up quite differently, with retailers altering their standard strategy in a bid to counter Covid-19.

Major retailer Walmart is among the stores leading the charge, extending its sales period and transferring much of it online.

Walmart’s approach will see shoppers offered three opportunities to secure deals in the lead-up to Black Friday, rather than one major in-store event.

The retailer has also announced it plans to stay closed this Thanksgiving, and retailers like Macy’s, Target, Best Buy and Dick’s Sporting Goods have also followed suit.

Announcing the shift, Walmart US executive vice president and chief merchandising officer Scott McCall told USA TODAY that more online offers makes for a “safer and more convenient way to shop” and helped manage in-store traffic.

Meanwhile, Lowes is also kicking off its sales earlier, with online daily deals from October 22 – December 2 as part of its “Season of Savings” campaign.

“When it comes to going into the physical stores, we are not going to create a situation where there is a time sensitivity that would create crowd situations,” Marisa Thalberg, Lowe’s executive vice president, chief brand and marketing officer, told USA TODAY. “That is irresponsible in our current environment.”

The shift to an elongated sales period by these retailers also reflects both NRF and other research which indicates consumers are shying away from the idea of waiting for a specific sale.

Affirm Research recently polled 2000 Americans, with 7 in 10 respondents said they’re more likely to buy something on sale now, rather than waiting for the traditional Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales.

A precursor of things to come

Retailer’s Black Friday strategy is the culmination of a year when retail has been forced to pivot and adapt at rapid speed under unprecedented pressure.

And many of the trends we will see across this holiday period will likely persist into the future.

Mashable recently outlined their hit predictions for the 2020 Black Friday trends which will become the norm in years to come, noting curbside pickup, a prolonged sales period, and increased online shopping were among them.

They further predicted in the coming years the following shifts would also become mainstream:

  • A lottery system – Which sees consumers win an opportunity to shop in-store along with a select crowd of others.
  • QR Codes – Which allow shoppers to scan deals and product information from catalogues or websites on their mobile phone.
  • Virtual reality – To offer a retail experience like customers would enjoy in-store, but rather they participate from the comfort of their own home.
  • Voice-activated shopping – Where Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant would be utilized to search for Black Friday deals via voice command.
  • Cashierless retail – Amazon has pioneered this with their cart which recognizes what you put in and take out and then charges customers as they leave a store. That trend is predicted to increase as more retailers embrace the cashierless world.

You can read more about the retail holiday season here, or see our guide for preparing your store for the busy period ahead.

The retail state of play

The retail state of play Page 3

Despite a tough year, the latest data indicates the US retail sector overall has just enjoyed its fourth straight month of year-on-year gains, with the apparel sector leading the charge in September.

The news comes after a barrage of doom and gloom headlines, and as retailers ready for a holiday season like no other.

So, what’s really going on in retail, and what does it mean for the coming months? Let’s take a quick look at the current retail state of play.

Sales figures

According to data from the US Census Bureau retail sales have been steadily rebounding both month-over-month and year-over-year since June after record declines in spring courtesy of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In May, sales returned to month-on-month growth, making a jump of 18.2 per cent but remained below sales the year prior.

In June, sales returned to modest year-on-year growth of 1.1 per cent and month-on-month growth of 7.5 per cent.

July and August saw the growth trend continue, with July’s figures indicating month-on-month increases of 1.2 per cent and year-on-year growth of 2.7 per cent, while August sales grew a further 0.6 per cent on July and 2.6 per cent year-on-year.

Now, the most recent data indicates September sales figures have spiked 1.9 per cent compared to August and are 5.4 per cent higher than last year.

Noting the impressive September gains, National Retail Federation (NRF) president Matthew Shay said consumers were continuing to prove their resilience and strength despite a challenging year.

“Retailers and consumers are adapting to the current environment, embracing shopping in different ways and focusing on specific categories,” Mr Shay reflected.

Some sectors better than others

A breakdown of the statistics by the NRF indicates some sectors are performing better than others, with apparel leading the charge when it came to month-on-month gains in September.

Some sectors better than others

The NRF noted in September:

  • Clothing and clothing accessory stores were up 11 per cent month-over-month seasonally adjusted but down 12 per cent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Sporting goods stores were up 5.7 per cent month-over-month seasonally adjusted and up 18.3 per cent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • General merchandise stores were up 1.8 per cent month-over-month seasonally adjusted and up 4.1 per cent unadjusted year-over-year. Department stores, a subset of the category, were up 9.7 per cent month-over-month.
  • Health and personal care stores were up 1.7 per cent month-over-month seasonally adjusted and up 7.8 per cent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Building materials and garden supply stores were up 0.6 per cent month-over-month seasonally adjusted and up 23.4 per cent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Online and other non-store sales were up 0.5 month-over-month seasonally adjusted and up 27 per cent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Furniture and home furnishings stores were up 0.5 per cent month-over-month seasonally adjusted and up 7.5 per cent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Grocery and beverage stores were unchanged month-over-month seasonally adjusted but up 11.5 per cent unadjusted year-over-year.
  • Electronics and appliance stores were down 1.6 per cent month-over-month seasonally adjusted and down 6.1 per cent unadjusted year-over-year.

Retail winners

While some retailers have undeniably been hit hard by the drop in foot traffic earlier in 2020, other US retailers have either pivoted to adapt or played to their strengths to enjoy a welcome boost in sales.

Retail Dive recently highlighted five of these, with some surprising verticals represented.

Retail winnersThey noted pet retailer Chewy benefitted from operating exclusively online as consumers turned their attention to their four-legged friends during a crisis.

Clothing retailer Lululemon enjoyed surprising success in the apparel retailer, which was hit hardest during the initial period of COVID restrictions. Their success lay in the shift to casual attire as more people worked from home.

Critically Lululemon noted physical stores remained integral to their success.

“Our stores are our local hub and communities across the globe, gathering spots for our ambassadors and our connection to local studios, facilitate e-commerce transactions via our ship-from-store and buy online, pick up in-store capabilities and are a portal to bring new guests into our brand, particularly men,” their CEO told Retail Dive.

Dicks Sporting Goods also performed well in the most recent quarter, despite taking an initial hit. Their rebound was largely due to the increase in people working out at home.

Meanwhile, BJ’s wholesale enjoyed growth in sales due to consumers stocking up for the pandemic, and this was accelerated by their introduction of curbside pickup.

Finally, Target was another winner in a vertical where an increase in sales was expected. Their success was above and beyond competitors however, due to e-commerce and services like same-day fulfilment and PickUp, DriveUp.

Where to from here

The NRF believes the continued uptick in sales bodes well for the holiday period ahead, but they are yet to release forecast sales figures due to the uncertainty of the current economic climate.

“We’re optimistic about the prospects for a strong holiday season, as people want something to look forward to and bring joy to their lives,” Mr Shay said.

“While it’s been a challenging year for everyone, there’s been an enormous amount of innovation within the retail industry and retailers have demonstrated that we can keep the economy open and operating safely.”

You can learn more about preparing your loss prevention strategies for the holiday season here

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10 things shoplifters target during holiday season Page 3

The upcoming holiday period might be known as the ‘season of giving’, but make no mistake there’s a fair bit of taking as well, with shoplifters seizing on some of the busiest shopping days of the retail year to target products for theft.

So which products are commonly stolen, and how can retailers best protect these items from theft?

Here’s our guide to 10 things shoplifters target during the holiday season and the loss prevention strategies that can assist.

Holiday season 2020

This year’s holiday season is expected to be different from the norm, with consumers remaining cautious about social distancing in the wake of Covid-19.

The National Retail Federation notes that means making predictions about forecast holiday shopping trends and spending is more challenging than normal, but an uptick in spending and retail foot traffic is expected.

