A Case Study: In-Store Thefts and Security at Walmart Stores

This report, developed for a CMNS 1140 assignment, focuses on the problem of in-store thefts at Walmart, specifically in the electronics department. The report begins with a transmittal memo to the store manager, outlining the issue of increasing theft incidents despite existing security measures. It then presents an executive summary highlighting the need for CCTV camera installation and increased Loss Prevention (LP) officers. The introduction provides context, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions based on scholarly reviews. The report delves into the overview of the situation, the problem's details, key causes (such as the department's location and inadequate LP presence), and suggested solutions. The proposed recommendation is to install CCTV cameras, detailing their benefits, including the ability to monitor store operations. The report includes an action plan with a budget, timeline, and required human and technical resources. A detailed task list outlines the operational, technological, and legislative requirements for implementation. The conclusion reiterates the importance of the recommendations and provides a list of action items, such as assessing LP standards and researching the latest camera technologies. Finally, the report includes references and a bibliography to support its findings.

Running head: MANAGEMENT
Letter/Memo of transmittal
To: The store manager
Cc:
From:
Date:
Subject: In store thefts in Walmart
Attached is my work on In-store thefts in Walmart, which has adversely affected the
security and safety of the store products. Some of the suggested solutions include increase
in the LP numbers and installation of CCTV cameras. Among these, I came to the
conclusion that installation of the CCTV cameras is effective in terms of monitoring the
everyday store activities. This would be effective in reducing the instances of store thefts.
Consideration of scholarly reviews on the issue has developed interest within me to work
on this topic. I had already submitted a hard copy to my supervisor.
I thank my professors and the store managers for extending their valuable support towards
me. Specially, I acknowledge the efforts of the supervisors for helping me to select a topic
for developing the report.
Signature: ________________

1
MANAGEMENT
Introduction to professional communication: A case study of in-store thefts in Malaysia
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

2
MANAGEMENT
Executive summary
In-store thefts act as compromise to the needs of the clients and the customers regarding the
possession of quality and branded products. These situations are huge loss for the store in
terms of enhancing the profit margin. This assignment proposes the recommendation of
installing CCTV cameras and increasing the number of LP’s, which prove beneficial in
tracking the thefts. Remote access in the LP’s is a technological upgradation in terms of
controlling the store operations. This is through the means of sensors and GPRS. On the other
hand, CCTV cameras is a means of keeping a check on the day to day activities of the stores,
which helps in calculating the expenses behind the sales.

3
MANAGEMENT
Table of contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Overview of the situation...........................................................................................................3
Insight into the problem.........................................................................................................3
Key causes of the issue..........................................................................................................4
Suggested solutions/opportunities..............................................................................................4
Proposed recommendation.........................................................................................................4
Benefits of the recommendations...........................................................................................4
Action plan.................................................................................................................................5
Budget for installing CCTV cameras in Walmart stores.......................................................5
Timeline.................................................................................................................................6
Human and technical resources needed.................................................................................7
Detailed task list.....................................................................................................................7
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................7
List of recommendations as action items...................................................................................8
References..................................................................................................................................9
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................10

4
MANAGEMENT
Introduction
The context of this assignment is the increased levels of in-store thefts. The workplace
considered is Walmart. The aim of this assignment is to propose innovative means through
which the intensity of these crimes can be reduced. Consideration of scholarly reviews eases
the process of enriching the knowledge of the readers regarding the issue of in-store thefts
and crimes. Research on the issue reflects the direct interaction with the readers regarding the
approach towards the issue. Typical evidence of this lies in the qualitative interviews and
explorative research design used for exploring the unexplored realms of the subject matter.
Overview of the situation
Insight into the problem
In-store thefts have attained commonality in the stores like Walmart. This is
especially in the electronics department. One of the striking features is the increase in
attempts to thefts, which the personnel have been able to control to some extent. Herein lays
the contribution of Loss Prevention Officers (LPO), who have exposed hard efforts in this
direction (Walmart.com, 2019). Lackadaisical approach towards the situation is aggravating
the complexities, as the customers are attempting the thefts. In spite of CCTV cameras, 10-12
such theft cases have been recorded in the last 4 days.
The thefts are deliberate in their approach towards stealing small and expensive
gadgets like mobile phones and iPads. Possession of harmful weapons increases the concerns
about the safety and security of the personnel. This is evident from the disinterest of the
employees towards working in the electronics department. High cost price of the operations
adversely affects the profit margin of the stores (Chen & Mersereau, 2015).

