What does a loss prevention agent do?
A loss prevention agent is responsible for averting theft and securing a retail store or similar establishment. They are primarily in charge of monitoring surveillance cameras and roaming around the premises while dressed in civilian clothing, all to observe the surroundings and spot any suspicious behavior. Furthermore, a loss prevention agent must adhere to the policies and standards of the establishment, implement safety and security measures, and coordinate with the police should there be any person caught stealing.
Loss prevention agent responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real loss prevention agent resumes:
- Manage foreclosure and bankruptcy from inception to completion and mitigate all potential losses within an acceptable range.
- Perform camera surveillance and patrol the assigned store and assign location while ensuring to maintain a safe and secure store environment.
- Conduct surveillance and counter-surveillance to detect and apprehend shoplifters, and other criminal activity utilizing CCTV.
- Patrol assign facility areas to enforce rules and regulations.
- Operate and monitor security control and access control devices using CCTV, life/safety alarms and systems alerting the necessary authority.
- Protect company's assets by utilizing state-of-the-art detection and investigation surveillance system, which identify shoplifters and prevent loss of merchandise.
Loss prevention agent skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Loss Prevention Agents are proficient in Loss Prevention, Store Management, and Sales Floor. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Physical strength, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Loss Prevention Agents that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Loss Prevention, 14%
Demonstrated and explained methods of detecting and apprehending shoplifters to newly hired loss prevention associate in preparation for local stores.
- Store Management, 12%
Assisted store management in giving new associate orientations, shoplifting prevention training classes and performed store procedural and safety audits.
- Sales Floor, 10%
Monitored entrances/exits and sales floor for potential theft by identifying suspicious behavior.
- CCTV, 10%
Utilize CCTV monitors surveillance equipment and apprehend shoplifting suspects, effectively close criminal cases while working along with Topeka Police Department.
- Customer Service, 9%
Provided excellent customer service and protected company assets through activities in safety, inventory recovery, and internal and external theft.
- Internal Investigations, 5%
Facilitate meaningful internal investigations and external apprehensions while meeting expected shrink goals by implementing, executing and managing shrink initiatives.
Common skills that a loss prevention agent uses to do their job include "loss prevention," "store management," and "sales floor." You can find details on the most important loss prevention agent responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a loss prevention agent to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what loss prevention agents do because "fire inspectors must notice minutiae when inspecting sites for code violations or fire risks or for investigating the cause of a fire." Additionally, a loss prevention agent resume shows how loss prevention agents use detail oriented: "handle difficult situations with diplomacy skills used highly organized attention to detail manage expectations team player loss prevention"
Physical strength. Many loss prevention agent duties rely on physical strength. "fire investigators may have to move debris at the site of a fire in order to get a more accurate understanding of the scene.," so a loss prevention agent will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways loss prevention agent responsibilities rely on physical strength: "trained store management in the use of all physical security equipment to include alarm system, cctv, and pos monitoring. "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for loss prevention agents to perform their duties. For an example of how loss prevention agent responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "fire inspectors must clearly explain fire code violations to building and property managers." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a loss prevention agent: "maintained relationships with store management via daily communication regarding activities and observations of loss prevention department. ".
The three companies that hire the most loss prevention agents are:
- The TJX Companies175 loss prevention agents jobs
- Boscov's Inc.30 loss prevention agents jobs
- Six Flags11 loss prevention agents jobs
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Compare different loss prevention agents
Loss prevention agent vs. Public safety officer
Public relations assistants are professionals who are responsible for creating and distributing promotional materials to help clients increase their public image and awareness of their products and services. These assistants are required to help develop and distribute public relations materials such as brochures, pamphlets, newsletters, and sell sheets. They must handle all the communications of their clients to the public by supervising social media content, press releases, and emails. Public relations assistants must also gather materials to be used in trade shows or client presentations.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between loss prevention agents and public safety officer. For instance, loss prevention agent responsibilities require skills such as "store management," "sales floor," "basic math," and "internal investigations." Whereas a public safety officer is skilled in "patients," "public safety," "cpr," and "motor vehicle." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Public safety officers really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $38,645. Comparatively, loss prevention agents tend to make the most money in the retail industry with an average salary of $31,109.On average, public safety officers reach similar levels of education than loss prevention agents. Public safety officers are 1.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Loss prevention agent vs. Military police officer
A military police officer is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the areas assigned for their duly protection. Military police officers monitor their premises efficiently, inspecting suspicious individuals within the territory, and enforcing strict legislation protocols and military regulations for everyone's compliance. They locate security breaches, assist with law enforcement investigations, provide battlefield support, and coordinate with other law institutions and citizens for security enhancement. A military police officer must have extensive knowledge with state procedures and military rules, performing various duties, and maintaining peace and order.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real loss prevention agent resumes. While loss prevention agent responsibilities can utilize skills like "loss prevention," "store management," "sales floor," and "cctv," military police officers use skills like "crowd control," "order operations," "public safety," and "emergency calls."
In general, military police officers achieve similar levels of education than loss prevention agents. They're 3.8% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Loss prevention agent vs. Deputy
The duties of a deputy vary on their line of work or place of employment. In law enforcement, a deputy is primarily in charge of conducting investigations on crimes and arresting criminals, performing regular patrols on streets, responding to calls of distress, and assisting citizens in calamities, disasters, accidents, or any forms of threat. There are also instances when a deputy must serve court documents, transport detainees or suspected criminals, and monitor courtrooms. Furthermore, a deputy reports to higher-ranking officers such as a sheriff.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from loss prevention agent resumes include skills like "loss prevention," "store management," "sales floor," and "cctv," whereas a deputy is more likely to list skills in "public safety," "transport inmates," "cpr," and "federal laws. "
Deputies earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $53,877. Loss prevention agents earn the highest pay from the retail industry, with an average salary of $31,109.Most deputies achieve a higher degree level compared to loss prevention agents. For example, they're 9.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Loss prevention agent vs. Community services officer
Community service offers or CSO support in crime response, investigation, and prevention where police powers are not necessary. The community service officers assist the police officers in terms of upholding order and law in the community. They provide citizens with customer service, community outreach, and patrol. It is their job to implement city codes and other non-criminal police associated duties. They provide non-EMS in-home and on-site assistance to the citizens. Also, they respond to non-criminal complaints, building checks, and more.
Types of loss prevention agent
Updated January 8, 2025
