How to use itWalk the store weekly with the list, act on gaps, and track shrink by department after each count.
Who uses itStore managers and assistant managers
WhenA weekly walk, plus after each inventory count
Time needed30 to 45 minutes per store
Keep itStore file, with open actions tracked to closure
Who uses the loss prevention checklist and when
Shrink comes from several sources: theft by customers or employees, administrative errors, vendor mistakes and damage. Each needs a different control.
Never put staff at risk to stop a theft. Train employees to observe and report, and follow your company’s policy.
15 items. Use it on screen, or print it and fill it in by hand.
Store and layout
Registers and cash
Receiving
Inventory
People
How to put it to work
Walk weekly.
Count high-risk items often.
Review voids and refunds.
Train staff on safe responses.
Track shrink after each count.
The loss prevention checklist in practice
A store’s counts show shrink concentrated in razor blades. Moving them to a locked fixture near the register and adding a daily count cuts losses in that category the next quarter.
What the retail loss prevention checklist protects you from
Shrink comes from theft, receiving errors, paperwork mistakes and fraud, so a checklist covering floor, registers, receiving and counts finds losses a camera alone never will. Repeating the same checks each week turns guesses about where losses happen into a record you can act on.
Filled-in sample
Register sightlines
Clear from both registers
High-value items
Fragrance in locked case, key with shift lead
Cameras
7 of 8 working; cosmetics aisle camera down
Drawer counts
Done at 2 pm change; register 1 short $3
Voids and refunds
2 refunds, both approved by Gail
Receiving
Morning order counted; 1 case of batteries short, claim filed
Shrink by department
Cosmetics highest this quarter
Sample for Lakeside Drug in Duluth, Minnesota. The broken camera covers the department with the highest shrink, which makes the repair the first action, and the $3 shortage is logged because a repeat on the same register is what matters.
Where a retail loss prevention checklist usually goes wrong
Treating shrink as only a shoplifting problem. Check receiving counts, price changes and register errors too, since paperwork mistakes quietly add up.
Propping the stockroom door open while a delivery is unloaded. Keep it closed between loads and have one person own the door.
Reviewing refunds in total but never by employee. Sort voids and refunds by cashier and look for anyone far above the rest.
Edits most teams make to the retail loss prevention checklist
Grocery and convenience storesAdd checks on spoilage, markdowns and vendors who stock their own shelves, since direct deliveries are hard to verify.
Apparel storesAdd fitting room item counts and a daily check that security tags are on high-value stock.
From the fieldStand at each corner of the sales floor and look toward the registers. Any spot where you cannot see a staff member is a blind spot worth fixing with layout or a mirror.
What people ask about the loss prevention checklist
What is shrink?
Inventory lost to theft, errors or damage.
Should staff stop shoplifters?
Follow your policy; safety comes first.
How often to count?
High-risk items weekly.
Do errors cause shrink?
Yes, receiving and pricing errors are common causes.
Do security cameras in a store need signs?
Many states do not require signs for video in public sales areas, but recording audio is limited by wiretap laws, and cameras should never point into restrooms or fitting rooms. A visible sign that the store uses video can also deter theft.
What should staff write down after a suspected theft?
The time, the items, a description of the person and which camera covered the area, as soon as possible afterward. Keep it factual and leave out guesses about motive, since the note may go to police or an insurer.
Disclaimer: This template is general information to adapt to your own workplace. It is not legal, safety or compliance advice and does not replace inspections, training or requirements set by law, regulators, manufacturers or your insurer. Check the rules that apply to you with a qualified professional.
