2020 Canadian Retail Security Survey

Retail Council of Canada

Retail Realities:
Canadian retailers are facing ever evolving security challenges as loss prevention teams manage increasingly complex ecommerce and return fraud, global cybercriminals, and organized crime rings that target vulnerabilities within their businesses. Risk is becoming a growing priority to retailers in their strategies to remain sustainable and thrive.
By participating in this survey, you will have access to current and important information on the state of retail shrink, loss prevention trends and best practices.
Survey Confidentiality
Individual responses will be confidentially consolidated into the final report and is designed to provide you with valuable insight as Canadian retailers recover from Covid-19’s disruptions and refine and focus their LP strategies.

Question Title

* PART 1: Areas of Increased Focus

1. Please indicate whether or not the following risks and threats have become more or less of a priority for your organization in the last 5 years.

	Much more of a priority	Somewhat more of a priority	Unchanged	Somewhat less of a priority	Internal theft	Much less of a priority
Ecommerce crime	Ecommerce crime Much more of a priority	Ecommerce crime Somewhat more of a priority	Ecommerce crime Unchanged	Ecommerce crime Somewhat less of a priority	Ecommerce crime Internal theft	Ecommerce crime Much less of a priority
Organized retail crime	Organized retail crime Much more of a priority	Organized retail crime Somewhat more of a priority	Organized retail crime Unchanged	Organized retail crime Somewhat less of a priority	Organized retail crime Internal theft	Organized retail crime Much less of a priority
Cyber-related incidents (e.g. data breaches)	Cyber-related incidents (e.g. data breaches) Much more of a priority	Cyber-related incidents (e.g. data breaches) Somewhat more of a priority	Cyber-related incidents (e.g. data breaches) Unchanged	Cyber-related incidents (e.g. data breaches) Somewhat less of a priority	Cyber-related incidents (e.g. data breaches) Internal theft	Cyber-related incidents (e.g. data breaches) Much less of a priority
Return fraud (incl. from buy online/pick up in store)	Return fraud (incl. from buy online/pick up in store) Much more of a priority	Return fraud (incl. from buy online/pick up in store) Somewhat more of a priority	Return fraud (incl. from buy online/pick up in store) Unchanged	Return fraud (incl. from buy online/pick up in store) Somewhat less of a priority	Return fraud (incl. from buy online/pick up in store) Internal theft	Return fraud (incl. from buy online/pick up in store) Much less of a priority
Violence in the workplace (employees, customers, etc.)	Violence in the workplace (employees, customers, etc.) Much more of a priority	Violence in the workplace (employees, customers, etc.) Somewhat more of a priority	Violence in the workplace (employees, customers, etc.) Unchanged	Violence in the workplace (employees, customers, etc.) Somewhat less of a priority	Violence in the workplace (employees, customers, etc.) Internal theft	Violence in the workplace (employees, customers, etc.) Much less of a priority

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* PART 2: Inventory Shrinkage

2. How does your 2019 inventory shrinkage percentage compare to your past 5 years?

Up significantly

Up slightly

About the same

Down slightly

Down significantly

Question Title

* 3. For fiscal year 2019, what was your company’s inventory shrinkage percentage (%) calculated at retail?

3% and higher shrink

Between 2% and 2.99%

Between 1.5% and 1.99%

Between 1.25% and 1.49%

Between 1% and 1.24%

Between .50% and .99%

.49% and below

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* 4. Where have you noticed the greatest increase in fraud occurring?

In-store only sales

Online-only sales

Multichannel sales (buy online, pick up in store)

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* PART 3: Staffing and Budgets

5. Is your company allocating additional resources to address risks this year (2020)?

Yes, technology resources

Yes, staff resources

Yes, other budget resources

Question Title

* 6. Compared with last year, is your LP budget in 2020 increasing, decreasing or remaining the same?

Increasing significantly (20% or more over 2019 levels)

Increasing somewhat (1% to less than 20% over 2019 levels)

Remaining flat

Decreasing somewhat (1 to 20% LESS than 2019 levels)

Decreasing significantly (Over 20% LESS than 2019 levels)

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* 7. Compared with last year, are your LP teams in 2020 growing, decreasing or remaining the same in regard to number of employees?

Growing significantly

Growing somewhat

Remaining flat

Decreasing somewhat

Decreasing significantly

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* 8. What skills do you believe you need more of in your loss prevention department for your programs to be successful or grow? (select all that apply where more is required)

Analytical

Leadership

Investigative

Computer skills

Cybersecurity

Emotional intelligence

Interviewing

Question Title

* PART 4: LP Systems and Programs

9. What are the loss prevention awareness programs that your company currently utilizes? (select all that apply)

Discussion during new hire orientation

Code of conduct

Anonymous telephone "hotline"

Bulletine board notices and posters

Internet-based training, videos, etc.

