Harmon Associates, LLC

09/04/2022

In retail, “Shrink”, according to Investopedia, is defined as “The loss of inventory that can be attributed to factors such as employee theft, shoplifting, administrative error, vendor fraud, damage, and cashier error. Shrink is the difference between recorded inventory on a company's balance sheet and its actual inventory. This concept is a key problem for retailers, as it results in the loss of inventory, which ultimately means loss of profits”. Those losses are ultimately passed on through price increases to consumer.
What’s even more troubling are these statistics:

1. Retail shrink totaled $61.7 billion in 2019 amid rising employee theft and shoplifting.

2. Shoplifting is the number-one source of shrink in the retail industry at 35.7%, according to the National Retail Federation.

3. The second biggest source of shrink is employee theft, making up 33.2% of total shrinkage. It can include pocketing cash, discount abuse, under-ringing, sweet-hearting, refund abuse, or the theft of merchandise.

4. Washington State alone saw losses of over 2.7 billion in 2021, which prompted State Attorney General Bob Ferguson to create the
Organized Retail Crime Task Force to combat the problem, yet at the local level very little is being done to prevent the problem.

Very few retail stores, many here in Wenatchee and Chelan County, employ loss prevention agents to combat retail theft and dishonest employees. In reality, how many people actually pay attention to door sensor alarms anymore? Grocery stores don’t even have them. Stores need people on the inside physically identifying potential scams. Store managers and employees are too busy with their daily job duties to spend time looking for shoplifters. Plus, apprehending shoplifters requires training and can oftentimes be dangerous.

Harmon Associates, LLC can assist retailers in contracting undercover store loss prevention agents as well as undercover employees to detect employee behavior that could cost retailers thousands of dollars in losses.

Retailers can contact us to learn more, and how to protect your bottom line.

09/02/2022

We cannot stress enough the importance of safety and security for places of learning, businesses, performance venues, hotels, and gathering places. Sadly, these are all targets In today’s unsettling climate. You can never be complacent and think “It won’t happen here”.

Harmon Associates, LLC has an armed endorsement certification through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, which allows for both armed and unarmed security. We are also bonded and insured.

Harmon Associates, LLC urges everyone to be vigilant and take the necessary steps to protect your customers, clients, and guests. We offer services for these needs as well as comprehensive security surveys and threat assessments. We can recommend changes, show how to mitigate potential threats, or offer solutions to bolster your current plan. Be proactive. Not reactive.

Please take some time and read the attached article which highlights a recent incident at a popular local concert venue. Even though the suspect wasn’t “intending” harm, the fact that some staff were alert enough to contact local law enforcement proves the value of security. Imagine if there was no one around to detect the suspect’s odd behavior.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office now says a man arrested at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington state wasn’t planning a mass shooting as investigators previously believed.

09/02/2022

Need someone found? Followed? Served? Asset disclosures? Pre-employment background check? We’ve got the tools and experience to get the job done. Results driven. Free initial consultation. Call anytime! 570-274-7387. All inquiries confidential.

10/24/2021

This may be an older New York Times piece, but It’s been going on for 30+ years and billions of dollars in losses increase annually. Ingredients are cheap, however the retail product is pricey. Online delivery services have spawned an increase in organized crime rings, even with the product sometimes being secured inside a retail store section. Organized crime shouldn’t be just be categorized as centuries old mafioso members shaking down unions, loansharking and murder. It trickles all the way down to baby formula.

The best way to combat retail theft?
In-house AND contract loss prevention services.

It’s pricey, it’s portable, its users need it constantly, and retailers love to buy it at a discount. All of which makes it a perfect product to steal.

10/24/2021

Comprehensive investigation and consulting services. Background investigations, due diligence investigations, fraud investigations, financial investigations, loss prevention, security services, surveillance, litigation support, process service, document analysis, courtroom prep, suspicious and accidental death investigations. Skip-tracing, location services, security surveys, internal investigations, undercover investigations, general investigations, insurance investigations.
Extensive, world wide network of colleagues for collaborative services includes world renowned experts in law enforcement, medical, healthcare, trade, arts and legal professionals.