To Combat Shoplifters, Retailers Are Hiring Them to Steal
As retail theft soars in the UK, companies are spending more on store security — including hiring “mystery shoplifters” to test it firsthand.
Illustration: Isabella Cotier for Bloomberg
As he walks through the entrance of a popular clothing store in London, Jack has his eye on the fur coats hanging in a dimly lit corner, tucked between party dresses and a handful of sparkling clutches. Maintaining a casual air, he scans the room for threats to his mission, clocking the nearest exits and casting a stealthy eye up at the domed security cameras lining the ceiling.
Standing by the coat rack, Jack sees that the loop alarm — a cable that passes through the garment and triggers a siren if cut — is not fitted properly on one of the coats. Bingo. He slides the coat off the rack, tucks it under his arm and walks out the front door.