It’s estimated that shoplifters cost stores billions of dollars in lost merchandise each year. Theft can be detrimental to any sized business, and it doesn’t help that during the holidays, shoplifters tend to risk stealing higher ticket items.
On top of shoplifters, it’s important to recognize that dishonest employees can also be to blame for the loss of merchandise during the holidays. So, as a company or business owner, what can you do to prevent retail theft?
SEi has been providing businesses with security solutions for over 50 years, so we have a few tips to help your business, no matter the size, stay protected this winter.
1. Staff Adequately
Both large chains and small boutiques will often hire more part-time workers during the holidays to keep up with the increase in customers and operating hours. This is beneficial not only for keeping your store running smoothly but also for security.
Having more employees in-store means more eyes on your products as well as suspicious shoppers. Crowded stores increase the opportunity for theft but having more employees will help balance the odds in your favor.
If you do hire more employees for the holidays, be sure to do proper screening and thorough interviews to mitigate the potential for dishonest hires.
2. Know the Signs of a Shoplifter
Talk to your employees about preventing potential crimes and explain to them some telltale signs of shoplifting. Often, shoplifters will show signs before leaving your store with unpaid merchandise, such as wearing baggy clothes, spending lots of time in a single aisle, carrying large bags, and continuously checking if you’re watching. Keep your employees informed so they can be on the lookout.
Be sure to mention that profiling is never the answer. All shoppers should be treated with the same level of trust, respect, and suspicion.
3. Keep Your Eyes on Everything 24/7/365
Installing security cameras is the single best way to keep an eye on your store, customers, and employees. Video surveillance equipment is a deterrent against costly theft, fraud, and vandalism and can help improve employee productivity. You can also keep an eye on your entrance and inventory, and monitor customers, employees, deliveries, service providers, and other visitors. You’ll be able to spot shoplifters, detect employee theft, and see just what goes on when you’re not around.
With SEi, all of our security camera systems are customizable. Whether you’re a small mom-and-pop who only needs one camera or a large company with multiple locations, we can create the right system for your needs.
As the owner, you can view multiple locations with one account and all your video footage can be stored in the cloud for easy access. This means that whether you’re on a holiday vacation, spending the day at home with a sick child, or just grabbing lunch, you can view live camera footage or review previous footage using your phone or computer.
4. Manage Who Comes and Goes
Know the ins and outs of when and where employees are on any given day by adding access control to your security system. This allows you to manage when employees open shop, and lets you create specialized access levels, security zones, make time and date ranges, and provide multiple location access in a very simplified way. This allows you to set up alerts if an employee accessed the storage room on a day they wouldn’t have needed to, for example.
With access control, you get to regulate who has access to what and when they have access. You can apply access control solutions to showroom display cases, equipment cabinets, and storage drawers to keep specific items secure at all times.
SEi’s hosted access control makes managing the system easy. Add and delete users, change user permissions from virtually anywhere. Your access control “software” lives in the cloud so there is no need for a costly designated server, workstation, or employee managing the system. Plus, you can run reports on the movements of your employees and visitors in your building, whenever you need them.
Stay Safe and Secure with SEi this Holiday Season
As we dive into the holiday season, SEi understands both the excitement and the worries for business owners. This year, on top of worrying about shoplifters, there are still many concerns about the Coronavirus and its impact on storefronts.
With a monitored business security system, you can help put some of those worries to rest. Surveillance systems can help your business when it comes to both theft and potential contract tracing of COVID-19. And with access control and our detailed reporting, you can safely limit the number of people in your store while also making sure your employees are exactly where they need to be.
If you’re interested in learning more about how a customized security system from SEi could benefit your business this holiday season, contact us. We’re always available to answer any questions you have, and we can come up with a solution that fits your business’s needs.
