As proponents of an evidence-based approach to asset protection and loss prevention, the LPRC conducts extensive research to help develop effective loss and crime control solutions. We do this through a 5-step process we call the Innovation Chain.
Projects can come to the LPRC at any stage in this chain, and we help take it to the finish line.
IDEATE
We begin by discussing your organization’s specific needs. This can be done remotely or through a visit to our NextRetail Research Center, made possible by Sensormatic and Nedap. As we brainstorm, a clear direction emerges on how to carry out our research to reach your goals. This step is where we determine what data would help solve the problem at hand, and what type of research to conduct. This includes benchmarking surveys, offender interviews, quantitative data collection and analysis, randomized controlled trials, and much more.
Learn more about this process by listening to the LPRC Innovate episode of the CrimeScience podcast here.
SIMULATE
We take your idea and begin implementing the necessary research method.
We are able to bring the technique/technology being studied to our Simulation Lab, where we can rapidly prototype the solution in a controlled virtual/augmented reality environment. This is incredibly useful for performing offender interviews, for example, to see how potential offenders may interact with your solution or surroundings. This step can quickly give us initial data to use moving forward.
Coming soon, we will have a retail sandbox for members to be able to choose from simulated store environments and objects, in order to promptly test out more scenarios.
Additional uses for this space can be found in our write up on utilizations of the NextRetail Research Center.
TEST
We then utilize our Research Lab, which acts as our physical mock store. With over 100 of the latest and upcoming prevention and detection technologies, a simulated in-store environment, parking lot and centralized command center environments, we have the means to further test the technique implementation/technology.
DEPLOY
As we complete our test stage, we apply the technique/technology to an actual retail environment by means of our StoreLabs. These locations make it easy to test how real-life scenarios are affected. Retailers partner with us in the StoreLabs initiative by providing physical locations to test solutions, which allows us to collect relevant data in the real world.
MEASURE
After testing is completed, we measure our results and assemble the findings into a report. This report will be a compilation of the data we collected, how we analyzed it, and our suggestions moving forward for your organization. You are now ready to make a better-informed decision to help prevent theft, fraud, and violence in your organization
Interested in starting a project? Let us conduct a study that will allow your organization to make data-driven decisions. Just contact us!
