Merchandise returns are a way of life in the retail industry, but with the National Retail Federation (NRF) pegging return fraud as costing retailers a collective $9.6 billion annually, it makes sense to take steps to ensure that as many returns as possible are truly legitimate.

What’s more, the survey indicates, organized retail crime is not only an isolated problem in a handful of areas across the country. A staggering 72% of retailers who participated in the survey said they have identified organized retail crime syndicates who are exporting goods outside of the U.S. or across state lines.

With the use of social media going through the roof, it is easier than ever for retail and restaurant customers to let seemingly the entire world know about the experiences they have had with the businesses they have patronized. If the word is good, put it to work for you.

Suggestive selling is as important for retailers as it is for restaurants. At pcAmerica, we believe that in order to sell suggestively, merchants and their employees should:

Just as customers shouldn’t compromise on the products they purchase or the food they consume, retailers and restaurateurs shouldn’t settle for second best when it comes to point of sale solutions. In the past, there existed almost no choice but to do so because most available applications were generic in nature.

Not long ago, touchscreens were among those categories of technology that were nice—but not essential—for retailers to have. Today, nothing could be further from the truth, because touchscreen monitors are an essential for retailers and restaurant operators alike. In fact, pcAmerica rarely ships a point of sale system that lacks a touchscreen component.

In short, to obtain a true picture of how well your retail business faring, you need a completely accurate accounting of how much inventory you own. And computerizing your point of sale system with a solution like pcAmerica’s Cash Register Express makes that job a lot easier.

Similarly, some retailers are taking a look at point of sale data analyses and tailoring their pitches to a wireless world with time- and location-based mobile marketing. For example, a convenience store owner might text information about a lunchtime deal to a “frequent shopper club” member’s cell phone at noon, and then, once he’s in the store, offer additional personalized promotions in line with previous purchases.

Data analysis that reveals common purchasing affinities can also be used to put together more creative, effective promotions. For example, if you notice that two particular items are frequently bought together, you can structure a “buy two of each, get one of each free” offer.

But what’s even scarier about these statistics is the increasing sophistication of the perpetrators who are behind them. For example, criminals have recently figured out a way to “hijack” checking account data from point of sale and other systems and use the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system to fund and replenish gift cards.