Loss Prevention Seminars a huge success

Around 150 industry executives gathered at the 2014 ECRA seminars "Sell More, Lose Less", in Melbourne and Sydney in early August and took the opportunity to gain valuable insight from globally recognised Retail Loss Prevention expert, Professor Adrian Beck, Head of the Department of Criminology, University of Leicester (UK).

Investigating the future of loss prevention, Adrian described the ways in which thinking and approaches to Loss Prevention are changing, how retailers need to increasingly think about the problem in more coherent and cross-functional way, and what the future might hold.  Insight included the findings from a new global research project focussed on staff engagement and loss, and the key role engaged staff can play in helping to minimise a range of store-based losses.

 

Adrian then provided delegates the latest thinking on the emerging hot topic surrounding the impact of mobile technologies on retail losses, presenting findings from an ongoing global research project reviewing what the impact of introducing mobile technologies might be on retail loss prevention.  Based upon case studies in the UK and USA, as well as feedback from in-depth interviews from three of the largest UK retailers who are currently exploring the introduction of mobile selection and payment technology, this presentation provided delegates access to the most recent insight on this topic.

In a third session, focussed on benchmarking businesses on loss management, Adrian led delegates in a highly interactive session, providing delegates the opportunity to experience a newly developed benchmarking tool to guide their thinking about business priorities and best practice.

Delegates also enjoyed the opportunity to hear directly from senior executives from Coles and Woolworths who opened the seminars in Melbourne and Sydney respectively, and from Myer's Wendy Marshall who took delegates on Myer's journey over the past 6 years as the retailer embarked on a holistic approach to establishing a sustainable program which has seen Myer achieve international benchmarks for shrinkage results which have been maintained.  This case study provided a clear demonstration to delegates that shrinkage is everyone's business at Myer, led from the top by CEO Bernie Brooks and filtering down to the stores, support office and distribution centres.

ECRA sincerely thanks all delegates who attended and our generous event sponsors:

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