<p style="text-align:center;"><em>The holiday season is impactful on asset protection due to increased traffic and higher risk of shrink while balancing customer experience.</em><br /></p><p><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/fall-shopping.tmb-large-350-.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=499cc7f8_1" style="margin:10px;float:right;" alt="Woman holding squash" class="-align-right" sf-size="244719" />By: Doug Baker, Vice President, Industry Relations, FMI<br /></p><p>The holiday season is often described as the most wonderful time of the year, but for asset protection professionals in the food industry, it is also the most unpredictable. From October through December, stores see a surge in traffic, demand and stress that can challenge even the best-prepared operations.<br /></p><p>Consider a typical grocery store in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Pallets of turkeys, stacks of pies and aisles of seasonal displays transform the sales floor into a bustling hub of activity. But that same abundance also creates blind spots for shrink, safety hazards and opportunities for theft. Customers are rushing, employees are stretched thin and the margin for error narrows.<br /></p><p>Halloween brings a different kind of challenge. High-demand items like candy and seasonal décor are often displayed near entrances, making them easier targets for quick theft. At the same time, stores must manage large groups of younger shoppers, creating a need for both increased visibility and community engagement. By December, holiday parties and celebrations put pressure on alcohol sales and gift card security—two areas where fraud and loss often spike.<br /></p><p>Asset protection during these months is not just about preventing theft. It is about anticipating behavior, adapting strategies and supporting employees. Training seasonal staff to recognize suspicious activity, maintaining clear sight lines across busy sales floors and using data to identify high-risk items are practical steps that can make a measurable difference. Many retailers also find value in working more closely with local law enforcement or community groups during this time, ensuring safety remains top of mind.<br /></p><p>The holidays will always bring a unique rhythm to the food industry. For asset protection teams, success lies in balancing festive customer experiences with disciplined operational practices. It is not about dampening the season’s energy but about channeling it toward a safe and profitable outcome.<br /></p><p>Takeaways for your organization:</p><ul><li>Anticipate seasonal risks by analyzing sales and loss data from prior years.</li><li>Train all staff—especially seasonal hires—on both customer service and theft prevention.</li><li>Ensure displays and promotions support visibility and safety, not just sales.<br /></li></ul><p>Connect with industry peers to exchange best practices on holiday asset protection through FMI’s <a href="https://www.fmi.org/members_only/committee/CommitteeForm/view?id=753B4000002D9">Asset Protection Council</a> and check out our <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/asset-protection-2025"><em>Asset Protection in Food Retail 2025</em></a><em> </em>reports.<br /></p><p><a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/asset-protection" class="button">View Our Resources</a></p>
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