Case studiesGrocery retail — Romania
Gatekeeper Purchek®: preventing merchandise theft and protecting profitability
About the project
Pushout theft involves taking a trolley loaded with goods out of a store without completing the purchase. Attempts can occur at staffed checkouts, self-checkouts (SCO), or stores with separate entrances and exits.
Gatekeeper Purchek® is designed to detect unauthorised exit attempts and command the trolley wheels to lock, helping protect merchandise and commercial performance.
The challenge
Pushout theft can cause significant losses and affect inventory accuracy. Incidents may go unnoticed, while staff intervention can involve security risks.
- Staffed checkouts: someone may attempt to leave with a loaded trolley without completing the transaction, including when an exit gate can be opened during a cashier’s temporary absence.
- Self-checkouts: a trolley may be directed towards the exit before payment is complete.
- Separate entrances and exits: goods may be taken out through the entrance when security staff are distracted.
These vulnerabilities can lead to inventory losses, additional costs and pressure on loss-prevention processes.
The solution: Gatekeeper Purchek®
Purchek® combines Gatekeeper Systems’ SmartWheel® technology with a control system installed at the store’s access and exit zone. When a trolley attempts to leave without exit permission, the system commands its SmartWheel® wheels to lock, preventing movement beyond the protected zone.
The Purchek® system generates the alarm at the access and exit zone; the wheel itself does not sound the alarm. Depending on the installed configuration, the system can notify staff and enable video capture and incident analysis. The aim is to prevent unauthorised removal of merchandise while preserving normal shopping for paying customers.
How the system works
- Entry: the trolley receives access permission on entry and can be used normally during shopping.
- Payment: after payment at a staffed checkout or self-checkout, the system grants exit permission.
- Detection: an exit attempt without permission triggers a command to lock the SmartWheel® wheels.
- Alarm and notification: Purchek® generates an alarm at the access and exit zone and can notify security staff. Video capture and analysis depend on the configuration.
Results and benefits
- Reduced merchandise loss: stopping unauthorised exits helps protect inventory.
- Active prevention: intervention occurs during the attempt rather than only identifying losses afterwards.
- Safer operations: alarms and notifications can reduce the need for direct confrontation.
- Normal shopping: paying customers receive exit permission; the exit time allowance can accommodate additional services at the location.
- Incident visibility: video integration can support analysis, depending on configuration.
- Integration: the solution fits access, exit and operational processes according to the installed architecture.
Conclusion
By combining exit control with SmartWheel® wheels, Gatekeeper Purchek® helps protect inventory, prevent pushout theft and manage incidents. The implementation supports protection of goods and employees while maintaining a normal shopping flow for legitimate customers.
Gatekeeper Systems & Glove Retail — Smart technology for loss prevention and more efficient retail.
Project facts
Client-supplied Romanian artwork. Purchek® generates the alarm at the access and exit zone; video features and notifications depend on configuration.
The outcome
intervention during unauthorised exit attempts
trolley locking through SmartWheel®
exit permission after a completed transaction