Retail Security: How Do You Stop Shoplifters In Your Store?

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Online retail is definitely starting to dominate the overall retail landscape right now. In fact, there’s still plenty of debate over whether or not physical stores still have a place in today’s world. The truth is that there is still some value to having a classic brick & mortar store - particularly for local retail businesses or companies who offer products that need to be seen/bought in person. 

Regardless, you’re reading this because you have a physical store and you’re concerned about security issues. That’s one of the main downsides to physical retail outlets; it’s easier to shoplift than it is to steal things online. So, if you are running a brick & mortar store, then you have to ensure your security measures are up to scratch. 

Today, we’ll run through some of the most effective ways you can prevent shoplifting in your store:

Install a CCTV security system

If you don’t have a CCTV system installed in your store, then you’re asking for trouble. It’s one of the simplest ways to deter shoplifters as they won’t risk being caught on camera. There are two key things to consider when you install your system:

  • Camera quality

  • Blind spots

The issue with a lot of CCTV systems is that they’re outdated. As a result, the picture and video quality are terrible. You end up with really blurry images that are difficult to decipher, which means a lot of criminals can get away. If someone knows the cameras are poor, they’ll be more likely to take a risk as they’re confident of getting away without being identified. So, make sure you choose a modern system with very clear pictures for you to look at. 

Secondly, you have to install the system so you can see everything in your store. One mistake is to leave blind spots where people aren’t picked up by any cameras in the system. Good shoplifters learn this, slip into the blind spot, steal something, and slip out. Make sure your system is installed so there aren’t any blind spots at all. 

One final point; make an effort to show a live feed of the security to customers as they’re in your store. A monitor hanging from the ceiling as they walk in lets them know they’re being filmed. Put a couple by the cash registers as well to really drive the point home. Not only does this tell them they’re being filmed, but it also shows off the CCTV quality. A potential shoplifter will see themselves on the screen in crystal clear quality and realize it’s not worth the risk. 

Keep your store well lit

Some retail stores like to be edgy and provide really dim lighting. You see this in some fashion stores as they try and create a specific vibe of atmosphere. While you may think it has benefits from a branding perspective, lousy lighting is heaven for shoplifters. 

Think about it, it’s far easier to steal something from a poorly lit shop than it is to steal from one that’s bright and well lit. Shops with bad lighting make it harder for you and your employees to keep track of people in your store. Not only that, but it will ruin the quality of your CCTV cameras as well. 

Instead, the logical idea is to keep your store really well lit. Light up all four corners so it’s nice and bright at all times. Immediately, you will see fewer attempts at shoplifting from your store. There’s no place for criminals to hide, and the brightness will enhance your security footage too. 

Employ full-time security officers

You see this idea a lot in stores that sell expensive items, or ones that are so big that it’s hard for all of your regular staff to keep track of everyone. A security office has one job; ensure your store remains safe and secure. They can be positioned wherever you want, but it’s often best to keep them near the exit, so they see everyone who walks in and out. 

With a security officer, you can spot people shoplifting and stop them from leaving the store. It’s crucial that you hire someone who has a criminal justice associates degree at the very least. Why? Because it shows they’ve gone through enough educational training to understand the justice system, how to spot criminal activity, and how to handle it without creating lawsuits! The last thing you need is a security officer shoving your customers and getting you embroiled in a personal injury claim. 

One security office is enough to deter shoplifters merely by their presence. Effectively, you’re adding another barrier between them and their end goal. It becomes harder to steal from a store with a security office than it would be if you had no security team. If you have a severe shoplifting problem, then it could be worth hiring a team of officers so they can patrol the store for you. But, to begin, start with one and see how things improve. 

Attach security tags & scanners

This tip is basically two tips in one. Security tags are little things you attach to products in your store. Security scanners are placed at the exit, and they pick up the tags as they pass through. Essentially, an alarm goes off if a product is moved through the scanners with a security tag still on it. 

These are commonplace in most stores as they’re a genius way to prevent shoplifting. Criminals aren’t stupid, and they won’t risk stealing something with a security tag on it. The only way these items can be taken out of your store is if your customers take them to the cash register and get the tag removed as they pay. 

Of course, you might be unable to attack security tags to every single product. That’s fine, just put them on the most valuable items or items that are most likely to be stolen. If you run a fashion store, then it is usually a good idea to put tags on most of the clothes you sell. When someone sees the security tag, they instantly have second thoughts about stealing it. 

Furthermore, security scanners are an excellent deterrent as well. Yes, they only pick up items with security tags on them, but a lot of people don’t realize this. Young shoplifters are especially unwise to this, and the site of scanners can be enough to put them off. Not only that, but a shoplifter that sees the scanners will look nervous and edgy as they exit the store. Even if they know the scanner shouldn’t go off, there’s part of them that worries. This makes it easier for your security officers to spot dodgy people and pull them aside for a quick chat. 

Implement access control in your store

Access control is a security technology that limits the amount of access to specific places in your store. A simple example of this is a pin pad that secures the area behind the cash registers. In essence, the only people that can get behind there are people with the code. You can also use access control to stop people from going into the office area or storeroom - and it should be used to section off different aspects of your store as well. 

We’re not talking about creating a shop where your customers have to use pin codes to get from one aisle to the next! Instead, this is more to do with the back part of your store where your employees work. Access control will stop random customers from trying to break into cash registers or trying to sneak out back and steal things from your stockroom. However, it also helps prevent internal shoplifting as well. 

You hate to admit it, but a lot of retail theft is carried out by the employees of the store that’s been robbed. It’s much easier for an employee to steal things as they know nobody suspects them. So, access control can help put a stop to this as it tracks which employees are going where. Let’s say there’s been a theft from the stockroom. Now, you can check the access control system going in there to see which employees have been coming and going. You may know the theft happened at a particular time, so you check this period. If you see only one employee entered the room during this time, then it’s pretty clear that they’re a big suspect! 

The fact you have this technology will stop your employees from even thinking about shoplifting. They know it’s hard to get away with it, so they won’t even make an attempt. Thus, your store remains more secure. 

There’s a straightforward way to generalize retail security; increase the risks for shoplifters. If a shoplifter feels like there are lots of ways for them to get caught, then they won’t risk it. Ideally, all the points in this guide should be implemented in your store. Shoplifting puts a dent in your profits and really messes with things like stocktaking. So, try these ideas to help prevent it from taking place.