At O'Brien & Associates, we offer plain-clothed private investigators that are trained to identify and prevent shrinkage within a multitude of areas that occur in the retail setting. With focus and determination, our loss prevention agents are continuously educated on current and future trends involving retail loss. Our loss prevention professionals manage in-store security programs that focus on external shoplifting, internal theft and various forms of fraud that occur in the retail arena.

Whether it comes from behind a security camera or retail floor observation, our loss prevention agents are focused on the apprehension and deterrence of shoplifters, while most importantly, providing you with a return on your investment.

Shoplifters and Dishonest Employees are Apprehended in Record Numbers by US Retailers. Shoplifters and dishonest employees stole over $6.0 billion in 2008 from just 22 major retailers, according to the a retail theft survey conducted by a leading loss prevention and inventory shrinkage control consulting firm. These 22 surveyed retailers apprehended a record 904,226 shoplifters and dishonest employees in 2008 and recovered more than $182 million from these thieves.

Now statistics show that for the 3rd consecutive year, both the apprehensions and recovery dollars from shoplifters and dishonest employees rose; up 7.26% and 21.64% respectively. During the same time period shoplifter and dishonest employee apprehensions increased 7.65% and 3.01% respectively. The increase in recovery dollars from these apprehensions was up an amazing 30.24% for shoplifting and almost 10% for dishonest employees. It should also be noted that employee theft apprehensions and recovery dollars increased for the 5th straight year. With the downturn in the economy we have seen an increase in theft, which is having a detrimental impact on retailers' bottom-line profits. These losses drive consumer prices higher and can force unprofitable stores to close.