10 tips to enhance your Retail Security

In the ever-changing modern-day society, the retail industry presents an abundance of security threats. These security threats can be attributed to increased crime, theft & other incidents in retail spaces, as well as the more advanced tactics that these individuals are using in their effort. It is vital for retailers to understand the risks associated with operating in 2024 and implement thorough security strategies that effectively protect their assets, employees, and customers.

 

Here are 10 useful tips to help enhance your retail security:

 

Greeting Customers & Customer Assistance:

Greeting customers as they enter the store and offering assistance while in store can deter potential shoplifters and make them aware that they are being observed.

 

Security Cameras (and Servicing):

Install visible and professionally placed security cameras throughout the store. Security cameras provide added presence in store that can discourage potential shoplifters. Further, in the unfortunate event that theft does occur in store, the professionally placed security cameras can capture the required footage as evidence to escalate.

 

Servicing your security cameras is an important and necessary measure to ensure your CCTV is capturing footage at the highest quality, ensuring any environmental changes are not hindering the vision / quality of the security cameras. E.g. change of lighting, potential debris, change to store layout that may affect vision.

 

Signage:

Install clear and frequent signage indicating that the store is under 24/7 video surveillance. As well as signage indicating that shoplifting is a crime, and the store will prosecute any offenders. This can serve as a warning and potential deterrent to shoplifters.

 

Lighting:

A well-lit store both inside and outside is important for employee, security, and CCTV purposes. Ensuring adequate lighting throughout the store can halt potential shoplifters who are attempting to go undetected.

 

Competent Store Layout:

A well-designed store layout is crucial in providing good visibility and minimises blind spots within the store. Even in a well-designed store layout, there are always areas in the store that will be vulnerable to theft. In these areas CCTV vision should be adequate and utilising other methods such as keeping shop fittings / shelves low and using mirrors.

 

Security Tags and Sensors:

Using anti-theft devices is a great deterrent for potential thieves. Devices such as electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags and sensors on your high-value products that trigger alarms when a thief attempts to steal them.

 

Securing High-Value Products:

Prioritising your more expensive products by placing them behind locked cases or behind the cash register. Ensuring your higher value products are less accessible to shoplifters.

 

Employee Vigilance:

Encourage your employees to be observant and look out for suspicious behaviour in store. Reporting any suspicious behaviour is a top priority not only as a preventative tool, but to enhance the safety of employees and customers of the store. Establishing a culture of vigilance amongst your staff is important, but this should not be mistaken with taking unnecessary action against any potential security threats, this should be left to the professionals (e.g. security, law enforcement).

 

Inventory Control:

Maintaining accurate inventory records to efficiently identify missing stock and any potential patterns of theft.

 

Professional Retail Security Services:

Security Services can be a great asset in the modern and unpredictable retail space. Security personnel can provide necessary on-site protection and surveillance, particularly during high-risk periods. Having physical security officers on-site provides presence that is an immediate deterrent to potential shoplifters as well as providing strong observation skills that help detect individuals that intend to shoplift or are in the act.

 

Security is an ever-evolving component that requires continual evaluation, adaptation, and collaboration. Each retail store has different requirements, contact us today for a FREE security risk assessment. We conduct thorough security risk assessments that are tailored to meet your needs and ensure the appropriate measures are in place for your business to have a safe and stress-free work environment.