Major malls across Canada are preparing to bring in crowds with Lunar New Year events, including West Edmonton Mall, Fairview Mall, and Eaton Centre. Increased crowds, sales, and Lunar New Year festivities make mall and retail security a necessity. In this blog, we’ll detail how professional retail and mall security guards keep malls and stores safe during this time of year.
What is Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year (also known as Chinese New Year) is a celebration marking the start of the year according to lunar calendars, as opposed to the Gregorian Calendar which marks the start of the year on January 1st. A wide variety of nationalities celebrate Lunar New Year including China, Korea, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Canada is lucky to have a multitude of diaspora communities who celebrate Lunar New Year in Canada, especially in major cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary. It’s typical to see red banners and animal icons in stores and throughout cities during January and February!
Why Are Mall and Retail Security Guards Needed During Lunar New Year?
Many stores, malls, department stores, restaurants, and other businesses host Lunar New Year celebrations for their customers and community. These events might include sales, live performances, and contests or raffles. Since these attractions draw increased crowds and sometimes involve valuable merchandise, prizes, or expensive equipment, on-site security guards are necessary to ensure guest safety, allow for smooth operations, and prevent thefts.
Lunar New Year requires similar retail security measures as other prominent sales days such as Black Friday and Boxing Day. Like these busy retail periods, Lunar New Year sees customers making expensive purchases, crowded stores, and lineups within mall corridors.
Unique to Lunar New Year is the tradition of giving away cash bills in red packets (called lai see or hongbao). The presence of cash on hand can be enticing for potential thieves and pickpockets, further necessitating a retail security presence.
How Do Mall Security Guards Maintain Safety for Retailers During Lunar New Year?
Mall security teams use a variety of strategies to safeguard malls during Lunar New Year celebrations. Here’s an overview:
Retail Security
Retail security guards stationed within stores are one of the most effective methods of theft prevention. These security guards collaborate closely with other guards stationed or patrolling inside the mall to prevent and deter thefts. Read our previous blog, Retail Security: Spotting and Preventing Shoplifters at Arc'teryx, to learn how a Blackbird retail security guard recently prevented a theft at an Arc’teryx in Coquitlam, BC.
Here’s an overview of the types of retail security guards:
Uniformed security guards: Uniformed security guards provide a visible deterrent against potential thieves. Their presence communicates that a business is well-protected and provides a feeling of safety for legitimate customers.
Loss Prevention Operatives (LPOs): LPOs wear non-uniform clothing to allow them to blend in with shoppers within stores and observe customers for suspicious behaviour.
Tactical security guards: Many of these guards undergo Advanced Security Training or specialized Use of Force training, which allows them to use special equipment such as handcuffs to keep stores safe. Tactical security guards are typically present in stores located in busy neighbourhoods or areas with high crime rates.
Event Security
Many malls host special events and live performances during Lunar New Year. As these celebrations often draw large crowds, security is needed to ensure order. Here are some of the duties of an event security guard:
Crowd control: Security guards will ensure that crowd members form orderly lineups and will monitor closely for signs of aggression and conflict within the crowd. In the event of an emergency, security guards will calmly and professionally ensure every guest’s safety during evacuation.
Ticket checks: For any ticketed Lunar New Year events, security guards can facilitate ticket checking and queue management.
Bag checks: If needed, security guards will perform bag checks to ensure the event venue stays free of weapons and other prohibited items.
Other Mall Security Duties
Patrol duties: Mall security guards will monitor the mall premises, including corridors, entrances, food courts, and other areas to ensure continued safety and security. The presence of security guards on patrol creates a safe environment for guests.
Concierge security: Security guards can be stationed at a mall’s help desk to assist with customer inquiries and provide a layer of protection for mall staff.
CCTV monitoring: Mall security guards will monitor the mall’s live CCTV footage, providing a birds-eye view of the entire property. This helps ensure that any suspicious or dangerous activity is caught and addressed promptly.
Emergency response: In the event of an emergency, especially during times where the mall is crowded, security guards will immediately ensure the safety of guests, facilitate evacuations, and contact first responders. Blackbird Security guards can also provide first aid for injured guests before first responders arrive.
The Blackbird Difference: Mall Security
At Blackbird Security, each of our guards experiences rigorous advanced training additional to the standard training required to gain a security license. This training is conducted through our in-house training program, Blackbird Academy, and includes crucial topics including Standard First Aid, Advanced Communication Mastery, Fire Safety Training, Peaceful De-escalation Training, and more.
Along with safety and security, we prioritize customer service as an integral component of our customer-facing services. That’s why our training program includes Customer Service Excellence, which provides our guards with the techniques needed to help customers with inquiries with professional skill. Our guards function as extensions of our clients’ teams by reflecting their values, ensuring each customer has a positive experience with the business.
Partner With Canada’s Best Mall Security Team
Blackbird Security is proud to safeguard a number of malls across Canada, including Driftwood Mall, Madison Centre, and Newport Village, as well as department stores like Holt Renfrew. Our expert teams of retail and mall security guards are ready to share their years of experience with your business community this Lunar New Year and beyond. Get in touch with us using the form below to learn how we can safeguard your mall.
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