Active Shooter training program

Violence in the workplace training program

Anonymous online / email notification system

Honesty incentives (e.g. cash & gifts)

In-store, employeeLP committees

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 10. Which of the Top 5 loss prevention systems does your company use? (answer off that apply)

Burglar alarm

Digital video recorder

Live customer-visible CCTV

Armored car digital pickups

POS data mining

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 11. What are the biggest year-over-year changes you have made to your program? (answer by choosing expanding or reducing in each of the categories)

	Expanding	Reducing
Live customer-visible CCTV	Live customer-visible CCTV Expanding	Live customer-visible CCTV Reducing	Live customer-visible CCTV	Live customer-visible CCTV	Live customer-visible CCTV
POS exception-based CCTV interface	POS exception-based CCTV interface Expanding	POS exception-based CCTV interface Reducing	POS exception-based CCTV interface	POS exception-based CCTV interface	POS exception-based CCTV interface
Theft deterrent devices (spider wraps, keepers, etc.)	Theft deterrent devices (spider wraps, keepers, etc.) Expanding	Theft deterrent devices (spider wraps, keepers, etc.) Reducing	Theft deterrent devices (spider wraps, keepers, etc.)	Theft deterrent devices (spider wraps, keepers, etc.)	Theft deterrent devices (spider wraps, keepers, etc.)
IP analytics	IP analytics Expanding	IP analytics Reducing	IP analytics	IP analytics	IP analytics
Live, hidden CCTV	Live, hidden CCTV Expanding	Live, hidden CCTV Reducing	Live, hidden CCTV	Live, hidden CCTV	Live, hidden CCTV
Mystery or honesty shoppers	Mystery or honesty shoppers Expanding	Mystery or honesty shoppers Reducing	Mystery or honesty shoppers	Mystery or honesty shoppers	Mystery or honesty shoppers
Secured display fixtures	Secured display fixtures Expanding	Secured display fixtures Reducing	Secured display fixtures	Secured display fixtures	Secured display fixtures
Observation booths/mirrors	Observation booths/mirrors Expanding	Observation booths/mirrors Reducing	Observation booths/mirrors	Observation booths/mirrors	Observation booths/mirrors

Question Title

* PART 5: Employee Related Shrink

12. How many dishonest employee apprehensions, terminations, prosecutions, and civil demands were made in 2019? (A blended medium and average will be calculated)

	0-10	11-25	26-50	51+
Apprehensions	Apprehensions 0-10	Apprehensions 11-25	Apprehensions 26-50	Apprehensions 51+
Terminations	Terminations 0-10	Terminations 11-25	Terminations 26-50	Terminations 51+
Prosecutions	Prosecutions 0-10	Prosecutions 11-25	Prosecutions 26-50	Prosecutions 51+
Civil demands	Civil demands 0-10	Civil demands 11-25	Civil demands 26-50	Civil demands 51+

Question Title

* 13. What is the average dollar loss per dishonest employee case?

Up to $249

Between $250 and $399

Between $400 and $499

Between $500 and $749

Between $750 and $999

Between $1,000 and $1,999

Between $2,000 and $4,999

Above $5,000

Question Title

* PART 6: Shoplifting and Robberies

14. How many shoplifting apprehensions (i.e. stops, prosecutions and civil demand were made in 2019? (A blended medium and average will be calculated)

	0-10	11-50	51-100	100+
Apprehensions	Apprehensions 0-10	Apprehensions 11-50	Apprehensions 51-100	Apprehensions 100+	Apprehensions
Prosecutions	Prosecutions 0-10	Prosecutions 11-50	Prosecutions 51-100	Prosecutions 100+	Prosecutions
Civil Demands	Civil Demands 0-10	Civil Demands 11-50	Civil Demands 51-100	Civil Demands 100+	Civil Demands

Question Title

* 15. What was the average dollar loss per shoplifting incident in 2019?

Up to $49

$50 to $99

$100 to $124

$125 to $149

$150 to $199

$200 to $299

$300 to $499

$500 to $999

$1,000 and over

Question Title

* 16. What is the average dollar loss from robbery in 2019?

Up to $199

$200 to $499

$500 to $999

$1,000 to $1,999

$2,000 to $4,999

$5,000 to $9,999

$10,000 and above

Question Title

* PART 7: Emerging Trends

17. How often are you involved in your organization's cybersecurity issues?

Always

Very often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Question Title

* 18. In what specific areas are you working with your cybersecurity colleagues?

Incident response

Employee awareness and training

Disaster recovery and business continuity

Investigation and forensics

Risk management and compliance

Threat analysis

Personnel security and insider risks

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 19. How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statement: There is increasing overlap between LP and cybersecurity priorities?

Agree strongly

Agree somewhat

Disagree somewhat

Disagree strongly

Question Title

* Part 8: About Your Business

20. What retail category best describes your company:

Specialty men’s and women’s apparel

Grocery and supermarkets

Discount, mass merchandise or super centre

Jewelry and watches

Specialty accessories

Department store

Drug store or pharmacy

Home improvement, building, hardware, lumber and garden supply

Consumer electronics, computers, and appliances

Pets and animal supplies

Sporting goods and recreational products

Auto parts, tires and accessories

Books, magazines and music

Convenience store or truck stop

Crafts and hobbies

Furniture

Household furnishings and housewares

Shoes and footwear

Other

Question Title

* 21. How many retail stores do you operate across Canada?

