Today we are going to discuss how to increase security in your retail store. Problems are bound to arise in any store, and it is the responsibility of management and the owners to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible. Of the many administrative concerns that come with running a business, security is arguably chief among them. Protecting employees and customers alike should be your top priority, and knowing how to increase security in your retail store benefits everyone.
Increase Security Tip #1: Be Aware of Seasonal Changes
Depending on the time of year, you may require a greater security presence at your retail store. During the holidays, especially around Black Friday and Christmas, merchandise is at a higher risk of being stolen. With a more significant influx of customers cycling through the store, it may be more challenging to prevent theft from occurring without hiring more help to compensate for the larger number of patrons.
Limit Guests in Store
During these times, it can be a safety risk to have so many customers in the store at once. When you expect to have a rush of customers at once, preempt the situation by establishing a queue where guests must wait until the appropriate number of people leave the store. Forming a line lowers the chance of incident in the store while lightening the load for security personnel.
Increase Security Tip #2: Invest in Loss Prevention Measures
Devices such as security wraps or magnetically sealed boxes can deter potential thieves from stealing products. While a very small percentage of people will not be fazed by the added security measures, most customers who see the extra protection will avoid attempting to open or conceal items. Merchandise protection is a good source of passive security that prevents casual shoplifters from taking products.
Increase Security Tip #3: Consider Security Cameras
Cameras not only boost your store’s security, but they can increase guest safety as well. Cameras enable you to watch suspicious individuals from a distance while recording their actions. If you catch them stealing high-value merchandise, you can turn over the video to the police for further investigation.
How Cameras Benefit Guests
Collisions in the parking lot and thefts are an unfortunate reality that you can mitigate with exterior cameras. With the proper positioning, your cameras can catch events happening in your parking lot. These recordings can help guests identify possible thieves or spot vehicles that may have sideswiped their cars. Having this information available can help with police reports and insurance claims.
Increase Security Tip #4: Don’t Neglect Staff and Customer Safety
Whether due to overcrowding during the holidays, accidents in the parking lot, or just an uptick in product theft, don’t make security a low priority. Improving security in your retail store can mitigate the profit loss from stolen items and make guests and staff feel more comfortable while inside the store.
You should also check out our article on 3 Technology Improvements for your Retail store.
