Top Retail Security Tips for Black Friday

Without the right advance preparation and professional retail security support, maintaining a safe and organized environment can be a difficult and overwhelming challenge for staff. When staff are overwhelmed, bad actors are more likely to target your store for shoplifting, and legitimate customers will have an unpleasant shopping experience. But it doesn’t have to be that way, so long as you plan ahead accordingly. 

At Blackbird Security, we have a decade of experience protecting Canadian retailers from coast to coast on Black Friday. We’ve used our mall and retail security knowledge to put together this guide for store managers, owners, and retail decision-makers to help you stay ahead of the curve before Black Friday. This article will teach you how to set yourself, your store, and your team up for success this season. 

Key Takeaways:

• Across Canada, shoplifting has increased by 66% since 2016. Stores are vulnerable to theft during chaotic Black Friday events.  
• Retail security guards prevent retail theft, manage customer flow, and respond to emergencies, keeping both your inventory and your team safe.
• Start planning your retail security strategy early. Review last year’s incidents, update protocols and procedures, and book your loss prevention team well in advance.
• A professional retail security company will help you reduce shrinkage, maintain organization, and create a safer shopping experience for everyone on Black Friday.

Does My Store Need Retail Security and Loss Prevention on Black Friday?

If your store plans to offer Black Friday sales, you most likely need a security presence. This is especially true for retailers located on busy downtown high streets or within malls. For example, Vancouver’s popular Pacific Centre mall has recently seen an uptick in shoplifting incidents, underscoring the importance of shopping mall security.

During chaotic sales, shoplifters are more likely to go unnoticed as they escape with stolen goods. Staff team members will be busy helping shoppers and keeping the store floor organized, and won’t have the time or training to watch closely for shoplifters the way a dedicated security guard can. Employees can also be injured while attempting to prevent shoplifting incidents, particularly in organized retail crime incidents. 

Across Canada, shoplifting has increased by 66% since 2016. Busy end-of-year sales periods are a time when stores are most vulnerable. For your and your team’s peace of mind, hiring a retail security team is the best option. Next, we’ll look at steps you can take to ensure your store's safety ahead of Black Friday. 

1. Prepare Early

The earlier you organize your security strategy, the better prepared you’ll be to meet the sales season with confidence. Preparation includes reviewing or building your security strategy, ordering access control barriers or ropes, planning movement through and around your store, and procuring retail security guard services. You should secure coverage at least one month in advance of Black Friday. 

2. Review Insights from Last Year’s Black Friday

If you have incident reports or a written record of events that took place during last year’s sale weekend, now is the time to review them. Take note of what worked and what didn’t, then use these insights to adjust your strategy for this year. If you don’t have a written record of last year’s Black Friday event, speak with staff members who were on shift last year to get their perspective. 

3. Prepare Access Control

Access control is a critical piece of any Black Friday security strategy. The last thing you want is for your store to be overwhelmed by excited shoppers, which can quickly lead to dangerous overcrowding. 

Limit your entry and exit points to keep foot traffic manageable. If your street-accessible store has multiple entrances, consider designating one for the entrance and one for the exit. This will allow for greater organization, as you’ll be able to more easily control how many customers enter your store at one time.

Depending on the scale of your store, consider using barriers or stanchions to create clear pathways for customers and reduce crowding near entrances. If your store already has stanchions at the checkout counter, you may want to increase the area they cover to allow for more coverage.

Your security partner will offer tailored recommendations for your store.

4. Prepare Crowd Management

Plan to have one or two staff members, plus a security guard, stationed near the entrance to stagger entry when lineups form outside. Post visible signage for store departments, checkout counters, and high-demand areas to streamline customer movement. 

Crowd surges are a risk during busy retail events. These happen when too many people enter a confined area at once and can result in serious injuries. Crowd surges can also be triggered by panicked shoppers trying to exit at once or by conflicts between shoppers. Train your team to recognize the early signs of crowd surges and potential conflicts. Outline a clear procedure for alerting security to issues, such as radio communication.

5. Plan Around High-Value Merchandise

Expensive merchandise typically needs special protection on Black Friday. Make a plan in advance to keep valuable inventory as secure as possible, such as having undercover loss prevention security guards monitor shoppers in the area and implementing specialized protocols. Consider moving expensive goods behind checkout counters or inside locked cases. 

6. Update Staff on Loss Prevention Protocols

Hold team-wide information sessions to review procedures for reporting shrinkage and theft, and flagging security incidents to security guards. Ensure all employees know how to report suspicious behaviour.

Having everyone on the same page well in advance of the sale weekend ensures that everyone has the opportunity to ask questions and gain a full understanding of how the weekend will proceed. 

7. Review Emergency and Theft Response Procedures with Staff

In addition to loss prevention protocols, review emergency procedures, exit routes, evacuation procedures, and communication protocols with staff members. Your security team will be able to support staff in an emergency by facilitating evacuations if needed or administering first aid to injured individuals. 

How a Retail Security Team Can Help Your Store Achieve Its Goals

A retail security team not only prevents theft but also helps deliver a safer, more organized shopping experience for your staff and customers. With a dedicated security team on hand to mitigate shrinkage, control crowds, and monitor for conflict, your team will be able to focus on delivering excellent customer service and helping secure sales. Loss prevention guards will respond to issues immediately and monitor high-value sections, protecting your bottom line. 

Partnering with a retail security company also communicates to shoppers that their safety is a priority. Guards can serve as safety ambassadors, helping customers with questions and concerns throughout the day. A solid security presence will ensure your store provides a smooth experience, even under the pressure of Black Friday crowds. 

No two retail environments are exactly the same. Your security partner will provide tailored recommendations to minimize threats and maximize safety, allowing you and your team to focus on preparing your store for Black Friday. 

The Blackbird Difference: Retail and Mall Security on Black Friday

Over the years, we’ve streamlined our retail security processes to handle high-traffic store environments as efficiently as possible. Our teams are experienced with the unique challenges posed by both mall and storefront retail security. Each of our guards receives extensive training through our industry-leading Blackbird Academy program in key areas, including peaceful de-escalation, customer service, first aid, and so much more.

In addition to our extensively trained personnel, our regional managers proudly provide on-the-ground support during Black Friday to help our teams deliver their best and ensure operations run smoothly. Find out more about how our team supports our retail clients in our YouTube video, Black Friday with Blackbird Security. 

Partner With Blackbird Security This Black Friday

We have a proven track record in loss prevention, crowd management, and access control, enabling our clients to deliver a streamlined, enjoyable experience for customers while maximizing profits. We’ve partnered with some of the most significant names in retail across Canada, including Arc’teryx, MEC, Aritzia, Sephora, and so many more. 

If you need retail security, undercover loss prevention, or mall security for your shopping centre, get in touch with us to secure your Black Friday coverage.