5
MANAGEMENT
Key causes of the issue
The main reason for the issue is the location of the electronics department. Electronics
department is located at the last unit of the store. Therefore, for stealing the products, the
thief has to travel a lot. However, the exit gate is next to the electronics department, which
makes it easier for the thieves to steal. In this, inadequacy in the number of LP’s are one of
the other reasons for the in-store thefts (Walmart.com, 2019).
Suggested solutions/opportunities
 One of the recommended solution can be increasing the number of LP’s, which would
influence the mentality of the thieves.
 Along with this, CCTV cameras need to be installed in large numbers, so that
regulation can be enhanced towards managing the store operations. Stable contacts
with the members of the research and development team would enhance the
awareness of the personnel regarding the incorporation of latest features in the CCTV
cameras. Typical example of this can be adopting the cameras, whose picture
resolution is high.
Proposed recommendation
Among the proposed solutions, the recommendation of installing CCTV cameras
would be beneficial in terms of preventing the in-store thefts in Walmart.
Benefits of the recommendations
Increasing the number of the LP’s would help the Walmart personnel to track the
location of the thieves. As a matter of specification, low cost spectrum analyser in the
hardware and software proves beneficial for controlling the satcom operations in the stores
across the globe. According to Wong et al., (2018), access to the remote results in monitoring
the store operations in an efficient and effective manner. For this, the personnel need to

6
MANAGEMENT
indulge in joint ventures with the IT department regarding the installation of modern features
within the technologies and systems. Meetings with the facility manager and IT experts
would be effective in terms of exposing strategic approach towards reducing the intensity of
the crimes like in-store thefts. Sending minutes of the meeting to the higher authorities would
be effective in terms of gaining approval regarding the planned strategies.
Installing CCTV cameras would be beneficial for Walmart stores for keeping control
over the store operations. Regular viewing of the CCTV footage would be a wise step in
terms of detecting the unwanted instances like thefts. On the other hand, Mou, Robb and
DeHoratius, (2018) are of the view that clear picture resolution for the cameras would
enhance the visual skills of the personnel in terms of the day to day activities within the
stores. Even in this aspect meetings are needed in terms of making proper planning towards
installing the cameras at right location. Drafts of the meeting minutes is to be sent to the
managers for assessing the effectiveness, feasibility and appropriateness of the plans in terms
of the chalked plans. Adequate time is needed in the planning process for averting any kind
of discrepancies in the process of monitoring and controlling the store operations (Parvatiyar,
Donthu & Gruen, 2018). Detecting any unwanted activities would be immediately reported to
the higher authorities, so that necessary steps can be taken.
Action plan
Budget for installing CCTV cameras in Walmart stores
Camera Outdoor X 4 Outdoor X 8 Outdoor X 16
Hard disk 02 TB 04 TB 06 TB
Power supply 3AmpX5 3AmpX10 3AmpX20
BNC Jack 10 20 40
18” used monitor 2 2 2

7
MANAGEMENT
Total 28,500 Rs 48,500 Rs 79,500
Table 1: Budget for installing CCTV cameras in the stores of Walmart
(Source: Created by the author)
Timeline
Activities Week
1
Week
2
Week
3
Week
4
Week
5
Week
6
Week
7
Week
8
Meetings for
preparing
the list of
requirements
Preparing
the budget
Assessing the
condition of
the resources
Planning for
additional
resources
Evaluation
Making the
necessary
changes
Table 2: Timeline for installing CCTV cameras in the stores of Walmart

