No matter the size or range of a business, various moving parts work together to keep operations running smoothly year-round. Motivated teams and forward-thinking direction from leadership accomplish this. However, the success of these moving parts is not exclusive to internal team members. For example, security is vital when it comes to ensuring the safety of employees and company assets. Retail businesses can maximize their security in a few ways to provide peace of mind. By adding security to your retail business, you will be able to build a positive relationship with customers while keeping products accounted for.
In the United States, it is estimated that thirty percent of business failures are caused by shoplifting. This statistic, unfortunately, places thousands of family-owned businesses at risk of closing their doors for the foreseeable future. The best approach business owners can take towards this is a proactive one by contracting security to act as loss prevention. Security personnel is trained to protect business assets through different methods establishing a secure environment for everyone.
1. Routine inventory checks
Inventory checks should already be within a business’s standard operating procedures, but having a third party can prove to be beneficial. With a third-party conducting inventory, this would allow staff to remain on the sales floor, engaging with customers and completing other needed tasks.
Something to consider when it comes to inventory is to pair security personnel with a regular employee to provide total accuracy. While it is less common today, internal theft still contributes to that thirty percent of businesses closing their doors due to thefts. Management should keep in mind that businesses that strive for a healthy work culture have a significantly less rate of thefts than those that fail to provide a supportive work environment.
2. Involve staff
Expanding further on positive work environments should be a high priority for every business owner. Getting staff involved in open discussions and conversations around store safety can benefit all parties. This way, team members can better pick up on suspicious behaviors and alert security when necessary. Employees should always feel comfortable and heard when approaching management or security regarding safety concerns. The relationship between staff, management, and security should strive to be constructive, with the common goal of cultivating a safe work environment for all parties.
3. Consider utilizing monitoring systems
In today’s day and age, cameras are just about everywhere. This has proven to be rather serviceable for business owners as they are able to provide definitive proof of record when items seem to wander away unpaid for. A stationary guard can be employed here to closely monitor security screens and alert authorities of theft when necessary.
In addition to this, use a strategic approach to camera positions. Key areas to include are entrances, exits, registers, and products of high value. By monitoring these locations, leadership can reduce the likelihood of items being stolen. Moreover, should a theft occur, they can clearly be identified by the cameras monitoring the exits.
While all three of these methods can be employed to benefit the overall security of retail businesses, there is no one size fits all solution. Each business is unique in its specific needs ranging from multiple security personnel to only requiring one or two individuals. For example, jewelry stores have multiple security systems in place. They may only require a stationary guard at the front of the store to act as an additional measure. In contrast, a larger store such as Walmart or Target will hire employees with the specific task of loss prevention. Whatever your retail business’s needs are, our team here at Apex Security is determined to fulfill them. Contact us today to learn more about what our team can do to benefit your business today.