With that welcome rise in traffic comes the increased risk of shoplifting. In previous years data has indicated almost half of all US retail theft (46 per cent) occurs in winter, while the Global Retail Theft Barometer notes 81 per cent of that is during the holiday period.

Who is shoplifting?

Who is shoplifting

The combination of busy stores, busy staff, and additional products on display means the holiday retail period attracts both opportunistic shoplifters and those involved in Organized Retail Crime.

Importantly, this theft can be easier for the perpetrator to justify because they either feel it’s an item they need or because stores appear to be making a profit and the sale won’t be missed.

Together, this means retailers need to be on their game in the lead-up to the holiday shopping period, which spans the six weeks prior to Christmas.

So, here’s is a list of the most commonly stolen items and the best protection methods.

Top 10 stolen items

1. Electronics accessories

Whether it’s the latest earbuds, chargers, or a phone case, electronics accessories are frequently targeted due to their small size and appeal as a Christmas present.

They also tend to be sold and displayed in high volumes in stores where the sales associate’s watchful gaze is more likely to be guarding the high-value electronics they come with.

Protecting electronics accessories

Electronics accessories can be protected in a number of ways, including security labels, stop locks, or lockable displays which showcase the accessory behind glass. They can also be secured to the electronic gadget they come with as part of an engaging display.

 

2. Leather clothing

Frequently shoplifted leather clothing ranges from jackets to footwear and caps, but these items are often sought after due to their appeal as both a present and their high resale value on the black market.

Protecting leather clothing

Leather clothing is best protected using EAS security tags with a lanyard or cable that secures the tag to the product. The lanyard or cable avoids the need for the tag pin to pass through the item.

 

3. Electronics

Electronics, like cell phones, tablets, laptops and gaming devices, consistently rank on most consumer’s gift list, while their resale value is also high. That means they are targeted by both organized crime rings and opportunistic shoplifters.

Protecting electronics

The challenge with electronics such as smartphones is that legitimate customers often seek to engage with them prior to purchase. These items are best protected through lockable displays where the device is tethered to a countertop, while additional stock is secured in locked cabinets or drawers.

 

4. Accessories

Spanning a whole gamut of products – from sunglasses to costume jewellery, scarves and more- accessories tend to be easy to steal because of their size and the volume of items on display.

Protecting accessories

The loss prevention method used depends on the type of accessory. Sunglasses can be protected using optical tags, jewelry is protected by a lockable display for high-value items and security labels for low-value products, while scarves might best be protected using clothing security tags.

 

5. Winter clothing

When it comes to shoplifting, winter clothing is frequently stolen by concealing it underneath other garments. That said, it is one of the easiest items to protect.

Protecting winter clothing

Fashion security tags should be deployed on all winter clothing, while retailers should also turn their attention to security in the fitting room, utilising additional EAS tools like the Apparel Guard.

 

6. Meat and seafood

Meat and seafood are of course celebratory food staples throughout the holiday period, and they can be a target of theft by opportune shoplifters looking to save money where possible.

Protecting meat and seafood

Purpose designed food grade tags are available for packaged meats and seafood, while CCTV can assist, along with positioning these items where staff can oversee them.

 

7. Liquor

Liquor is a common target throughout the year, but the festive nature of the holiday season sees theft of alcohol spike.

Protecting Liquor

Top shelf liquor should be protected with purpose-designed liquor security tags, while high volume liquor can be protected by labels.

 

8. Perfume and cologne

Small, often valuable and a popular present, perfumes and cologne are also frequently stolen items, while their resale value also makes them a target for organized crime.

Protecting perfume and cologne

High-value perfumes are generally secured in lockable glass cabinets with only testers on display. Lower value, high volume fragrances are best protected with security labels.

 

9. Children’s toys

It’s hardly surprising to find children’s toys on the shoplifting hit list at Christmas, but protection strategies vary depending on their size, shape and value.

Protecting children’s toys

High value boxed toys can be protected by spider wraps and tags, lower value items are protected with labels, while plush toys of high value can be secured using apparel tags.