8
MANAGEMENT
(Source: Created by the author)
Human and technical resources needed
 Installation experts
 Labours for loading the cameras from the factories to the transports
 Memory space in the cameras for accumulating the store activities through the day
 Adequate power supply
 Video amplifiers and speakers
 Cables, wires and connectors
 Adequate instruments for checking the plug points
Detailed task list
Figure 1: Detailed task list for installing the CCTV cameras in Walmart store
(Source: Created by the author)
Level 1: Operational requirement (assessing the need for power connectiony, internet
connection, transition between in-house and outsourcing, bottom line, location for
mounting)
Person responsible: Operations manager
Level 2: Technological specification (assessing the plug points, approproiate access to sunlight,
studying the site layout, type of cameras needed and lens needed
Person in charge: IT faculty
Level 3: legislative requirements

9
MANAGEMENT
Conclusion
The recommendation of increasing the number of LP’s and installation of CCTV
cameras contradicts the aspect of in-store thefts, which attains commonality in the operations
of Walmart. Lackadaisical approach of the managers aggravate the complexities towards
regulating the unwanted instances like the thefts. Improper utilization of the cameras reflect
the incapability towards effective handling of these crimes. Viewing it from the other
perspective, this incapability acts as a compromise towards fulfilling the needs of the
customers regarding possessing branded quality goods. This necessitates planning towards
introducing quality training and development programs for enhancing the awareness of the
personnel about maintaining the safety of the store products.
List of recommendations as action items
At the initial stage, assessments needs to be conducted for the standards of LP’s. This
assessment would help in making plans for increasing the numbers according to the
requirements. In this process, assistance of the experts is crucial in terms of averting
discrepancies and errors. Examination of the LP systems would act assistance in mitigating
the instances of malfunctioning at the time of making the actual deliveries. As a sequential
step, meeting with the IT experts would be beneficial for gaining an insight into the latest
versions, which can be incorporated within the systems. This insight would help in making
planning for acquiring CCTV cameras with latest and modern designs. For this, market
research would be essential in terms of maintaining the pace with the contemporary brands.

10
MANAGEMENT
References
Chen, L., & Mersereau, A. J. (2015). Analytics for operational visibility in the retail store:
The cases of censored demand and inventory record inaccuracy. In Retail Supply
Chain Management (pp. 79-112). Springer, Boston, MA.
Mou, S., Robb, D. J., & DeHoratius, N. (2018). Retail store operations: Literature review and
research directions. European Journal of Operational Research, 265(2), 399-422.
Parvatiyar, A., Donthu, N., & Gruen, T. W. (2018). Value of Outsourcing Sales and
Marketing by CPG Companies in the Age of Retail Disruptions. Handbook of
Advances in Marketing in an Era of Disruptions: Essays in Honour of Jagdish N.
Sheth, 256.
Walmart.com (2019). Save money. Live better. Retrieved 4th March 2019 from
https://www.walmart.com/
Wong, E., Tai, A. H., Wei, Y., & Yip, I. (2018). Redesigning one-warehouse n-retailer
routing model in inter-store stock transfer operations of an international retail chain
distribution. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 30(3), 536-554.

11
MANAGEMENT
Bibliography
Feng, Q., & Shanthikumar, J. G. (2018). How research in production and operations
management may evolve in the era of big data. Production and Operations
Management, 27(9), 1670-1684.
Fernie, J., & Sparks, L. (Eds.). (2018). Logistics and retail management: emerging issues
and new challenges in the retail supply chain. Kogan page publishers.
Gammelgaard, B., Andersen, C. B., & Aastrup, J. (2016). Value co-creation in the interface
between city logistics provider and in-store processes. Transportation Research
Procedia, 12, 787-799.
Gao, F., & Su, X. (2016). Omnichannel retail operations with buy-online-and-pick-up-in-
store. Management Science, 63(8), 2478-2492.
Hübner, A., Holzapfel, A., & Kuhn, H. (2015). Operations management in multi-channel
retailing: an exploratory study. Operations Management Research, 8(3-4), 84-100.
Ishfaq, R., Defee, C. C., Gibson, B. J., & Raja, U. (2016). Realignment of the physical
distribution process in omni-channel fulfillment. International Journal of Physical
Distribution & Logistics Management, 46(6/7), 543-561.
Tang, A. K., Lai, K. H., & Cheng, T. C. E. (2016). A multi-research-method approach to
studying environmental sustainability in retail operations. International Journal of
Production Economics, 171, 394-404.