How Scan, Pay, and Go Help Theft Prevention in Retail Stores
Retail theft is more widespread than many store owners realize Sometimes it’s bold, but more often it’s quiet items hidden in a jacket or relabeled at a kiosk and the losses quickly add up
Supermarkets, convenience outlets, and high-traffic retailers lose billions annually to external theft.
A significant portion of these incidents occur at checkout, particularly in stores that use self-scanning machines areas where oversight is often minimal
While self-checkout technology is excellent at reducing queues and improving efficiency, it isn’t always effective at stopping shoplifting
Conventional methods like CCTV surveillance and security tags can help, but they typically act after the theft has already taken place
If shrinkage is eating into your profits, it’s worth examining how your checkout system contributes to the problem and how scan and go technology can help close the gaps
What You’ll Learn in This Guide:
● The most frequent types of retail theft and why they’re difficult to detect
● Why traditional self-checkout stations fall short in theft prevention
● How scan and go creates a smarter, smoother, and more theft-resistant shopping process
The Rising Impact of Retail Theft
Shrinkage may sound like a standard business term, but in many cases, it’s simply theft in disguise External theft now accounts for a significant share of that loss
According to Extenda Retail, customer shoplifting represents 37% of shrinkage making it the largest single contributor
For retailers already facing narrow margins, higher labor expenses, and shifting customer habits, tackling theft isn’t just about catching offenders it’s about preventing unnoticed financial leaks
How Shoplifting Occurs in Modern Stores
Most retail theft happens on impulse rather than through organized crime Ordinary shoppers notice a weak spot in store operations and take advantage of it often at checkout.
Concealment of Items
One of the oldest tactics: hiding goods inside bags, strollers, or under clothing Some thieves distract employees, while others simply leave without paying
Switching Price Labels
This method involves replacing the barcode of a costly item with that of a cheaper one In stores with self-checkout systems, these altered codes often pass unnoticed
Partial Scanning or Walkouts
At self-service kiosks, some shoppers scan only a few products, pretending to scan the rest. In busy environments, these skipped scans often go undetected
Why Traditional Security Measures Fall Short
Common tools security cameras, alarm gates, mirrors, and guards are useful, but they mainly work after an item is stolen They are reactive, not proactive
Bag checks and employee oversight may catch occasional offenders but can irritate genuine customers They also increase operating costs, making them unsustainable as the sole solution.
Retailers need preventative systems integrated directly into the shopping process
Why Self-Checkout Systems Struggle with Theft
Control
Self-service kiosks are built to speed up checkout, cut expenses, and boost productivity Unfortunately, they also open new avenues for theft.
Placed near exits with limited supervision, kiosks are difficult to monitor closely Staff can’t watch every screen or customer simultaneously
Moreover, these systems rarely tie purchases to a shopper’s identity, reducing accountability In busy periods, the lack of oversight makes it even easier for items to leave unpaid
Self-Checkout Theft: The Numbers
Recent data highlights the extent of the issue:
● Shrink at self-checkout averages 3 5% of sales, over 16 times higher than the 0 21% rate at staffed lanes (Grabango)
● 37% of shoppers admit to stealing from self-checkout (Serve Legal)
● More than 20 million Americans have stolen from a self-checkout, and 8.85 million plan to repeat the act (Capital One Shopping)
● 69% believe it’s easier to steal from self-checkout than a cashier (LendingTree)
● Only 33% of self-checkout shoplifters are caught, and 44% of those offenders say they would do it again. (Loss Prevention Media)
How Scan and Go Strengthens Theft Prevention
Scan and go isn’t just a modern checkout solution it’s an integrated theft deterrent that reshapes customer interaction in your store
Built-In User Accountability
With scan and go, every transaction happens through a shopper’s smartphone and is linked to their account, loyalty number, or device ID This creates a traceable digital record, making anonymity and casual theft less likely
Real-Time Cart Monitoring
As shoppers scan, the system logs items in a digital cart Any unusual activity such as skipped scans or rapid item entries can trigger alerts automatically
Exit Validation Without Friction
Stores can use light-touch checks like QR code receipts, automated gates, or random verifications at exits This raises the risk for potential thieves while keeping the process smooth for honest buyers
Reduced Chaos and Loopholes
By removing shared kiosks and long queues, scan and go minimizes pressure and distractions, leading to more accurate transactions and fewer theft opportunities
Changing Customer Intent Through Technology
One overlooked advantage of scan and go is its influence on shopper behavior
People tend to steal when they feel anonymous and unobserved. Self-service kiosks often create that low-risk environment
However, when every action is linked to a person’s device and account, the perceived risk rises dramatically often enough to deter theft before it starts.
Can It Prevent Missed Scans?
While any system can be misused, scan and go offers better post-event tracking and prevention tools:
● Maintains a complete record of scanned items
● Identifies suspicious patterns from repeat shoppers
● Uses AI to compare behavior against store norms
Rather than reacting after losses occur, this creates a proactive prevention framework.
Conclusion: Stopping Theft Without Hurting the Experience
Retail theft prevention shouldn’t turn shopping into a security-heavy ordeal.
Solutions like Scan ‘N’ Thru blend theft deterrence with convenience using real-time visibility, customer accountability, and smart exit checks to reduce shrink without frustrating honest shoppers.
With every purchase tied to a verified account and monitored intelligently, retailers gain both control and customer trust.
For stores aiming to lower losses while keeping the buying experience seamless, mobile-first scan and go systems provide a powerful answer.
This blog was originally published athttps://wwwscannthru com/blog/scan-and-go-for-retail-theft-prevention/
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