Tis the season for giving. With celebrations and exchanging of gifts also comes a very busy and sometimes chaotic time for retail businesses. Although Christmas is right around the corner, retail businesses will still have last minute shoppers and a flood of exchanges long after the holidays are over. It's important to take preventative action and increase the level of security in preparation for the amount of people that will be frequenting your business to prevent theft and other incidents from occurring. This blog outlines why and how to prepare your retail business for the holidays and the bust days after. 

Update or Install New Security Cameras

Security camera systems are an effective option for reducing retail theft both short and long term. Not only do security cameras allow you to monitor your customers and employees, they also provide a distinct visual deterrent to potential shoplifters. 

Discreet cameras are not the best choice for retail operations— make sure the camera is obviously a camera and big enough to see clearly. It’s possible to improve the effectiveness if you pair the security camera with a monitor that is visible in a public space where people can see themselves on camera— this goes beyond the “smile you’re on camera signs.” 

For the holidays, be sure all cameras ar fully functional and that there are no blind spot where potential theft can happen. Not sure if your surveillance system is outdated? Check out our blog "How Do I Know If My Security System Is Outdated?

Entrance/Exit Monitoring 

With an insurmountable amount of people continuously visiting your business, it's important to constantly monitor as they enter and exit. For retail stores this is especially important around the holidays as people are leaving with bags and carts full of items, which can easily hide unpaid merchandise. Adding personnel to conduct a quick bag check as patron's exit will provide a little extra needed security. This personnel can greet guests as they enter and as they leave, make sure all items within their possession are listed on their receipts. 

Please note, a patron can refuse to have their bags checked and leave. However, if the individual(s) are in suspicion of stolen products, be sure you have a security plan in place to handle the issue. Moreover, make sure the personnel conducting bag checks are aware of this and have the proper training to handle an issue if one were to occur. For these reasons, it's highly beneficial to hire a security company that provides trained and licensed security officers that can assist retail businesses during the holidays to ensure the security and safety of the business and everyone inside. 

Hiring Security Officers 

There are many instances, especially during the holidays, when hiring a security officer is a great retail-theft prevention choice. While it’s helpful to educate your employees on how to spot shoplifters, when the store is busy employees can become easily distracted. It’s in these situations that a dedicated security officer can offer tremendous value, keeping an eye on all incoming/outgoing traffic. 

Both uniformed and plain-clothes guards have the potential to help you to improve your retail store’s security. Plain-clothes guards are more effective in thwarting thieves, as they look much like a regular customer; however, they are not nearly as effective of an overall deterrent as uniformed guards. On the other hand, while uniformed guards offer a visual deterrent, they can potentially make loyal customers uncomfortable.

Ensure All Alarms Are Functional

Many retail stores and clothing stores have alarm systems in place that go off when security tags are not removed from merchandise. Stores can use this security strategy for all of their products or only for more sensitive or expensive items. However, having a system that isn't functional is basically an open invitation for thieves. 

With this is mind, check all of your alarm systems and make sure all are functioning correctly. The best way to know if your business is applying the most effective security technology is to utilize a risk assessment of the property. An assessment that analyzes each and every entry point, visitor access, hallway cameras as well as the play ground area will benefit the school as you’ll know the sections needing improvement. Not only can you see what areas require an upgrade but also have the opportunity to learn about innovative security technology that advances retail business safety measurements altogether.

USI Security | Security For Retail Businesses

At USI Integrated Solutions, we bring together a highly experienced team, keen strategic planning and in-depth understanding of the leading technologies and security services in the field. For over 30 years we have brought peace of mind to our clients through the careful application of investigative talent, technology implementation as well as providing trained and licensed security officers. Learn more about our products and services to improve the safety of your property at http://usisecurity.com or give us a call at 1-800-874-6434.

Click below to schedule a no-cost property evaluation, for an in-depth consultation about innovative security solutions that can help enhance your property's security.