This week we have had more kids steel from us than the total number of adult shoplifters for the whole year. What is it with these kids? Two of them acted as if they could care less that they were in trouble. Our store requires staff to call the parents, but I wonder if that is enough to stop these kids from shoplifting again.

Does your store's shoplifting policy address underage shoplifters? Do you prosecute? Share your shoplifting policies and tell us how you handle young shoplifters.

Retailers working for chain stores may not know how easy they have it when it comes to planning promotional events and merchandising schedules. Planograms, marketing calendars and ad schedules arrive neatly typed and organized right to their desk from the corporate office.

Everything I took for granted when I worked for a chain store was learned the hard way my first year in business for myself. I'm embarrassed to admit that most of the promotions were planned, implemented and (undoubtedly) failed within a 48-hour period. Then I learned to plan ahead.

Combine this promotional event calendar with your own marketing plan for a powerful retail promotion tool.

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Results of the National Retail Security Survey, released at the National Retail Federation’s Loss Prevention Conference and EXPO, show that retail shrinkage averaged 1.52 percent of retail sales in 2008, up from 1.44 percent in 2007.

As we focus on cutting expenses, retailers must continue to identify and prevent retail theft as a way to improve profitability.

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• 5 Ways to Avoid Office Supply Scams

While many employment sectors are expecting a decline over the next few years, the retail industry continues to offer growth potential through the year 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Retailers are always looking for good people with a commitment to customer service, the ability to work in a team environment and individuals who can work through difficult situations with problem solving skills. Working in retail offers many exciting opportunities. Just take a look at some of the jobs in retail listed below.

Buyer: Job Profile | Openings
Visual Merchandiser: Job Profile | Openings
District Manager: Job Profile | Openings
Manager: Job Profile | Openings
Assistant Manager: Job Profile | Openings
Salesperson: Job Profile | Openings

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