Security Tips for Your Retail Store

by Kevin Smith Author

Keeping your retail store secure is essential, not just for the safety of the employees and customers, but to protect your products and investment as well.

No-Tech

You can start securing your business by implementing practices that don’t require any retail security systems in Atlanta, GA. One is to keep your store neat and organized. This will help you notice immediately if something is out of place or missing. Another is to practice customer service like greeting the customer when they come in and checking on them while they shop. This lets them know that staff are aware of their presence, and paying attention to their activity.

Train your employees in theft prevention techniques, and staff your store adequately for peak times. Shoplifters come in all shapes, ages, and sizes, but a few behaviors to watch are:

Showing no intent to buy
Picking up items that do not interest them
Working in a pair or small group
Acting nervous
Paying more attention to staff than shopping

You may want to enforce a policy where shoppers must leave large bags behind the counter until they are done shopping. Although this will do a great deal to help deter shoplifting be aware that thieves commonly hide merchandise in their clothing, strollers, umbrellas, and purchased merchandise as well.

Low-Tech

Some low-tech ways you can deter thievery is to install mirrors on the ceiling corners to help increase your visibility, and displaying warning signs. Research has shown that signs with imagery resembling human eyes nearly doubles compliance from customers.

Consider the layout of your store. Try walking through it pretending you are a shoplifter. Keep displays and shelving low and unobstructed. Have your checkout near the front of the store rather than the back if possible. If your store has a checkout near the back you should stock larger items near the front of the store and smaller, easily pocketed items, back near the register.

High-Tech

You can use security cameras both inside and outside of your business. Security cameras are essential if you have products outside the building where you can’t keep an eye on them. You can install sensory tags on merchandise, and add an entrance alarm or bell. Keep dressing rooms and all cash registers locked when they are not in use, and use a point of sale system to keep track of sales and cash in case any of your employees decide to try stealing.

Besides using retail security systems in Atlanta, GA, you should make a habit of calling the cops when you have a shoplifter. Even if it’s for a $1 product, you will be setting the precedent that you have a zero tolerance policy for shoplifting in your store, and that reputation will spread.