Peter Evans talks confidence, back-to-basics loss prevention, and THAT Rising Star Award…

This week on the Retail Risk – Podcast, Paul is joined by Peter Evans, Loss Prevention Business Partner at Foodstuffs South Island (New Zealand).

With an eclectic career history spanning teacher, gym owner, police officer, and now loss prevention specialist, Peter’s route into the industry is anything but conventional – and that’s exactly what makes his approach so compelling.

After 12 years with New Zealand Police, working across frontline and community roles before finishing at the Evidence Based Policing Centre, Pete brings a practical, ‘back-to-basics’ mindset to tackling retail crime and creating safer store environments.

You’ll hear more about this throughout the episode, particularly when Peter discusses the importance of basic human skills – being seen and seeing potential offenders, making eye contact, saying g’day, and creating a strong sense of presence. It’s about projecting awareness and confidence, something he believes sits at the very heart of effective loss prevention.

He also challenges assumptions about who can be effective in this space. “I’ve met plenty of 5ft 50-year-old ladies who would scare the bejesus out of you!” he laughs – proof that presence and confidence count for far more than physical stature.

In fact, he’s a big believer in building confidence in people full stop. So much so, in fact, that he suggests it might even deserve a place in the school curriculum… clearly the teacher in him never quite left! While technology undoubtedly has its place, Peter is clear: it’s people who can have the biggest impact when it comes to loss prevention in physical retail environments.

And of course, Paul couldn’t let the conversation pass without mentioning Peter scooping the Rising Star Award at the New Zealand Fraud Awards earlier this month.

A standout moment, they recall the huge cheer that went up when his name was announced, helped along by a particularly enthusiastic Auror team nearby! Though, in true understated fashion, Peter admits he was just relieved to have made it to the stage, collect the award, and “not make a prat of himself!”