Retail businesses, such as apparel stores, are some of the best businesses out there. However, when you have this kind of business, it is also very important that you keep your store safe and secured. If you own a retail shop, you’ve probably experienced open packages, missing sale items, and products disappearing from your shelves without any documentation or record of the purchase. When this happens, it is probably due to shoplifting and stealing.
Thieves and shoplifters are some of the reasons that might put serious consequences to your business. It’s because they can take away your earnings and cost you thousands in lost profits. If you are aware that retail stores are most susceptible to theft, then tightening the security and implementing smart security measures around your store is one of the best ways to prevent them.
There are many things that you can do to keep your retail store safe from shoplifters. If you want to learn more about them, read on as we’re giving you the best ways to keep your retail store secure.
1. Train and educate your staff.
Training your staff on how to prevent theft in your store can go a long way. For example, you can teach them that a shoplifter or a thief, oftentimes, are those who would want to stay anonymous and usually avoid eye contact with any store employee. This way, your employees will be able to catch anyone who’s trying to harm your store.
Another way is by greeting everyone that walks into your store. This is because genuine eye contact and greetings might change the minds of shoplifters as they will be afraid of getting identified. In addition to that, you also need to provide proactive training programs to your employees. It’s because sometimes, stealing might be an inside job, and training can help discourage employee theft.
2. Implement monitored alarms in your store.
Shoplifters can do their tricks in just a few minutes. Thieves can also break into your store when it is closed. Therefore, installing monitored alarms in your store can help, as these can detect an open door, broken window, or any movement when it is outside your operating hours. Once these alarms are triggered, they will ward off the intruders via audible alarm sounds. These alarms will also send you alerts to your mobile device and the monitoring center, which will then send the proper authorities to handle the situation.
3. Use anti-theft tags, such as security clothing tags.
For those who have retail stores that sell apparel, incorporating electronic article surveillance is advisable. An anti-shoplifting system that involves attaching tags to clothes and other items. Clothing with retail security tags fitted will be removed or deactivated by an employee after the item has been purchased. If ever the tag leaves the store without being removed, an alarm will sound, and the store owner will be alerted immediately.
Security tags are a great way to deter and frustrate shoplifters. These tags can only be removed through a special removing device on the counter. It can’t be broken by hand or any other tool.
4. Install video surveillance in your store.
Another effective way to enhance security in your store is to install a video surveillance system. It can provide retailers a surveillance system with the evidence needed to prove theft. In addition to that, just the sight of cameras can work as a warning for shoplifters. With a video surveillance system, you can monitor all the areas of your store, real-time. It can also send you instant alerts whenever unusual activity is detected. It is also great if you can place them behind your cash registers, inside your storage rooms, all the entrances and exits, and as well as in the parking area of your store. Find out more about surveillance services by checking out NHN Group.
5. Try to place less expensive items near the entrance.
When arranging your retail store, it is better to put the less expensive items near the entrance and the more expensive ones near the cashier, which is clearly visible to other employees, as well. Also, small items are often targeted by shoplifters. Therefore, place them close to the checkout station.
6. Strengthen the network security of your store.
Aside from thieves and shoplifters, it is also essential to consider the security of your store’s network. Today, the point-of-sale systems or POS of most stores depend on an Internet connection for functionality. However, these are valuable to hackers as they contain sensitive data, including the payment information of your customers. This means that if your store’s system is hacked, you may face many consequences, such as losing your customers’ trust, face lawsuits, and pay large amounts for settlements.
To keep your store’s system secured, you can take some important steps. Some of these include installing antivirus software, using encryption, enabling two-factor authentication, using complex passwords, keeping all software updated, and as well as incorporating a POS monitoring service.
7. Always do regular physical stock-taking to ensure what is on hand.
It is also important that you take some time to close your store for about two hours or pay your employees some overtime to help count all the stock in the store physically. After that, the stock levels need to be entered into your store’s POS to see if there are any shortages or missing items.
8. Place a baggage counter in your store.
Another way to avoid shoplifters is by requesting your customers to place their large bags in a designated area. You can provide the customers a numbered tag that they can use to get their bags back after they are done shopping in your store. This way, you can reduce the number of shoplifters that are bagging your goods and not paying.
9. Hire someone that can compare the receipts of the customers with the goods purchased upon leaving the store.
This might be a bit irritable to some customers, but it can also help in reducing shoplifting. However, to do this, you need to train your employee to treat customers politely to avoid offending them.
10. Be extra alert when your store is busy.
Most shoplifters do their business when stores are busy and packed with customers. It’s because they know that the employees are all busy assisting the buyers. Therefore, during busy days, you can hire a part-time employee to assist customers who are shopping. This way, customers will spend less time looking for products, and your employees will be able to deter shoplifters.
Theft is indeed a major problem in retail stores. Therefore, if you plan to open your own retail store, you need to ensure that you are prepared to prevent shoplifters. It is challenging to tell if someone is going to steal something from your store or not, but we hope that the tips we gave in this article will help you in preventing retail theft from occurring in your store.