Shrinkage in retail is the inventory loss occurring from many reasons, from administrative or internal errors, to more darker reasons of shoplifting and employee theft. In 2011, the Global Retail Theft Barometer found that the Indian retail industry faced the highest loss from shrinkage in the world. Shrinkage can be one of the biggest contributors to loss in profit. Whether shrinkage occurs due to criminal or non-criminal intent, every retailer should be able to quantify the losses they are facing, and learn about what steps can be taken to mitigate them.