Less than 10 stores

11 to 50 stores

51 to 100 stores

101 to 200 stores

More than 200 stores

Question Title

* 22. In fiscal year 2019, what best describes your Canadian sales volume?

Under $20 million

$20 million to $49 million

$50 million to $99 million

$100 million to $499 million

$500 million to $999 million

$1 billion to $2.49 billion

$2.5 billion to $4.9 billion

$5 billion to $9.9 billion

$10 billion to $24.9 billion

$25 billion to $49.9 billion

Question Title

* 23. What provinces/territories does your company operate store(s) in? (Select all that apply)

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland & Labrador

Nova Scotia

Northwest Territories

Nunavut

Ontario

Prince Edward Island

Quebec

Saskatchewan

Yukon

Question Title

* 24. Are your stores located in: (Select all that apply)

Mall

Stand alone

Street front

Question Title

* 25. What is the most senior Loss Prevention position in your company?

General Manager

Manager

National or Senior Director

Senior Vice President

Vice President

Question Title

* 26. Where in the organization does the Loss Prevention department report to?

Administration

Finance

Human Resources

Stand Alone Function

Store Operations

Other (please specify)

2020 Canadian Retail Security Survey

Retail Council of Canada

Question Title

* PART 1: Areas of Increased Focus1. Please indicate whether or not the following risks and threats have become more or less of a priority for your organization in the last 5 years.

Question Title

* PART 2: Inventory Shrinkage2. How does your 2019 inventory shrinkage percentage compare to your past 5 years?

Question Title

* 3. For fiscal year 2019, what was your company’s inventory shrinkage percentage (%) calculated at retail?

Question Title

* 4. Where have you noticed the greatest increase in fraud occurring?

Question Title

* PART 3: Staffing and Budgets5. Is your company allocating additional resources to address risks this year (2020)?

Question Title

* 6. Compared with last year, is your LP budget in 2020 increasing, decreasing or remaining the same?

Question Title

* 7. Compared with last year, are your LP teams in 2020 growing, decreasing or remaining the same in regard to number of employees?

Question Title

* 8. What skills do you believe you need more of in your loss prevention department for your programs to be successful or grow? (select all that apply where more is required)

Question Title

* PART 4: LP Systems and Programs9. What are the loss prevention awareness programs that your company currently utilizes? (select all that apply)

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* 10. Which of the Top 5 loss prevention systems does your company use? (answer off that apply)

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* 11. What are the biggest year-over-year changes you have made to your program? (answer by choosing expanding or reducing in each of the categories)

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* PART 5: Employee Related Shrink12. How many dishonest employee apprehensions, terminations, prosecutions, and civil demands were made in 2019? (A blended medium and average will be calculated)

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* 13. What is the average dollar loss per dishonest employee case?

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* PART 6: Shoplifting and Robberies14. How many shoplifting apprehensions (i.e. stops, prosecutions and civil demand were made in 2019? (A blended medium and average will be calculated)

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* 15. What was the average dollar loss per shoplifting incident in 2019?

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* 16. What is the average dollar loss from robbery in 2019?

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* PART 7: Emerging Trends17. How often are you involved in your organization's cybersecurity issues?

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* 18. In what specific areas are you working with your cybersecurity colleagues?

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* 19. How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statement: There is increasing overlap between LP and cybersecurity priorities?

Question Title

* Part 8: About Your Business20. What retail category best describes your company:

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* 21. How many retail stores do you operate across Canada?

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* 22. In fiscal year 2019, what best describes your Canadian sales volume?

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* 23. What provinces/territories does your company operate store(s) in? (Select all that apply)

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* 24. Are your stores located in: (Select all that apply)

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* 25. What is the most senior Loss Prevention position in your company?

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* 26. Where in the organization does the Loss Prevention department report to?

* PART 1: Areas of Increased Focus

1. Please indicate whether or not the following risks and threats have become more or less of a priority for your organization in the last 5 years.

* PART 2: Inventory Shrinkage

2. How does your 2019 inventory shrinkage percentage compare to your past 5 years?

* PART 3: Staffing and Budgets

5. Is your company allocating additional resources to address risks this year (2020)?

* PART 4: LP Systems and Programs

9. What are the loss prevention awareness programs that your company currently utilizes? (select all that apply)

* PART 5: Employee Related Shrink

12. How many dishonest employee apprehensions, terminations, prosecutions, and civil demands were made in 2019? (A blended medium and average will be calculated)

* PART 6: Shoplifting and Robberies

14. How many shoplifting apprehensions (i.e. stops, prosecutions and civil demand were made in 2019? (A blended medium and average will be calculated)

* PART 7: Emerging Trends

17. How often are you involved in your organization's cybersecurity issues?

* Part 8: About Your Business

20. What retail category best describes your company: