Need advice on theft problem in retail?

my store has a very high shrink rate. i work at Spencer's gifts and kids steal left and right. the manager and assistant manager are held accountable for losses and if it reaches a certain point we can even be fired. i was just promoted to assistant manager and suddenly this problem is now directly MY problem, i feel helpless because my manager is kind of bossy and unexpressive and she will not allow me to even try to come up with a solution. i've asked several times if we could try pushing our case to the cooperate office and asking them to spend a little money on alarm sensors that will go off at the door. she's says 'they won't' and thats all she will say at all. i asked well can WE try to put up our own sign warning that we're taking new precautions and will prosecute those caught stealing. she just says 'no'. she fired the last assistant for little more than a personality clash so i don't feel like i can speak up, but im feeling very frustrated....if IM being held accountable i want to feel like i have the right to at least TRY to protect myself. even if she were willing to give me better explanations i'd feel better, but i don't want to push her buttons.....does anyone have ANY kind of advice for me....or even just ways of spotting shop lifters ahead of time.Need advice on theft problem in retail?
The aspect of kleptomaniac kids is tricky. Identifying shoplifters is like looking for needle in hay, and not worth the effort.





Don't you have cameras etc in the store? I guess most organized retail stores have it.








I liked the idea of alarm sensors. You can make a business case of why alarm sensors are important, how buying / renting the device will more than make up for the losses due to theft. Of course, give details of the pilferage thats currently rampant in your store.





Also you can put up a notice mentioning that the offender would be reported to the police. You can spread rumors of how some kid was caught and badly humiliated in the society, badly damaging their career etc. Its there in your case, but again has to be presented.





If your manager is bossy, present the case to the higher ups through some contacts. You can even consider sending an email mentioning your ideas and asking for approval.





In either case, you are risking being fired...so its better to try to make things better.





And while you do this, get yourself another job (just in case).





All the best!!

scars