As a leading healthcare retailer, CVS stocks a variety of products including high-priced pharmaceutical drugs at its stores, making it an attractive destination for shoplifters.
So what measures does CVS take to prevent all the financial loss caused by shoplifting? What is CVS’s shoplifting policy? Here is what I’ve found out through my research!
Key Takeaways
CVS Shoplifting Policy In 2022
CVS has several protocols as of 2022 to prevent shoplifting such as CCTV monitoring, locked cabinets, and coordinators (regular workers) who work as part of loss prevention. CVS also has security guards in stores to deter theft and asset protection teams working off-site. Shoplifters are either banned or reported to the police.
If you want to learn more about CVS’s asset protection measures, whether employees are allowed to step in and stop shoplifters, and whether CVS arrests shoplifters, keep on reading!
Does CVS Have Asset Protection?
CVS has several asset protection measures in place to protect its stock and workers from potential shoplifting incidents.
Asset protection staff are hired to work off-site and monitor each store to prevent severe losses and incidents with money or products.
This staff regularly visits CVS stores to see their protocols being implemented and works closely with law enforcement when necessary to protect CVS.
Additionally, CVS staff managers and leaders will create strategies and protocols for each individual store to prevent and deter theft.
They will tailor each approach and method to a specific CVS store to best help protect their assets.
Does CVS Have CCTV?
Like other major retail corporations, CVS shops are fitted with CCTV video monitoring that is used to deter, prevent, and, if necessary, capture shoplifting incidents.
CVS managers must monitor and review the video footage in the case of a shoplifting incident to allow the suspect to be identified and the incident reported to the police.
Through video monitoring, CVS has evidence ready to give to police in the event of shoplifting.
Does CVS Have Security?
CVS has a number of security officers in place in most stores to help deter theft and prevent shoplifting incidents.
In stores with high shoplifting rates, they will have uniformed security guards to monitor customers and aid with loss prevention protocols.
Along with security guards, CVS also has staff members called coordinators who are daily field officers that wear the CVS uniform and work on the sales floor to be more involved in preventing shoplifting.
CVS coordinators will monitor potential theft incidents in stores and work with CVS managers to identify shoplifting trends to combat them better.
Additionally, CVS coordinators will also help customers access locked items and protected products to control them better and prevent theft or shoplifting.
Can CVS Employees Stop You from Shoplifting?
Like many other retail workers, CVS employees are strictly advised not to put themselves in danger to prevent shoplifting in stores.
This means that CVS employees, including coordinators, are not allowed to apprehend suspects, physically confront suspects, or chase suspects in CVS stores as it puts workers at risk.
However, CVS workers are allowed and encouraged to follow and approach shoplifters to make them aware of their presence and notify them of the CCTV and security guards present to deter theft.
Note that CVS managers will have the final say of how to proceed with shoplifters who have been caught, whether it be banning them or reporting them to local law enforcement.
Does CVS Keep Track of Shoplifters?
If you have been caught shoplifting or carrying firearms, CVS will likely keep a record of you on file.
This will either be to ban you from the CVS premises, the whole chain, or report you to the police as part of a more significant record.
Does CVS Have Anti-Theft Measures?
Along with security and loss prevention methods, CVS also uses several anti-theft measures for their products in stores.
For example, products considered desirable or of high value are equipped with security tags to prevent theft.
CVS also has locked shelving which customers can only gain access to by asking a CVS member (usually a coordinator) to open them, which helps keep the products protected.
Other than that, CVS runs many internal anti-theft measures on staff to prevent theft. This includes checking the bags of CVS members and regularly counting and checking the cash on-site.
Will You Be Arrested For Shoplifting From CVS?
At CVS, the individual store manager will have the final say of how to proceed if you have been caught shoplifting from CVS.
If it is a first-time charge for a small product, CVS may be lenient and simply ban you from stores.
However, CVS can also contact law enforcement and follow the state guidelines regarding shoplifting and theft, as is their right to do so.
By contacting law enforcement, CVS can have you charged with a misdemeanor, felony larceny, or possession of stolen property, depending on what you have stolen from CVS stores.
Ultimately, if you have been caught shoplifting at CVS, it is likely they will try to prosecute you, and you will be arrested by law enforcement.
To learn more, you can also see our related posts on Dollar General’s shoplifting policy, if Dollar General prosecutes shoplifters, the Best Buy shoplifting policy, and how Walmart tracks shoplifting.
Conclusion
Due to dealing with high-risk and high-value items such as pharmaceuticals, CVS has several loss-prevention and asset-protection measures to deter shoplifting and prosecute those involved in the event of an incident.
All CVS stores are fitted with CCTV cameras, security guards, and locked cabinets, meaning that it is more difficult for shoplifters to succeed. Additionally, CVS has evidence against potential shoplifters that will allow them to contact law enforcement if necessary.