All kinds of businesses face the potential for retail theft, from small shops to big retailers. But while shoplifting can be a common concern, it doesn’t mean that you cannot do anything about it. There are simple steps that you can take to protect your retail store from shoplifters. That way, you can carry on with your business without having to worry about missing merchandise or lost profits.
Here are five ways that you can prevent shoplifting in your store.
Install a CCTV security system
This is the most straightforward and surefire way you can increase the security of your retail store. Shoplifters will target shops where they think they will not get caught, so installing CCTV cameras will deter them from trying their luck in yours. And if theft were to occur in your store, you would be in a far more secure position with CCTV footage to rely on.
Make sure to browse through the available CCTV suppliers in the market to ensure that you are getting a security system from a reputable and trustworthy company. After all, you want to get security cameras that you are confident you can depend on.
Train your staff members
It doesn’t matter how well-informed you are about security matters in your store if your staff are not. Train your staff to always be on the lookout for possible threats to security, and have a proper standard operating procedure in place for what they should do if they encounter a potential thief.
You can also teach your staff to use customer service practices in a way that will curb shoplifting. For example, get your staff to greet each customer as they enter the store. Not only is it friendly and polite, but you will also let visitors know that their presence has been noted. You should also make sure that you have an adequate number of floor staff at all times.
Be aware of common shoplifting methods
When thinking about deterring shoplifters, it’s important to remember that thieves come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and backgrounds. However, there are several common behaviors among shoplifters that you should be aware of.
Shoplifters often fall back on crafty tactics such as hiding stolen items among their clothing, handbags, strollers, or even in bags of purchased merchandise. Many shoplifters also work in pairs, with one person acting as a distraction while the other commits the theft. Keeping these patterns in mind will help you to better spot a thief in your store.
Review your store layout
There are several ways you can plan your store’s layout in order to make it less favorable for shoplifting. Install mirrors to help your staff with surveillance around blind spots, or rearrange the fixtures to get rid of blind spots entirely. Your store should be well-lit, as dim interiors can make it easier for thieves to pocket your merchandise.
Besides that, you should keep small or expensive items in locked cabinets and keep track of who has access to the key. If locking things up is not an option, then make sure to place your most valuable items in an area of the store that can be easily monitored.
Use security tags and scanners
This tip is particularly important if you are running a clothing store. Security tags are attached to your merchandise, while security scanners are placed at the exit. If a security tag passes through a scanner, an alarm will sound, making it a foolproof way to catch shoplifters in the act.
Most of the time, you won’t even need to rely on the scanners picking up security tags when you implement these measures in your store. The sight of the security scanners at the entrance and exit of your store, coupled with the presence of tags on all or even most of your items, can act as an effective deterrent against would-be thieves.
Hopefully, these tips and measures will help you overcome any shoplifting issues you may be facing in your retail store. By preventing theft and missing merchandise, you can ensure that your store is a safer place while keeping your revenue levels as they should be.
