According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, over $50 billion in retail losses are caused by over 550,000 shoplifting incidents each year.
The optimal security program should be designed to protect customers, employees, and property and safeguard your retail business from loss. A security program tailored to your needs and optimized to help prevent shoplifting can be designed with the help of the following tips.
- Analyze the weak points
- Security vulnerabilities vary from business to business. Taking security threats into account is essential to protecting your business.
- Demographics and crime rates in the neighborhood
- Security at entry points
- Cash, inventory, and merchandise are all on site
- The layout of the store
- The trustworthiness of staff
By identifying these possible threats, your security provider can develop a program that reduces security weaknesses while improving the overall shopping experience.
Installing Surveillance Cameras for Shoplifting Prevention
Keep an eye on your business around the clock by installing smart surveillance cameras for shoplifting prevention. Receive real-time alerts when unusual activity, such as loitering or shoplifting, occurs in your business using your smartphone.
High-definition external cameras can operate in both light and dark environments and are weatherproof. If someone shows up that shouldn’t be there, you can be notified, and the camera can record their face and actions for the police. Keeping track of employee-customer exchanges can be achieved through internal surveillance. In the event of an incident, you can use recorded footage to determine what exactly happened. It is also possible to monitor cameras remotely to determine if employees are overwhelmed with customer traffic and need assistance from coworkers across departments.
Additionally, video surveillance can be used to monitor points of sale (POS), such as cash registers and payment kiosks. By placing smart surveillance cameras near point-of-sale locations, you can prevent the following:
- Transactions that are fraudulent (e.g., voided transactions, sales under a dollar, reversal of transactions, zero-dollar transactions)
- Misbehavior by employees (e.g., abusing coupons, gift cards, refunds)
- The presence of suspicious activity near registers (e.g., loitering, merchandise left under shopping carts, transactions conducted without a customer at the register)
It would also be wise to display signs telling shoppers that the store is monitored by smart surveillance cameras to prevent shoplifting and for added security. Shoplifters may be discouraged by this, and they will know security is a priority.
Lights Should Be Strategically Placed
Poor lighting may make a property look inviting to shoplifters, and business owners often overlook this. Ensure the safety of your business with the proper outdoor lighting. Enhance safety by illuminating steps, covered areas, walkways, and parking lots. Many types of lights can be used based on the needs of your business. Some of the most common are spotlights, floodlights, step lights, and lampposts.
Is it time for your business security system to be upgraded?
Feel free to contact Johns Brothers Security for a FREE consultation. We are a trusted security company in Virginia, and we can provide you with more information about innovative security system technology. We design systems based on the specific safety requirements of each client. Our smart security packages for businesses can provide you with convenience, peace of mind, and time savings, regardless of how big or small your company is. If you would like to know more, give us a call at 1-800-242-9760!