Theft Prevention at Christmas Shops

It might be the holidays all year long at Christmas shops, but along with the cheer, the potential for theft also still exists. For this article, store staff members discussed top theft prevention tips.

At City Lights Collectibles in San Diego, Calif., Manager Brian Young said, “We have cases for some high-end items, but we also rely a great deal on our store employees. We have 14 different members of our customer service staff on the floor at one time to keep an eye on things and help people.”

In Manteo, N.C., Patricia Lassen, manager of The Christmas Shop, related, “We really don’t have anything in locked cases other than a few high-end jewelry lines. For us, it’s more about keeping a watchful eye on things. Our staff walks around the store a lot.”

Paula Cookenour, who handles sales and display at Jule Haus in Solvang laughs when asked about theft prevention. “Prayer helps,” she said. “Mostly we have not had blatant loss. We are blessed to have a beautiful store, and most people respect that. If we have misgivings about someone, we usually come up and ask them ‘Do you have anything in mind?’ Using a little catch phrase like that, letting them know you’re ready for them at the counter and watching them, that usually helps to prevent any theft.”

In Harrisonburg, Va., at the Snow and Ice Christmas and Gift Store, Owner Dustin Kline said, “Most of our theft prevention involves being around and engaging with our customers, trying to create a more personalized experience. We don’t hover or follow people around though. Ever since I have opened, I have always had the philosophy that if I had to follow every customer around like a lost puppy, I’m not going to do retail. Fortunately, theft rarely happens, and when it does, it is often right in front of your nose, and the harder I try to prevent it, the more it could happen. So, really it’s all about building relationships with regular customers and tourists alike. We like to be visible and present, and make sure they feel they’re in a community store, dealing with someone personally, not a corporation. That makes a difference. Being engaged and visible is key,” he explained.

Overall, theft prevention techniques rely on an engaged staff visibly present to keep Christmas stores merry. ❖ and different, you can’t find him at all in most Christmas stores,” Rausch attested. The smoker figure was first created in 1850 and comes in a variety of themes, from Santa Claus and chimney sweep, to baker and countless others.

To display his unique collection of merchandise, Rausch said all staff members in his 1,000-square-foot shop, including himself, work on that. “Glass items you put on the trees, the wooden items on a shelf. When I’ve sold an item, I know to restock it and where to replace it. We continually replace and design our displays. When I have a good weekend, by Monday morning, I am glad to do that if we have an empty shelf. That is my dream,” he laughed.

Jule Hus has been in business for 53 years, and the Solvang, Calif., shop is still offering the merriest of Christmas merchandise to its shoppers, according to Paula Cookenour , who handles sales and display at the store, and has herself been a part of the store for 30 years. And even a pandemic can’t dampen the cheerful tone the store sets for shoppers.

“We do have a few hours a day where we offer pickup, but really the only major change we have made is asking people to wear masks, and most people have given us great cooperation. We also have what we call “hand santa-izing” in the store for our customers, and as a part of our very careful and proficient cleaning,” Cookenour explained. “We try to be gracious to the customer, and if they want us to bring a package out front, and have already paid for it over the phone, we can work that out.” While the store was closed during the pandemic for a few months, no online model was created. Instead, the store simply reopened when allowed with signage on the wall about masks and social distancing. “We try to keep the store light and happy. It is known for being a fun and cheerful place, and that’s how we want to keep it.”

That experience translates into the store’s display as well. “We do not use wall racks. We have some Christmas trees, and we have some hanging on half trees suspended on the wall. Those are all themed. But for the most part, we display using layered tables with trays of ornaments, as well as two turn-style racks that we have resin ornaments displayed on. We would never display our authentic European glass that way.” Lassen explained that other than working to alleviate any

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