6 Retail Security Tips by VIP Security Services Southend

Posted on Thursday 24th November, 2011

It is not just the shoplifter the retailer needs to be concerned about but also employee theft.  The most honest of employees when desperate may resort to crime. 

It is important the retailer removes all opportunities for theft from staff and shoplifters.  Making some simple changes to your shops layout can prevent theft. 

Here are six changes you can implement.

1. Place your register towards the front of your store, making customers go through the register area to leave the store.  Ensure the till is always locked and do not display merchandise at the exits.  The member of staff who tally's the till at the end of the day should be different from the staff processing the sales throughout the day.
2. Keep your store tidy.  When displays are full and shelves straightened it makes it easier for staff to spot missing items.  This also includes your stock area's preventing staff from being able to place merchandise and bags on floors near stock.
3. If you have blind spots, use mirrors to detour shoplifters hiding in that corner.  Keep all areas adequately light and displays low giving staff and CTV clear visibility across the store.  Make sure and blind spots within your store rooms have CCTV or security officers making unscheduled sweeps of your stock areas.
4. Make your 'Shoplifters will be Prosecuted signs clearly visible.  Let your staff know your company policy with regards to staff who steal merchandise.
5. Use CCTV, security tags, two way mirrors were appropriate.  Uniformed security guards are always a power visual deterrent to shoplifters.

The above tips will not eliminate shoplifting but it will reduce it significantly. 

The VIP Security Team

Further Reading : Spotting Shoplifters and Stopping Them.