During tough economic times convenience stores expect a lower sales margin to decrease their profitability. What they may not expect is for the depressed economic state to also affect the trust-worthiness of employees. Consolidated Buying Co. research shows that both employee theft and shoplifting increase during hard economic times. The CBC runs an online training program to help store owners prevent internal theft. The course materials state that 72% of loss is coming from employee theft. Employees are familiar with security procedures, placement of security cameras, and may even have access to the store’s security system. This creates a temptation for the employee to steal from a store, especially during a recession.

The CBC recommends open communication about no sales as one measure to decrease employee theft. Another smart move for convenience store owners is to increase security measures through well hidden security cameras. Self contained models or pinhole cameras can be placed behind the counter. Employees will not be aware of hidden cameras and can therefore not hide dishonest behavior from their view. This is a quick remedy to single out the employees who would steal in any environment and lower the temptation for those who are financially desperate in this economy. By fully protecting himself from employee theft, a store owner creates a more trust-worthy employee pool and decreases loss substantially.