Cashier Error Leading Cause of "Bottom of the Basket" Shrink: PG Webinar Poll
NEW YORK -- Cashier error and cost of available solutions are the two leading roadblocks in retailer efforts to reduce bottom of the basket shrink, according to retailer participants polled during Progressive Grocer's loss prevention Webinar held last week.
Among retailers polled during the Webinar, 80 percent cited cashier error as the leading source of bottom of the basket (BoB) loss. Almost half (47.5 percent) attributed this loss to shopper theft, while 45 percent named shopper error as the main culprit. Only 12.5 percent of retailer participants said cashier theft is the cause.
While retailers see BoB shrink as a major problem, so is the problem of addressing it. More than 67 percent of retailer participants polled said the cost of available technology solutions is a challenge they faced in BoB loss prevention. Other challenges include the reduction of lane productivity, too much retailer intervention required (34.8 percent each), and customer satisfaction issues (32.5 percent). While continued collusion between cashiers and shoppers is also an issue, only 20.9 percent of retailer participants cited it.
The Webinar, sponsored by IBM and moderated by Progressive Grocer technology editor Joseph Tarnowski, brought retailers together to discuss the problems and ferret out solutions. During the Webinar, IBM had the opportunity to discuss one such solution, offered by IBM partner Evolution Robotics. Called LaneHawk, the system scans and automatically rings up items in the bottom of the basket. Along with a set of cashier best practices, it was developed to reduce BoB loss without impeding customer service.
To view the archived Webinar, please click the following link:
http://www.bulldogsolutions.net/ProgressiveGrocer/PRO05172006/frmRegistration.aspx?bdls=4246
Among retailers polled during the Webinar, 80 percent cited cashier error as the leading source of bottom of the basket (BoB) loss. Almost half (47.5 percent) attributed this loss to shopper theft, while 45 percent named shopper error as the main culprit. Only 12.5 percent of retailer participants said cashier theft is the cause.
While retailers see BoB shrink as a major problem, so is the problem of addressing it. More than 67 percent of retailer participants polled said the cost of available technology solutions is a challenge they faced in BoB loss prevention. Other challenges include the reduction of lane productivity, too much retailer intervention required (34.8 percent each), and customer satisfaction issues (32.5 percent). While continued collusion between cashiers and shoppers is also an issue, only 20.9 percent of retailer participants cited it.
The Webinar, sponsored by IBM and moderated by Progressive Grocer technology editor Joseph Tarnowski, brought retailers together to discuss the problems and ferret out solutions. During the Webinar, IBM had the opportunity to discuss one such solution, offered by IBM partner Evolution Robotics. Called LaneHawk, the system scans and automatically rings up items in the bottom of the basket. Along with a set of cashier best practices, it was developed to reduce BoB loss without impeding customer service.
To view the archived Webinar, please click the following link:
http://www.bulldogsolutions.net/ProgressiveGrocer/PRO05172006/frmRegistration.aspx?bdls=4246