Retail loss prevention (in some retailers known as asset protection) is a form of private investigation into how losses occur, their prevention and detection. The focus of such investigations generally includes shoplifting, package pilferage, embezzlement, credit fraud and cheque fraud. "Loss prevention" is the generic term used to describe a number of methods used to reduce the amount of all losses and shrinkage often related to retail trade.

Broadly speaking, retail loss occurs:

• 46.8% from employee theft
• 31.6% from shoplifting
• 14.4% from administrative error
• 3.75% from vendor error

Retail and loss prevention officers therefore require investigative and communicative skills that do not impede the retail process and yet effectively and consistently reduce loss, using a mixture of technical and human interventions such as: