Did you know that 1 in 48 shoplifters are caught and taken in by the police for prosecution? That is a very low percentage of people getting caught when more than $35 million of goods are stolen from retailers a day.
As a retailer, you need to make sure your store is locked and safe before leaving every day. Keep reading, and we will walk you through 7 tips to make a secure store.
Shoplifting Then and Now
Written stories of shoplifting go back as far as Shakespearean times. In 1591, a playwright wrote a pamphlet that gave legal services to shoplifters. There was a significant increase in the last half of the 17th century, so they made a law.
The Shoplifting Act in 1699 made it illegal, and if you stole more than 5 shillings worth of goods, you could be sentenced to death.
Today, people refer to shoplifting as “the five-finger discount,” which means when you steal, you are getting an item for free, and it’s just as prevalent.
There are about 27 million shoplifters in the United States today. The 27 million shoplifters cause 330-440 million individual cases of theft every year.
The average retail theft can range from $2-$200. Stores and taxpayers end up paying for these crimes because it impacts security, police, courts, and store losses.
There’s no “average shoplifter” profile, men and women shoplift equally. About 75% of shoplifters are adults, while 25% are children.
A shoplifter could be anyone, and the most common household goods are stolen are every day.
Some examples include gum, Advil, Claritin, Red Bull, Dyson vacuums, Crest White Strips, Cover Girl makeup or deodorant.
You want to make sure your retail store is protected, especially when you aren’t there. You want to feel comfortable going home knowing your store is safe.
7 Tips to Make a Secure Store
New technology helps stores get creative with security. From door chimes and alarms that alert you to when anyone walks in your store to security cameras, there are many measures you can take to protect your business.
1. Evaluate Your Current Security
Your first step should be taking a step back and evaluating how your current security set up looks. Some security companies will examine for free and help you identify the weaknesses and what’s vulnerable in your system.
You can also reach out to your local police department for crime statistics and ways they advise you to add extra security to your store. Talk to other business owners and see how they keep their stores safe. You can all combine ideas and create a safe community.
2. Security Cameras
Just like your house, there are cameras available for your store as well. You can keep it on the outside of the door to monitor your store throughout the night. Or, if you’re on vacation, you can keep a close eye on everything.
You can have multiple cameras. You can also put a sign outside your store saying that you have cameras. The sign can deter criminals from even trying to break into your store.
Cameras are essential because they can also help identify a shoplifter after the fact. If you have multiple inside and outside cameras, you’ll be able to see from all angles the thief.
3. Alarm System
There are multiple security systems you can set up that will help deter shoplifters and protect your business. Alarms are essential because they can be a strong deterrent and alert you and those around you when your business may be harmed.
Alarm systems alert the police to come to your location immediately if they go off. This is important if you’re on vacation or not physically where your store is; you reassure that someone will be there if the alarm goes off. You should be careful about who you share the code with and only provide to the most trusted employees or just close family.
4. Motion Detectors
You can get motion detector lights; you can get an alarm system that detects motion by the windows of the store or the back door. This helps alert other people that may see the light go on or hear an alarm go off.
A thief doesn’t get caught or draw attention to themselves, motion detectors can help draw attention to them in many ways, and if they feel like they may get caught, they will most likely leave and not come back.
5. Manage Your Keys Wisely
If your business has multiple locked rooms or various locations of your store, you need to keep track of your keys. You may use cars for your work to transport or pick up goods, which is another set of keys.
Whether you use a written system, an Excel spreadsheet, or color-code your keys, you need to know who has a key, when, where, and why. Every one of your employees shouldn’t have access to all of the essentials necessary to run your business, and you should split up who has which keys.
6. Be Aware When It’s Busy
When your store is at its peak hours, shoplifters usually strike because employees are distracted trying to get a long line of people checked out or answering and helping people find items.
Be on high alert during these times or have an employee stand by the door and survey the area as an extra protection level.
7. Employee Security Policies and Training
Write, hand out, and enforce your security policies. You want to make sure you prevent both customer and employee theft.
You may also want to call in your local police department or a security company or expert to help train your employees on common shoplifting strategies to look for and prevent theft.
Take a Step Toward Safety
Now that you have the tips, you are ready to create a secure store.
Protect your store from shoplifters and theft and install enough security that makes you feel comfortable with your store running smoothly when you’re not there.
Reliable Chimes & Security has excellent alarm systems, door chimes, and other security systems for your store. Check out our featured products and reach out if you have questions today.