Increased Robberies Put Jewelers at Greater Risk

Fine jewelry is a high-profile, high value target for thieves. Today, specialty retail jewelers are at a greater risk of a robbery since before the recession. In 2011, jewelry store robberies increased by 50.8%, driving total crime related jewelry losses to $81.9 million, according to preliminary results from the Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA). Jewelry related robberies were also the cause of 11 homicides during 2011. This issue of Retail Jewelry Insights® (RJI) discusses the rise in jewelry store crime in 2011 and suggests selected best practices for retail jewelers to reduce the threat of robberies to small and family owned jewelry store owners and employees.