Top tips for retail security
Security is the number one priority for any retailer. It is not only the key to protecting your goods from theft but will also create a healthy safe environment for your staff to work in and your customers to visit.
Good security will often go unnoticed by the average consumer but poor security certainly won’t be. A failure to meet your security responsibilities as a retailer will do serious harm to your reputation in the local area, not to mention the cost of replacing any stolen goods or repairing damaged materials.
You will be amazed at just how effective creating a safe and secure environment can be in increasing footfall and improving the atmosphere in your retail store.
At select-solutions.co.uk we work closely with a variety of different retailers up and down the nation, building bespoke security systems designed to tackle the individual security threats they face. Whilst every retailer has slightly different security needs, there are a number of common threats they all face such as shoplifting, arson, and staff confrontation.
In this guide, we will provide some top retail security tips for guarding against these security threats.
Why is retail crime an issue?
Crime is a serious and constant threat to all retailers in the UK. Globally, over £2 billion is lost every single year as a result of retail crime and failing to protect yourself properly is a recipe for disaster.
Follow the tips below to keep the risk of being the next victim of retail crime to an absolute minimum.
Pay particular attention to high value items
Any item stolen from your store is a serious security breach but some items carry a lot more value than others and do require particular attention.
There is a reason that supermarkets put security tags on electronics and rather than a packet of crisps. Security tags are one good way to protect high value items but are not the only one. Consider storing such assets behind security glass or away in locked cabinets until the point of sale. If you have a security guard on site, ask them to patrol the area closest to where your high value items are stored and adapt the store layout so it is impossible to easily remove them without detection.
Educate your staff
Your staff are not security guards, but educating them on the body language of a potential shoplifter and the action to take if they see or suspect theft is taking place is essential.
Take the time to develop training programmes for your staff on best security practice or arrange for a professional security firm to deliver one on your behalf.
Great your customers warmly
Having a staff member greet customers at the entrance and welcome them inside is not only fantastic customer service but also a clever way to reduce the risk of criminal activity.
It will ensure that customers are well aware that your staff are attentive to their needs and will be observing their actions whilst they are on the site.