Submitted by Chris McGourty
Multi District Loss Prevention Manager
NAPA Albany NY & NAPA Boston Ma

Over the 23 years in Loss Prevention I have seen this industry grow & change as I was growing with it. I started my career in Loss Prevention as a store detective at Filene’s Basement as part of a Co-op Job from Northeastern University in Boston. I enjoyed the challenge of catching shoplifters and educating the store employees on how the company was suffering losses and what we all can do to help the company be more profitable. As my friends at Northeastern University became FBI, Customs, Secret Service Agents I thought about a career in Law Enforcement but decided to continue on my career path as a Loss Prevention Professional. At Filene’s Basement I later became a Loss Prevention Manager, Multi Unit LP Manager and Senior Corporate Investigator.

As time moved on and so did I. Thinking I have made it I landed a Regional Director Job with Wet Seal / Contempo Casuals at 26 years old. Very "Green" I thought I could solve all the loss issues. Responsible for 118 stores in 18 states I was all over the United States Training, Educating and promoting Awareness. To show you how "Green" I was I have a funny story while I was at Wet Seal. I had to travel to a security meeting in New York. I flew in and had $60.00 bucks in my pocket. I got to the meeting and the seats were shaped in a "U" pattern and of course no seats left around the Tables so I had to sit in the middle. The average age in the room was 50-55 and I was out of sorts. As they begin to order their lunches, Es’ cargo, Steaks, etc. and the cheapest thing on the menu was a turkey sandwich I chose that. Remember I had only $20 bucks left because my cab ride was $40. The waiter looked at me and said "light lunch". I later found out that the companies pay the bill.

As time rolled on I moved around to other jobs because I was trying to support my wife and three daughters. I worked for Lechmere, Filene’s Upstairs, Lowes, and later TJX as a National Task Force Investigator. I was with TJX for close to 10 years chasing down Organized Retail Crime cases. Over my time there I closed 77 cases totaling around 2 million dollars. I have a passion for uncovering complex retail cases. I have seen all kinds of schemes and frauds in business and personally.

There are many in our industry that think Organized Retail Crime is hype but I disagree. I have seen individuals who live off of corporations. They travel store to store committing Identity theft, Refund Fraud, Check, and Credit Card Fraud. Many think it’s not worth spending the money to have special investigators work these types of cases. What do you think? Promoting Education, Training and Awareness is essential to prevent these types of crimes and prosecuting them 100%.

In my current role at Genuine Parts Company as a Multi District Loss Prevention Manager I get to promote, train, and make all the associates aware of all of these types of crimes and be the go to person to help catch and prosecute them.

Time has changed when I first started my career. We have evolved as an industry and continue to make strides to combat all kinds of retail thefts. The internet has thrown that "Monkey Wrench" in the pot but I know we will find ways to prevent thefts. I myself am looking to continue my education in "Cybercrime" because I feel strongly it’s needed.

We must as an Industry continue to Educate, Train, and Promote Awareness and build relationships with all levels of Law Enforcement, and the Criminal Justice System.