Safety Tips

Small retailers are especially prone to losses from shoplifting, burglary and internal theft. These safety tips will help you protect your store:

• Be especially vigilant when opening or closing the store. It’s common for criminals to force staff inside and get them to open the safe or tills.
• Close up at night and leave the till drawer open when the shop is closed.
• Don't place spirits or high value goods in the shop window. It’s an irresistible invitation for opportunists to ‘smash and grab’.
• Install safety glass. It’s highly effective at deterring break-ins.
• Always carefully check details on credit cards. Be suspicious if the person looks nervous and is making purchases of items close to the credit limit.
• Shoplifters often work in teams. While one is distracting the staff the others are taking stock or opening the till.
• Always be vigilant!
• If someone tries to commit a robbery or theft do not try to stop them. They are often desperate and dangerous people and most carry weapons.
• Always remember to switch on the alarm when locking up.
• If you have CCTV make sure it is recording 24 hours a day.
• Keep the back door locked. Thieves often enter store rooms and remove stock while staff are on the shop floor.
• Check all bank notes carefully – you’d be surprised how many are counterfeit.
• Keep any personal items you bring to work in a locker or locked room.
• Keep high-value goods on top shelves, close to the counter or inside locked cases where staff can see them.
• Position CCTV cameras towards the door/counter and high-value goods. Install convex mirrors that allow employees to easily observe all corners and aisles.
• Use electronic tags that cannot be removed by a non-employee without damaging the merchandise.
• To protect against employee theft, screen all employees before hiring them - it is the best defence against internal theft.
• Install a closed-circuit television system. It allows you to monitor employees and serves as a very strong deterrent to criminal activity from customers and employees alike.
• Install silent alarms to notify police and give them a better chance to catch perpetrators.
• Work with a security supplier who can offer a tailored solution to your security needs. Your location, store layout, stock and customer profile makes you unique.