In 2025, a national grocer tested gates, guards, and Gatekeeper Systems’ Purchek® cart-based technology to address rising pushout theft. While visible controls increased presence at the front of the store, offenders quickly adapted—bypassing gates and exploiting human limitations. High-friction measures influenced shopper flow but did not consistently stop cart-based theft. In contrast, Purchek®, powered by SmartWheel® technology, delivered automated, measurable intervention by locking carts with unpaid merchandise at defined boundaries. The lesson was clear: real prevention starts at the cart—not the gate.
Welcome
Welcome to the Gatekeeper Systems blog, a dedicated resource for retail executives, loss prevention, and asset protection leaders who are at the forefront of innovating safer, more efficient, and non-confrontational methods to mitigate theft in their stores. In an era where retail challenges are evolving rapidly, our mission is to provide cutting-edge insights, strategies, and solutions that not only protect assets but also ensure a positive shopping experience for retail customers.