# Investigate shrink at my store and build a loss prevention plan

Separates theft, process errors, and vendor issues using your shrink and exception data, then gives a 30-day reduction plan.

- Topic: Projects & Operations
- Framework: Few-Shot
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Plan, Research, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/investigate-shrink-at-my-store-and-build-a-loss-prevention-plan

## Prompt

```text
Help me investigate shrink at my store and plan how to reduce it.

**Store and period:** [STORE, LAST TWO PHYSICAL INVENTORY DATES]
**Shrink results:** [SHRINK % OF SALES and $, vs. company average and last year]
**Where the loss shows up:** [TOP CATEGORIES or SKUs, by department if known]
**Known issues:** [e.g. "lots of no-receipt returns", "frequent price overrides", "receiving backlog", "stockroom door left open"]
**Exception reports available:** [voids, no-sale drawer opens, refunds without receipt, discounts, price overrides - by associate and time]
**Current controls:** [security tags, cameras, locked cases, receiving procedures, door checks]

Do this:
1. Sort likely causes into four buckets: external theft, internal theft, process and paperwork errors (receiving, transfers, markdowns not booked, damages not recorded), and vendor fraud or short shipments. Say which evidence points to each.
2. Suggest checks that tell them apart (e.g. compare shipped vs. received counts, refund patterns by time and register, markdowns booked vs. tagged).
3. Recommend controls ranked by cost and impact, from quick process fixes to equipment.
4. Write a 30-day action plan with owners, including a targeted count of the top-loss SKUs.

Guardrails:
- Treat exception-report patterns as leads, not proof. Do not name or accuse any individual; anything involving a specific employee goes to loss prevention or HR to investigate under company policy and local law.
- Never recommend chasing, detaining, or physically confronting suspected shoplifters. Associate and customer safety comes first; follow company policy.
```

## What to fill in

- STORE, LAST TWO PHYSICAL INVENTORY DATES
- SHRINK % OF SALES and $, vs. company average and last year
- TOP CATEGORIES or SKUs, by department if known

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