Shoplifting is on the rise in Australia and accounts for practically 60% of crimes losses. According to the Australia and New Zealand Retail Crime Survey, an estimated $3.37 billion was pinches by criminals in the 2017/18 financial year.
These figures are pretty alarming, especially for stores that have little or no form of retail security. This is why, if you own a retail store, you need to look at ways of protecting yourself from thieves.
Read our tips below and you could help prevent your business from becoming an easy target.
Install CCTV
This is one of the most-favoured retail security measures and helps deter impromptu theft particularly when your cameras are placed in a visible position. Should you incur a burglary, video footage can be used as evidence in court.
Alarm Systems
Check that you have the latest form of certified alarm security systems. These detect intruders at the outset and send a notification immediately to security personnel. Alarm responses are recorded and even if an incident occurs in the middle of the night, you’ll be properly protected.
Hire a security guard
Security guards provide a physical presence which is often enough to deter would-be thieves. They can operate as static or manned guards on your shop floor as well as outside your premises. Security guards are trained to spot any suspicious activity, monitor checkouts, entrances and exits, and carry out regular foot patrols.
Staff checks
One of the most common forms of theft is staff taking cash from the tills in convenience stores. Make a point of checking staff bags on random days at the end of work, to determine if your staff can be trusted and to prevent stock being stolen. You might also want to consider monitoring the hours staff are checking in and out of the store, to see if a pattern is emerging of them taking advantage of there not being many people around.
Store detectives
Undercover store detectives can wander unnoticed and spot criminals wanting to steal from your store and if anyone seems to be lingering for longer in certain areas of the store, they can alert the manager.
Greet and help customers
Get your staff into the habit of greeting customers as they walk through the doors and to say “goodbye” and “thank you” as they walk out, showing them that they have been observed. Also, by asking customers if they need any help, it’s possible to detect if they’re merely browsing to steal.
Position stock carefully
Always position high-value goods near a checkout or on shelves which are visible to check-out staff. Where possible ensure they have alarm tags on them and are well-lit too.
Convex mirrors
Finally, consider placing convex mirrors in shop corners and shelves so that any blind spots can be seen. Criminals are more likely to steal in dark corners that are out of the way from the checkout, so having convex mirrors will show if anything suspicious is taking place there.
