ECRA Loss Prevention Workshop Provides Valuable Perspective

ECRA's Loss Prevention Forum consists of a gorup of companies who have been working together for three years in developing many tools and resources for the FMCG industry to assist in efforts to fight ‘shrinkage’ - primarily focussing on reducing theft of product in store. 

Forum members have been working to determine the potential for a research project designed to provide clear understanding of the loss risks associated with new and emerging shopper technologies, with a focus on Self Scanning Checkouts and Mobile Payment technologies. 

The project, Staying ahead of the Game - managing the impact of technology on loss, commenced with a workshop in Sydney on 9 May. It was attended by 25 industry experts across retail, supply, service and equipment providers and leading academics from Australian National University and NSW University of Technology.  

The objective was to use the industry experts to establish the commonalities and differences across a wide variety of retail environments regarding shrink at Self Service Checkouts and through the use of mobile payment technologies. The workshop focussed on current experience and future concerns. It provided the academics valuable insight into developing a robust methodology; agreed process; required resourcing; and deliverables for the next stage of the proposed project.  

The academics have been tasked with providing a comprehensive report on the outcomes of the workshop. Should the project proceed the proposed output will be a toolbox designed to assist retailers in implementing and managing new and future technologies.