As a retailer, shoplifting is no doubt something you take very seriously. After all, if your shop falls victim to thieves, your bottom line will suffer. It’s hard enough to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace without having to cover the cost of stolen goods.
The following tips could help you to protect your merchandise from criminals who are intent on taking items from your store.
Savvy store design
The first thing you should look at when you’re trying to deter thieves is the design of your shop. Ideally, you should place your till near to the door so that anyone who enters or leaves has to walk past staff members.
Also, try to ensure that there are no blind spots in your retail unit. If there are, you can use mirrors to help you see what people are up to when they are perusing your goods. It helps if you keep your shelving and displays low too as this will give you better visibility. In addition, it’s important that all areas of your store are well lit.
Keep things tidy
You can also benefit from making sure your shop is always tidy. If your displays are full and your merchandise is in order, your employees will find it easier to see if items go missing.
Under lock and key
It may be important to put your more valuable and easy to steal products in locked displays or behind your counter. Also, make sure your till is always locked and staffed. Even if your employees leave this area unattended for only a very short period of time, this can be enough for opportunistic thieves to make their move.
Invest in security systems
To further protect your merchandise, it’s a good idea to invest in suitable CCTV and alarm systems. These can put criminals off trying to steal your products in the first place. Meanwhile, if people do attempt to shoplift, these security measures make it much more likely that they will be caught.
It’s now simple to access resources like this. Firms such as Big Brother Systems offer a selection of security products, along with all the technical support you need to use them effectively.
Send a message
Clear signage is important too. By placing signs and posters around your store informing people that shoplifters will be prosecuted, you can show you are taking this issue seriously. You should also make it known that you have CCTV and alarms in place.
Extra help
Depending on the type of shop you run and the level of risk you face, you might want to consider hiring a security guard. The presence of these individuals can really put potential thieves off.
Worth the effort
Adopting these measures does require a little effort and potentially cost, but it should prove to be a worthwhile investment. As well as helping to protect your stock and therefore your bottom line, it can provide you with greater peace of mind and make running your shop that bit easier.
