9.00 Opening Remarks From The Chair

Dennis Challinger
Consultant Criminologist, RLP CONSULTING
and Committee Member, AUSTRALIAN SOURCE TAGGING ALLIANCE

9.10 INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE Outlining The Findings Of The National Retail Security Survey 2008: Uncovering Strategies To Reduce Shrinkage

Dr. Richard Hollinger is a Professor at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He is a tenured member of the faculty in the Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law. Richard is also the Director of the Security Research Project - an academic research institute that focuses exclusively on retail loss prevention and security issues. The Security Research Project annually conducts the National Retail Security Survey along with a number of other empirical research activities. In this session he will discuss some of the most recent fi ndings in his 2008 survey and analyse trends from the US.

• What does loss prevention look like in the US?
• How big is the problem from a fi nancial stance and as a percentage of total sales
• Identifying the sources of shrinkage: Where is that loss coming from?
• Determining the different counter measures retailers are using for loss prevention

Professor Richard Hollinger
Department of Sociology, Criminology and Law & Director, Security Research Project
THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, USA

11.00 Incorporating Loss Prevention Into Your Business Strategies

The role of loss prevention has evolved signifi cantly over recent years to become an important part of business strategies and a valuable means to increase organisational profi t margins. Internal and external theft are challenges that will not disappear – loss professionals therefore have to highlight to their staff the importance of getting the processes right. Angela will discuss some of Big W’s strategies for minimising loss and keeping shrinkage rates to a low.

• Understanding your company’s business strategy and identifying the best areas for loss prevention vs. promoting sales
• Highlighting to your team the aspects of your business where there is the greatest shrinkage and targeting investments accordingly
• Outlining a plan to continually monitor and demonstrate progress to employees
• Emphasising openness and transparency across the organisation

Angela Brown
Loss Prevention Manager
BIG W

11.40 Establishing Regular Monitoring And Auditing Procedures To Determine Accountability For Losses

Joining Giordano when there was no real loss prevention function or team, Chris had a pretty large task at hand. Despite the challenges, in the last eighteen months he has managed to reduce shrinkage down to less than 1%! His session will address the key challenges Giordano stores faced and strategies that were implemented to overcome these issues to demonstrate real results.

• Implementing structured processes for data monitoring
• Designing a recruitment screening process to ensure that even your casual staff are a cultural fi t for the organisation, with personal goals aligned with those of the company
• Educating employees on loss prevention and introducing up-skilling exercises to improve productivity
• Maximising your use of manpower: Ensuring your staff are getting the processes right

Chris Intziadis
Loss Prevention Manager
GIORDANO AUSTRALIA

1.20 KEYNOTE: Identifying The Causes Of Shrinkage And Ways To Optimise Retail Loss Prevention Strategies

The recent KPMG Global Retail Loss Prevention Survey 2009 highlighted the size of the losses that retailers are facing from shrinkage - misplaced inventory, theft, fraud, waste, damage, incorrect pricing and much more. KPMG found that losses were typically worth 1.3% of retail sales value suggesting that shrinkage costs Australian retail around $3 billion a year. Critically, retailers have tended to focus on customer and staff theft as being the root cause. KPMG’s work suggests that process failures throughout the supply chain cause the majority of the losses and that is where retailers and suppliers should be focusing. The KPMG presentation will cover:

• Analysing data accurately to identify correct causes of shrinkage
• Revising internal process design and implementation to maximise effi ciencies and reduce loss
• Working with employees and suppliers to prevent loss across the supply chain
• Investing in loss prevention technology and implementing appropriate procedures to use these effectively

George Svinos
Head of Retail for the ASPAC Region
KPMG

2.00 Knowing The Signs Of Fraudulent Behaviour: What To Look For When Sifting Through Laborious Amounts Of Data

Whilst technology nowadays allows us to capture a huge amount of information in order to monitor stock, it is knowing what to actually do with that information that will give you the upper hand in preventing loss. Melissa will address the key things to look for in your data monitoring tools in order to identify areas where loss prevention strategies ought to be focused.

• Optimising your use of the fi gures to maximise ROI in POS technologies
• Using the key indicators of employee fraud and misconduct to develop new processes for the future
• Considering the demographic of your employee and typical behaviour patterns
• Devising strategies to mitigate crime that are responsive to the behaviour types

Melissa Murphy-Webster
Loss Prevention Manager
CHEMIST WAREHOUSE

3.10 KEYNOTE: Killing ‘Ghost Shrinkage’, Then ‘Process’ And ‘Progress’

Recognised nationally as an expert in both traditional and ‘non-traditional’ retail loss prevention methods, and with over 20 years experience, Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge to the speaker faculty. His grasp and understanding of loss prevention in all its guises as a function within the overall business strategy at Lowes-Manhattan means their shrinkage is maintained at an enviable level. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to hear best practice strategies to reduce shrink.

• Identifying false losses to reduce the ‘wooden’ dollar shrink (or ghost shrink as Stephen calls it!)
• Highlighting particular initiatives for medium sized ‘chain’ stores
• Collaborating with the internal audit and loss prevention departments for best results
• Mining the data derived from your technologies
• Developing an understanding with your internal customers
• Understanding the importance of education and awareness at all levels

Stephen J. Bullen C.F.A M.I.I.A
National Manager - Internal Audit and Loss Prevention
LOWES-MANHATTAN PTY LTD

3.50 OPEN DISCUSSION FORUM: Are Australia’s Professional Shop Thieves Really Organised?

• Examining real case studies of organised retail crime
• Looking at the use of the internet to market stolen goods, including eBay
• Using surveillance, investigation, and joint operations with police to build a case
• Looking at lessons learned from overseas and deriving their relevance to the Australian market

Facilitated by Chairperson:

Dennis Challinger
Consultant Criminologist, RLP CONSULTING and Committee Member
AUSTRALIAN SOURCE TAGGING ALLIANCE

4.30 Closing Remarks From The Chair And End Of Day One