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Never let your guard down. Remember, the potential risks you face at your store or office can follow you directly to your booth.
Regardless of what security you had to go through to get inside the show, merchandise can disappear from display cases in seconds. Remember to use the same procedures you normally would.
“[Jewellers] deal with clients at a show the same way they would at a store, so sound security procedures as far as showing the jewellery, taking it out, and replacing it are all key things to maintain,” Sexton says.
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Pay attention to your customers. Be aware of who is approaching you, who is hanging around your showcase area, and who is trying to get your attention.
“Jewellers need to make eye contact with the customer, and really read them,” Sexton explains. “Are they there to check out how weak your defenses are, or are they actually interested in looking at product?”
Would-be thieves fabricate, steal, and pick up discarded badges before they come into shows, appearing to be legitimate, pre-qualified retailers. Sexton cautions to not rely on that—someone having the proper credentials should not give you permission to drop your defences.
No matter how tempting, never turn your back on the person you’re serving, let them handle merchandise on their own, or leave jewellery in a showcase unattended. By showing more than one item at a time, there is the potential for a grab and run, or even items being switched with fakes. Thieves use distraction techniques like causing a commotion where salespeople can actually forget what they brought out.
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Make sure display cases have uniquely keyed locks. According to Jewelers Mutual, some vendors who provide showcases to jewellery shows use universally operated key locks, meaning exhibitors may be able to unlock one another’s cases. Sexton suggests exhibitors ask what kind of cases are going to be provided, and whether or not they have unique key locks. If not, consider arranging to either bring your own cases or lease ones that can only be opened with a unique set of keys.
Cases where the door in the back flips up can offer better protection, since it’s more difficult for people to get in without being observed, Sexton notes. In addition, he says locks that don’t allow the key to be removed unless the case is locked are one option to consider. Always inspect cases at the start of a show and throughout to ensure they have not been tampered with. Thieves have been known the cut the silicone along the edge of some older display cases, lifting the glass, and removing the items. They may even tamper with cases one day, and return at a later time to steal.
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Re-examine items before returning them to the showcase. Keep all jewellery trays completely filled with goods or markers. Don’t let non-employees behind the case, and if anyone is causing a commotion or loud disagreement, be on alert and call security for assistance.
“Jewellers exhibiting at a show are prime targets for theft. The threat of robbery gangs is not an overstatement,” says Sexton. “It is very, very real regardless of the perceived sense of security a show can create.”
He emphasizes these thieves are very good at what they do, travelling from show to show in search of new victims.
Although a traditional method of doing business, exhibiting at trade shows does not come without its risks. Some jewellers have been put out of business due to losses of theft, Lamont says.
Yet, as long as the jeweller pays attention and consistently follows basic sound security precautions, Sexton says exhibitors can conduct business and reduce exposure to theft. Â
“If they can remember this and inspire their associates to follow their example, there is no reason they cannot thoroughly and safely enjoy their ‘while at’ jewellery trade show and exhibition experience.”
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Stacey Escott is a journalist and freelance writer based in Hamilton, Ont. She covers various topics ranging from breaking news to community issues to engaging personal stories. Escott studied journalism at Sheridan College and enjoys expanding her body of work through different writing styles and new and interesting subjects.
