Meat theft isn’t a new problem. In fact, it has been an issue for the last several years. It has only become a more significant problem since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Meat theft is a combination of people stealing to survive, while some thieves see it as an opportunity to make money. Organized Retail Crime (ORC) groups will target high-value meats then resell them to local restaurants for a profit. This isn’t surprising, considering the rising food costs in the last few months leave families and businesses struggling. 

As theft continues to increase, it has led many small and large grocery owners to search for a cost-effective solution. This article focuses on providing you with information on reducing shrink in a meat department and how a knowledgeable loss prevention company can help protect your profits and prevent loss!

4 Tips on How to Reduce Shrink in a Meat Department

Along with theft, some other causes of meat shrinkage are expired products and unsold inventory. Learning effective ways to reduce shrinkage in a meat department can help secure your profit margin. 

#1 Extend Product’s Shelf Life 

Problem: Meat expires before it’s sold to customers. 

Potential Solution: To help improve the overall shelf life of fresh meat products, develop and maintain proper hygienic handling and processing procedures. You can complete this in a few ways:

  • Implement thorough handling procedures for all employees 
  • Maintain a strict daily cleaning process
  • Use high-quality meat packaging that increases sustainability 

#2 Analyze Sale Trends 

Problem: Overstocking or understocking products. 

Potential Solution: When this overstocking occurs, you lose a significant amount of retail profit. Meanwhile, understocking leads customers to competitor stores trying to find the product they want. Taking time to review sale trends of when meat products are in high demand versus when the need was lower can help prevent this problem. Then take it a step further and look at individual meat products to understand which items are more popular. 

#3 Develop Proper Cashier Training  

Problem: High-priced meat products are being sold at a lower cost. 

Potential Solution: Most cashiers aren’t aware of high-quality meats, so when they’re checking out customers, they might not notice if the person switched out labels for a lower price. Make sure to educate cashiers on these items so they can act as an additional layer of security for the store. 

#4 Use EAS Anti-Theft Labels 

Problem: Anti-theft labels on fresh and frozen meat products don’t last.

Potential Solution: There are many anti-theft labels for meat available, but many cannot withstand the cold and moist conditions over long periods. The good news is there are EAS anti-theft labels available for both frozen or chilled products that won’t detune or detach. When you’re reviewing potential labels, consider the following factors.

  • Product 
  • Product conditions 
    • Packaging 
    • Temperature 
    • Humidity 
  • Label location
  • Label application (in-store vs. source tagging) 
  • Shelf life or expiration date

How a Loss Prevention Company Can Help You Improve Meat Security 

Working with a reputable, trustworthy loss prevention company can provide you with many benefits. Their experience and vast knowledge of security solutions can save you a considerable amount of time researching on your own. 

Product Protection Solutions (PPS) has a team of experts ready to help you with your meat shrinkage concerns. Our team will listen then guide you with potential solutions to help you achieve your goals. 

Learn How to Improve Meat Security 

At PPS, our commitment extends beyond the sale. We aim to help support your current and future needs. Download our free white paper on “Improve Your Meat Security” to learn more about finding and selecting the EAS anti-theft labels for your chilled and frozen meat products. Additionally, read our article on how stores can prevent meat theft here.

Are You Ready to Reduce Meat Shrinkage? 

Don’t go another day losing profits. Contact PPS to learn how our team can fill the gaps created by traditional loss prevention solutions and assist you. Complete our online form or call 866-750-5744.