 

10. Chocolate

Like liquor, meat and seafood, chocolate is a staple of the festive season and it’s frequently shoplifted as a result.

Protecting chocolate

As chocolate is considered a grocery item of high volume, labels are the loss prevention method of choice.

 

You can order your security tags to protect frequently stolen items this holiday season here, and security labels here.

Meanwhile, our holiday loss prevention checklist is available here.

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How to create customer appeal and maintain security Page 3

As the end of a tough year draws to close, retail is looking to capitalize and convert the foot traffic that will inevitably begin to venture back into the real-world environment as part of the holiday shopping season ahead.

With this year likely to see fewer visits per customer and less time spent instore due to the lingering threat of Covid-19, making every visit count will be one of the major priorities for the retail sector in the upcoming period.

Which begs the question of how can retailers create true customer appeal for their storefront while also maintaining security?

Loss prevention in the right places

Protecting a store against shoplifting, organized retail crime, and employee theft is all about ensuring the right security in the right places, and often that involves a multi-layered approach.

Items should be protected at a product-based level through tools such as electronic article surveillance including security tags and labels, while the whole store should be guarded by CCTV, staff training, good layout, and perhaps even loss prevention personnel.

The key here is to maintain a balance that treads a fine line between protecting products and the retail outlet while still enticing customers in.

That means the right security in the right places, and it involves factoring in the level of security that a reasonable customer would expect to find in a particular store.

In department stores and electronics outlets for example, you might expect to see a security guard at the door. In your average apparel outlet, that could prove overkill and actually deter patrons from entering.

In some stores where theft is a persistent problem, obvious CCTV might be required to deter shoplifting, but in others, the approach to surveillance would need to be more subtle.

Meanwhile, there are additional security options that allow you to protect products without a display of obvious security.

Subtle yet secure

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Recent innovations in the world of electronic article surveillance (EAS) allow the antennas that guard the store to be concealed within the doorway, under the floor, or even overhead.

In boutique stores, upmarket retailers and even department stores, this seamless entryway helps create a warm, welcoming environment which entices the customer in.

Rather than being evident and obvious, the entryway is kept clear and can be designed to really cater to the customer experience.

In the interim, concealed EAS still allows labels and tags to be monitored, protecting products against shoplifting and theft.

In addition, there are also new EAS tools available for the fitting room. These notify staff when a tag is being tampered with in the private environment of the change room, or when a product is being concealed beneath the patron’s clothing or in booster bags.

The right tag or security label for the right job

As effective as security tags and labels are at protecting products, there is such a thing as security overkill, where the tag or label is too cumbersome, large or distracting to effectively protect the product and instead deters customers from actually interacting with it.

That’s why it’s important to source the right security label or tag for the job at hand.

As a quick rule of thumb:

  • Apparel is best protected by tags which should be positioned so as not to interfere when customers try on clothing
  • High-value accessories like handbags and brand label sports shoes are best protected with cables or lanyards and tags
  • High-value eyewear and sunglasses should be protected by specific optical tags
  • High volume, low-value products like pharmaceuticals, books, DVDs, games and perfumes are best protected by labels, as are non-perishable groceries and small hardware products.

The above is just a brief guide, however, and you can learn more about selecting the right tag or label for the job at hand here.

Cabinets and displays

For commonly targeted items including electronics like tablets, computers, and cell phones, secure displays are the ideal choice.

These displays allow the item to be accessible to the consumer, yet protect the product against theft. They also help entice the customer in to experience the product and allow for interaction, playing to the ‘touch, feel and experience’ strength of real-world retail.

Meanwhile, additional products can be secured in lockable cabinets or glass displays, but the key here is to ensure they can quickly be accessed by staff to serve the customer.

Smart keys which can be allocated to a staff member and programmed to open multiple cabinets in their section are recommended to streamline this process.

The final word

Loss prevention is always a balance, but this year creating an appealing retail environment matters more than ever before.

You can order your security tags and labels with is directly, or see our holiday security checklist here.