Supermarket Perimeter - September 2022 - 62

Food safety
Security
BY ANDY NELSON
AN IMPORTANT BUT OFTEN OVERLOOKED ASPECT OF RETAIL
GROCERY FOOD SAFETY IS SECURITY.
Making sure that people walking the aisles don't tamper with product
- and catching them when they do and making sure they never do it
again - is crucial to assuring loyal customers that their grocery store
is a safe place to shop and one where maintaining the integrity of the
products they buy is paramount.
Lionheart Security Services helps grocers and other retailers stop
thieves and others who tamper with store merchandise.
Lionheart employees typically man the doors to stores and
coordinate with store security on stopping people from stealing and
committing other crimes instore.
" When they exit the store, we assist with escorting them back inside, "
said Bill Herzog, Lionheart's CEO. Lionheart has worked security for
Walmart, Safeway, Trader Joe's and other grocery retailers.
Theft is an increasing problem in grocery, and fresh foods are one of
the top targets, Herzog said.
" Grocery stores are one of the first places people steal from, and
it's definitely growing with the economy the way it is right now, " he
said. " Many people can't afford to buy what they used to be able to.
Shoplifting is worse. "
Grab-and-go deli sandwiches from the instore deli are a top target,
Herzog said - they're wrapped, easy to put in your pocket, don't need
to be cooked and provide quick nourishment. Fresh fruit is another
category hard-hit in the perimeter.
Herzog admits that such crimes are hardly on the level of an armed
robbery.
" You're not going to fight with somebody over a $5 sandwich, " he
said. " Our clients dictate what level of security they want. "
62 - SEPTEMBER 2022
Instore communication
Another firm that helps grocery stores with instore security is Hq98,
which coordinates the use of Motorola, Kenwood and other twoway
radios for its customers, customizing programs to fit their
specific needs.
For grocery, that often means protecting baby formula and other items
that are locked in cases, said Stewart McClintic, the company's CEO.
Customers hit a call button located next to the cases, which sends a
signal out to all employees who have a two-way radio, expediting the
transfer of those products to shoppers' carts or baskets.
Two-way radios are a more contemporary solution to problems that
used to be solved using a loudspeaker broadcast to everyone in the
store, McClintic said.
" A lot of stores have transitioned away from that - it causes
disturbance to customers, " he said.
When a food safety or other problem arises, it's also much quicker to
communicate by two-way radio and helps ensure that the right person
for the job gets alerted.
Some customers give radios to all of their employees, others just to
managers and other key personnel, McClintic said. The bigger the store,
the more likely the latter scenario.
Safeway and Kroger have been among Hq98's retail customers.
" A lot of the bigger chains are starting to implement them, " he said.
Unfortunately, much of that is due to increases in active shooter
scenarios in stores.
McClintic said he hates to profit off of those fears, but there's no
doubt that the company does see an uptick in sales after tragic events.
Having the proper security in place can not only help protect against
tragedies but also better ensure food safety on a day-to-day basis.
supermarketperimeter.com
GORODENKOFF - STOCK.ADOBE.COM
http://www.supermarketperimeter.com
Supermarket Perimeter - September 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Supermarket Perimeter - September 2022
