The holiday season is a time of celebration, but it's also a time when thieves are on the lookout for an easy opportunity to steal merchandise from your store.
This article walks you through several measures that you can take to protect your store against shoplifters this holiday season.
Make sure you know your store's security procedures
The first step in protecting your store against potential theft is to make sure you and your staff know the security policies and procedures that are in place.
You should review these regularly so that they're always up-to-date with the latest trends in loss prevention.
Security procedures should be communicated to all staff members, and posted in a visible location so that staff can easily refer back to them during their shifts.
Use security cameras to monitor activity
Security cameras are a great way to monitor activity and catch shoplifters and other potential security threats in the act.
They can also be used to monitor for internal theft, and ensure that staff are following company policies and procedures, like locking doors at the end of the day.
Make sure you know where the cameras are located in your store and how they work so that you can use them effectively.
Install an alarm on the door
A security alarm can be installed at the entrance to notify staff when shoppers have entered or exited the store, as well as to alert them when there is a potential theft.
Make sure that the alarm is loud enough to alert staff, regardless of where they are stationed in the store.
Keep a detailed inventory of merchandise
Keeping an inventory is a highly recommended practice for every business owner, but it becomes especially crucial during the holiday season when shoplifting increases significantly over other times of the year.
Keeping track of what products are being purchased by customers allows you to more easily identify any suspicious activity that may be taking place.
Keep only a few of the most attractive items on display
Another way to deter shoplifters is to keep only a few of the most attractive items out in the open at any given time.
Try using decoy products on your shelves, which are inexpensive knock-offs or replicas of high-value items. This will make it look like there's more expensive merchandise than there actually is, and you'll be able to keep the high-ticket items secured and out of sight.
Don’t be an easy target this holiday season
Shoplifters are always on the lookout for an easy opportunity to steal merchandise and find the most vulnerable areas of your store, especially during the holiday season.
Consider working with a professional security team, like Blackbird Security, who are experts in retail loss prevention, shrinkage reduction, and non-violent crisis intervention.
No matter the size of your retail store, Blackbird Security can build a custom security plan that’s designed to maximize your coverage while working within your existing security protocols.
If you have any questions or concerns about how best to protect your store against shoplifting during the holiday season, feel free to reach out to our team.
Please note that all job inquiries must be made on Indeed and will be blocked if made on the form below.