LPRC 2012 Update

The Loss Prevention Research Council or LPRC is marking its 11th year by conducting multiple research projects around employee dishonesty, deterring offenders inside and outside locations, understanding what protective measures provide busy store managers the confidence to openly display high-loss merchandise, better predicting crime and loss levels at specific locations, enhancing video analytics, piloting benefit denial technology, demonstrating the value of digital locking systems, and many more R&D efforts!

LPRC was founded by 10 very senior LP/AP executives in 2001 to devise and evaluate LP efforts using the higher scientific standard known as evidence-based practice. Although helpful, for too long LP decisions were primarily based on benchmarking, small-scale testing or other methods. The founding LP VPs realized violence, crippling losses and loss of reputation demanded a higher standard of evidence as do medical practitioners.

Evidence-based LP/AP or evidence-based practice (EBP) aims to apply the best available evidence gained from the scientific method to clinical decision making. It seeks to assess the strength of evidence of the risks and benefits of treatments (including lack of treatment) and diagnostic tests.[ This helps clinicians to learn whether or not any treatment will do more good than harm.

The LPRC is driven by retailer members supported by active solution partners and product manufacturers, with a standing board of advisors (BOA) providing strategic guidance. This year the LPRC plans to release quarterly research action updates, weekly research notes, reports, and news links, present findings and conduct multiple breakout and brainstorming sessions at the annual LPRC Impact Workshop and Conference. This year’s Impact will be hosted by the University of Florida October 15th-17th with over 150 key executives participating!

For more information on the LPRC and your possible involvement, please contact Dr. Read Hayes at read@lpresearch.org.