Last time we discussed some key point to consider during your shopfitting design to help reduce theft. Advice included positioning your display of more valuable items further inside the store, keeping the height of gondola shelving lower for visibility and placing counters and checkouts near the exit.
Here are our remaining tips to reduce the risk of theft of your merchandise…
Try to think like a shoplifter and ask yourself some questions:
- Is the general security of the shop poor, lacking or non-existent?
- What are the chances of getting away with the merchandise?
- Is the retailer likely to prosecute, or just give a ‘telling off’?
- Are the staff attentive and observant, or are they too busy to notice?
Your answers to these questions will help you in creating an action plan.
- Security: Consider using visual deterrents by displaying a positive prosecution policy. Use mirrors to prevent blind spots within the store. Lighting is an important factor, make sure all areas of your store are well lit. Use an alarm on unlocked exits. Consider installing CCTV. Use security tags where possible on your merchandise. A security guard is also powerful deterrent.
- Staff: Train staff to be observant and how to spot suspicious behaviour. Welcome customers into the store and make eye contact; it’s not only good customer service, it’s an excellent way to let a potential shoplifter know that you are aware of their presence. Place staff near store entrances and exits. Don’t leave fitting rooms unattended. Ensure staff keep the displays and their work area tidy.
- Shopwatch: Does the area run a ‘Shopwatch’ or ‘Townwatch’ scheme? This is a very effective tool to help fight retail crime. It’s a bit like a neighbourhood watch scheme for retailers and is usually low cost. It usually involves radio communication between participants to alert one another to a potential shoplifter or an incident of theft. The police can also monitor the radios, allowing for a swift response time. These schemes can also reduce anti-social behaviour, which can often go hand in hand with theft.
- Merchandise: The type of merchandise you display will affect your security procedures. High value goods like mobile phones, laptops etc. can be protected with a loop alarm. Consider removing a vital part (the right shoe) or display a ‘dummy’ item; or even an empty box. Small valuable items (e.g. jewellery, IPods) should be under lock and key, stored safely away in a glass display cabinet.
- Money: It goes without saying that having lots of cash stored on the premises is a no go. Make sure you bank frequently and safely. Keep the cash in the tills to a minimum. Use a safe requiring 2 different keys and make sure it is kept out of sight: and finally, never ever keep cash in a till overnight (keep the till drawers open, visibly empty).
This article has covered the most common type of theft from shops; shoplifting “removing merchandise from a store without prior payment” by means of concealment. Please also remember to consider other types of theft, from burglary to ‘smash and grabs’ and remember that no matter how valuable you merchandise is, your life is always worth more.
Crown Display offer a full range of top quality Shop Shelving, Retail equipment, Slatwall panels & accessories. We can provide you with customised sizes and finishes, as well as a professional nationwide shopfitting service. Give us a call on Free phone 0800 587 5880 or visit www.crowndisplay.co.uk
