Looking at Asset Protection from Two Perspectives

<p>By: Steve Markenson, Vice President, Research &amp; Insights, FMI<br /></p><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/asset-protection-2025-consumer-report-cover.tmb-medium.jpg?Culture=en&amp;sfvrsn=3a6b12f9_1" style="float:right;margin:10px;" class="-align-right" alt="Asset Protection 2025 Consumer Report cover" sf-size="100" /><p>In part because of the unprecedented times we are living in, security and asset protection have become more vital and visible to shoppers, whether more security guards in grocery stores or the latest technology to thwart shoplifters. <br /></p><p>To that end, the FMI research and insights team surveyed the food industry and shoppers about their feelings and reactions to asset protection measures to understand how these ever-evolving times impact their grocery shopping and selling experiences. &nbsp;<br /></p><p>When speaking to shoppers, it&rsquo;s clear that industry asset protection strategies are on their radar, with mixed results. Some shoppers feel these strategies hinder their shopping experience, while others report feeling safer in and around grocery stores. The <em><a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/asset-protection-consumer-2025">Shopper Perspectives on Theft, Safety and Asset Protection Strategies</a> </em>report finds that the vast majority of grocery shoppers say their primary grocery store provides a safe place to shop (93%)<ins cite="mailto:Steve%20Markenson%20%20(FMI)" datetime="2025-03-27T11:37">,</ins> and they appreciate measures enacted to keep shoppers safe (91%). However, some shoppers (20%) have changed their shopping behaviors due to their feelings of safety, most commonly changing to online grocery shopping. Asset protection leaders have been prioritizing safety and loss by enacting security measures, and retailers have further built on their readiness plans over the past year using a range of strategies, according to FMI&rsquo;s industry research.​<br /></p><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/asset-protection-2025-industry-trend-cover.tmb-medium.jpg?Culture=en&amp;sfvrsn=154f3839_1" style="float:left;margin:10px;" alt="Asset Protection 2025 Industry Trend Cover" class="-align-left" sf-size="100" /><p>When speaking to the industry, the perspective shifts from not just keeping people and products safe but also planning for the worst. The <em><a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/asset-protection-2025">Asset Protection in Food Retail</a></em> report finds that asset protection leaders remain focused on safety and loss as they tackle a wide range of challenges, including shoplifting, lack of prosecution/adjudication and active assailants. In addition to combatting these issues, retailers have further built on their readiness plans over the past year with a range of strategies. More than 80% of survey respondents report having plans in place related to payment and data security, associate wellness, emergency preparedness, cybersecurity, violence prevention, and other areas.<br /></p><p>There&rsquo;s no time like the present to invest in asset protection and support communities, no matter how unprecedented times may seem. Check out more insights detailed in both reports.<br /></p><p><a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/asset-protection-consumer-2025" target="_blank" class="button">Download the Consumer Report</a></p><p><a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/asset-protection-2025" target="_blank" class="button-secondary">Download the Industry Report</a></p>

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