In the 2010 Convenience Store News Security Study, responding retailers said security spending represented 2.2 percent of sales, up from 1.9 percent in 2009, and as a percent of gross margin, money spent on security was 2.8 percent, up from 2.4 percent in 2009. One of the biggest issues affecting theft and shrink - both internal and external - is the economy. When asked if economic concerns for the past two years contributed to increase in theft at convenience stores, 76.5 percent responded 'yes.'
Study includes:
 •How retailers rate security problems.
 •Their percentage of robbery-free stores in the past year.
 •How employees are trained in security.
 •Most prevalent types of shrink.
 •Effectiveness of security devices and measures.
 •Use of security cameras.
 •Restitution and prosecution of offenders. And More.