A Full Guide to Retail Security

Retail security tips and techniques

There are many different types of retail security systems that you can tap into, including:

• Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are used to monitor people who visit the store or enter the building. The footage from these cameras can be stored in a digital format so that it remains safe from tampering or loss due to power outages or other interruptions in service. CCTV cameras should cover every corner of your shop and can be used to record incidents or as a live feed delivered to a central monitoring station. CCTV cameras can be placed in areas where they will be effective but out of sight but you might also place them prominently as a deterrent. You might decide to employ a security company alarm response service to respond instantly to alerts rather than simply recording criminal activity for investigation after the incident.

• An alarm system provides an audible warning when someone tries opening doors or windows without authorisation. This may also be linked to remote video monitoring services where images captured by surveillance equipment such as closed circuit television (CCTV) recorders are uploaded onto company servers where they can be viewed remotely via computers or smartphones. This footage helps the Police with any investigations they make.

• Window shutters or grilles protect windows from being smashed or broken into at night. They are made of strong metal and can be bolted down on the outside of your building. With this extra layer of window security in place, opportunist criminals are more likely to move on and seek an easier target. You should also pay attention to high-level glass installations like skylights on the roof. Keep them alarmed and use security grills to protect them

• Security lighting can deter criminals. When criminals try to break in, they prefer to do so when it’s dark. But security lighting can deter these criminals by illuminating their faces and making them easier to identify. In addition, if you have an outdoor camera system that automatically records activity outside your business after dark, it may be useful for police officers responding at night to see the recording of what happened just before they were called.

• Security guards have training in preventing and responding to incidents and can be on hand when you’re busy with customers. To protect your retail store, hiring a competent security company is one of the most important things to consider. A professional firm will know how to assess and address potential threats to help ensure that your business is protected from theft.

• High-security locks are difficult to cut through or pick open, which makes it more difficult for thieves to access your shop’s interior. High-security locks can be used on doors, windows and cabinets. They’re more expensive than standard locks, though, but in most cases, they are well worth the extra investment.

• Mystery Shoppers. Some stores hire people who pose as shoppers but instead focus on catching shoplifters, deterring theft, and observing how employees interact with customers. Not only does this provide a way of monitoring and intervening in the activities of shoplifters, but it is also a way of making sure that there is nothing untoward happening at the tills. Read more about mystery shopper services.

• Point-of-sale (POS) security addresses vulnerabilities in retail checkout points and prevents access by unauthorised parties looking to steal customer details during transactions. POS systems create a safe environment for customer transactions and limit opportunities for employee-generated fraud. Your POS system can also be linked to inventory management to give you an early warning when discrepancies occur.

• Layout improvements that eliminate hard-to-observe areas and dark corners, along with measures to ensure that the shop is tidy, help to reduce shoplifting.

• Retail Security Tag System. Retailers use security tags to deter theft and increase inventory control. Ink-dye tags, EAS devices (such as a form of RFID technology), or other anti-theft techniques can all be used by retailers. From large plastic tags attached to clothing, down to small magnetic strips with barcodes placed on individual products. These items are used in conjunction with detectors (typically located at store exits). Unremoved EAS tags trigger an alarm if they pass the detector gates without being removed or deactivated. In the case of ink dye tags, the ink is released if the ink tag is forcibly removed or tampered with, thereby spoiling the product. To maximise profits, retailers often favour tags over other security measures because tagged items remain on open display and are therefore more accessible to staff and customers.