5 tips for retail security

99.9% of the people who visit your store do so with good intentions: they want to have a browse, scan your latest products, and with any luck, make a purchase or two. These people are the reason you’re in business in the first place, and all of your hard work is geared towards providing them with great products they love. 

Unfortunately, not every ‘customer’ comes with those same intentions. Thieves are alive and well, we’re afraid to say. The problem is, they’ve always been around, and will always be around. There’s not a lot we can do about that. What we can impact, though, is how we respond to them. 

Putting security measures in place to protect your business from the threat is the only way, and in this article, we’re going to show you our top 5 tips to safeguard your business from the people who are hellbent on enjoying your products without paying for them. 

Security cameras

We know what you’re thinking: thanks Captain obvious. The thing is, most businesses don’t have effective security cameras in place. Remember, they’re your biggest deterrent to would-be thieves, so it’s important to nail this part of your security. 

Have as many cameras as you can. In fact, you can never have too many. Cover every corner of your store, and make sure they’re working at all times. You wouldn’t believe the number of businesses we’ve worked with that ‘has CCTV’ that seems to be out of action – permanently. Please please please don’t let that be you. 

Make sure they’re visible too and put signs up letting people know that you’re watching. CCTV is great for capturing the crooks when they’ve been up to no good, but it’s also there to act as a deterrent. If they know they’re being watched, they’re far less likely to steal in the first place. It’s the same story when it comes to nighttime security – if criminals are thinking about breaking into your store, they’ll have second thoughts once they learn their every move is being watched. 

Another quick tip that will help you shun the thieves is camera quality. Get the best you can afford, so when the inevitable does happen, you can help the police with their enquiries and make sure they don’t come around for second helpings. 

Install a security system

It’s nice to think your business is safe when you clock out for the evening, but cunning thieves are always on the lookout for empty premises to raid. Putting a security system in place means that should anyone be brazen enough to attempt a break-in, you’ll notify the authorities who can get to your shop asap. 

As with the cameras, make it crystal clear that you have a security system in place. Shout it from the rooftops. If criminals are eyeing your premises up after hours, they’ll think twice if they know you have security in place. 

An important thing to think about is the type of security system you want to install. Spend time doing your due diligence. There’s plenty of options when it comes to security systems, and you’ll want the most effective system out there. Things you’ll want to be included are access to authorities, quick response time, strong customer reviews and highly trained guards.  

Update your software 

The swindlers of 2022 are very tech-savvy, so it’s up to you to stay one step ahead of them. Gone are the days when our only concern was physical products being pried away when our backs are turned. Nope! Nowadays, we need to concern ourselves with the not-insignificant threat of data theft. 

You don’t need us to tell you how important your customers’ data is, so let’s just tackle the stuff you need to know. Namely, software. 

Your payment processors, data storage software, and anything else that involves transactions and information needs to be handled with real care. Keep on top of updates, make sure you’re installing the latest software, and keep an eye out for new advances in the technology world. Regularly check for updates, and make sure you’ve carried out all of the steps laid out by the technology companies you use. They’re usually very advanced, but they only work if you follow their advice to the letter. 

It’ll save you the world of trouble, and it helps keep yours, and your customers, information safe. 

 Protect high-risk items 

Again, this tip might seem so obvious it doesn’t need to be said, but you’d be surprised. Certain items – valuable items in particular – are high on the wishlist of thieves across the country. Take steps to protect your priciest products, and you’ll protect your profits at the same time. 

Our main piece of advice is: to make these items harder to steal. You can put them in locked display cases, make sure they’re close to the till, and always have a staff member nearby to act as a repellent. Remember, some people will steal anything they can get their hands on, so it’s your job to make this as tricky as possible – and it has to start with the products that cost the most. 

Employee a security guard 

Criminals are far less likely to try and steal something from a store that has a trained security guard keeping a watchful eye. Your guard will patrol the premises, keep their eyes peeled for any suspicious behaviour, and confront any questionable behaviour so you and your staff don’t have to. 

Security guards are highly trained too, so if a situation does arise, it gives you the confidence that your customers, and your team, will be kept safe. Of course, you’ll have to pay them, but the money you can potentially save, and the added level of comfort you’ll provide to your customers, means the outlay is more than worth it. If you want to boost your security dramatically, you can find out more about we can help you with that here

Parting advice

A lot of it is basic common sense. As long as you sell high-quality goods that people want and need, there will always be someone trying to get their hands on these goods for free. We know we can’t help that, but we can use the tips above to prevent them from getting away with it. 

Keep your eye out, be vigilant, and make it as difficult as possible to walk out of your store with products that haven’t been paid for. That way, you can continue to serve the good people, whilst making a nice healthy profit in the meantime. 

If you want to learn more about what we can do to help you with your security measures, you can click here to find out more. 

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