Thread regarding Sears layoffs

Of all postings, I've not seen the topic of the "grand settlement" made by the Sears CEO in early 2017. That out-of-court settlement, which has been published and is a matter of public record, involved $40 million dollars. It essentially settled (in part) several lawsuits initiated by Sears board members or investors, who had significant concerns with Sears Holdings (SHC) and the (reportedly) self-serving investments of the Sears CEO. While the public simply doesn't want to shop any longer at the obviously-dated Sears stores, most notably because of a significant quantity of shoddy (imported) merchandise on Sears' shelves, along with the tiring task of actually finding a Sears Store employee when needed; the huge amount of the settlement could have been avoided and directed elsewhere. Such as, eliminating the Sears exploitation of lower-paid and valuable employees. Anyway, the demise of Sears is simply no more than an eyelash in the eye -- you just buy some Visine and move on. Eventually, your vision clears and the eye incident is forgotten.

What was the event or realization in Oct 2016 that changed Sears outlook on loss prevention?

The Asset and Profit Protection Managers (APM) title was never really necessary after October, 2016. At that time, Sears finally realized that APM store personnel and Loss Prevention Associate (LPA) store employees were neither stemming the tide of "shrinkage" of merchandise in their Stores -- which actually occurred mostly from simplistic and continual errors, coupled with the daily routine of poor inventory control. The "shrinkage" was not, for the most part, originating from internal or external thefts. This is curious, while quite real, because Sears stores are "wide open" four employee and external shoplifter thefts. Incredibly, those thefts are routine but not rampant. Instead, the absolute loathing of Sears culture, and inept executive management by the rank-and-file store employee, hastens the Sears demise. Still, Sears doesn't care. Sears is about to fold. Period. The only real concern with Sears right now, and most notably by their (Sears) attorneys, will be the Accidents that may occur in Stores involving the shopping Public and hold-out Sears employees. A couple of slip and fall incidents, a shelf falling over upon someone, or (heaven forbid) an actual shoplifter who chooses to fight back during an in-store apprehension will cost Sears through the most dreaded scenario: RISK.

Who knows, maybe Sears has "built in" an anticipated cost for such scenarios, which would most certainly be recouped by the salary savings of the hundreds who will very soon see their job titles eliminated. A jump from this (Sears) Titanic would be prudent -- just don't bounce off of the propeller when you approach the water.

Whoever is saying the answer is yes is wrong. The answer is no. Lots of stores haven't had LP's for years and are still open.

Our Sears lost our AP associates last February and we are still open the store is remotely monitored by corporate cameras,but they watch the associates, not shoplifters.

No one seems to care what walks out of the store unpaid, but don't get caught talking to other associates at the cash wrap.

Also make sure no boxes are on the floor while putting g stock away,while being a cashier and commission salesperson in the hardware area all at the same time while you were the only associate in HI.

The answer is "no." I work at a store where our LP was laid off 2-3 years ago and we're still open.

A lot of this isn't entirely true. I've worked in management with several other big box retailers and Sears was the only company who actually had AP associates at the store. The other retailer I worked for had just the DLPM (district loss prevention managers). They heavily rely on exceptional customer service and management at the locations.

"If you no longer have APP on-staff in your store then you're covered by an Area APM." - but the Area APM is not at the local store all the time. How can this be safe if the store doesn't have any local APP. Who stops the thefts at the local Sears store when the APM isn't there? Cashiers, customer service, and sales weren't hired to stop thieves from stealing. They just report theft to the APP or Loss Prevention.

They laid off around 40% of the APP workforce (~700 people total). If you no longer have APP on-staff in your store then you're covered by an Area APM.

My personal opinion, admittedly not based on any first-hand knowledge, is yes. If a company no longer is making a serious effort to reduce theft and other losses at a given location, the assumption is logical that they do not plan to be at that location much longer.

That being said, my store laid off some top-notch asset-protection people this month. I have come to terms with the fact that we are toast, and I'll be joining them in the unemployment line; probably by year's end. It will, in some ways, be a relief.