Retail Loss Prevention Basics

Retail stores are some of the most popular targets for thieves, especially if they specialize in small, valuable, and easily resold merchandise. In a retail store, a single thief can do a lot of damage in just a few seconds, even while your store is open for business and there are plenty of people around to catch the burglar. Shoplifting is among the most common crimes committed today, but loss prevention strategies can help to prevent it in your store. You don’t have to pay huge sums of money to hire uniformed security guards to keep watch over your store. If you own a retail store and want to deter theft, here are a few security tips to consider:

Use multiple layers of security – You might consider a single lock on the front door to be enough security for your home, but it’s a far cry from appropriate retail security. If your merchandise is kept in display cases, these cases should be locked and alarmed. The same goes for merchandise storage areas, even if they’re not normally accessible to the general public. Consider motion sensors, door and window alarms, and other security features to protect your valuable merchandise.

Install Metal Detectors – A metal detector at the entry point is a particularly valuable strategy if you sell electronics or other metal objects. If you do install walk-through metal detectors, like those found in large retail chains and in airports, you might also want to consider a handheld metal detector to detect the source of the alarm when your metal detector does go off.

Make Effective Use Of Security Cameras – In addition to security features meant to detect the crime as it is happening, consider measures that can make your store a less likely target for thieves. First, arrange your store layout so that employees can keep an eye on all customers at all times. The goal is to create as few “blind spots” as possible. Install prominent surveillance cameras, such as dome cameras in the ceiling. If you can’t afford a sophisticated camera system, consider dummy cameras. These fake cameras are real enough to fool any potential thief, and serve as a very effective visual deterrent against crimes of all kinds. There are even signs you can post to alert would-be criminals to the presence of alarm systems and CCTV security cameras.

Be alert to employee theft – Did you know that more merchandise is stolen each year by employees than by shoplifters posing as customers? If you own a store, consider installing a hidden camera to monitor employee behaviors. Be especially alert to the possibility of employees stealing from the cash register.

Train your employees well – Great employees can deter theft by providing each customer with their undivided attention. Criminals posing as customers won’t be able to steal anything if your employee’s eyes are on them the entire time they are in the store.

Shoplifting costs retail stores across the United States more than ten billion dollars in a single year. To counter this loss, which has a significant impact on their bottom line, retailers have no choice but to increase their prices. If all of these security precautions are in place, most would-be burglars will take one look at your store and move on to the next potential target. The merchandise in your store, however valuable it might be, simply won’t worth the risk to them!

Author Bio: Resist Attack has a full range of handcuffs both for families and security forces. Also check for handcuffs free shipping

Category: Business Management
Keywords:

Leave a Reply