As a retailer, you are likely to face several challenges that are detrimental to business performance. While safety and security should be a priority, it often gets pushed down the list when starting a retail business. But failing to establish security measures puts your store at risk of several problems.
In the UK, retail stores lose billions in revenue annually because of shoplifting incidents. Prevent this type of scenario in your store by adopting the appropriate security solutions. These days, there are several options available to business owners. Before deciding on one, determine what you need exactly.
Identify the security threats to your store
Finding adequate security solutions starts with determining the threats to your store. Security threats can be categorized into physical and digital threats. Physical threats are those that are done in-store, such as shoplifting, internal theft and burglaries. Digital threats, on the other hand, are those done through cyber break-ins. These include data breaches, hacking and card skimming. All of which can be detrimental to your store’s reputation.
For physical threats, conduct a meticulous inspection of your store. Identify areas that are hard to see, such as dark corners, and areas that contain high-ticket items, such as sales bins. These areas will likely see more security breaches. For digital threats, make sure the software and hardware you are utilizing are up-to-date to prevent cyber break-ins.
Choose the right security solutions
Once you’ve identified the threats specific to your store, you can start selecting the appropriate security solutions. If your store is more at risk for physical threats, consider adopting traditional security measures. CCTV cameras and even a security dog handler service are effective in discouraging would-be thieves from going through with their plans. For digital security threats, consider investing in premium security software. Free versions are often insufficient and ineffective in adequately protecting your data. Additionally, consider purchasing new hardware. Old or second-hand hardware can have technical issues that put your store at risk of security breaches.
Train your employees well
Your employees play a crucial role in upholding the security measures you establish. When they are unfamiliar with processes, they become a risk to your store’s safety and security. Once you have a team that you can trust, work on training them on the necessary security protocols.
Start by telling them all about the store’s security policies and its procedures. Then, talk them through the entire security process. Make sure they fully understand these to avoid confusion and miscommunication in the future. Consider posting guidelines and reminders throughout the store. Place them where employees can easily access them, like the back office and behind the counter. Additionally, improve communication channels between you and your staff. Their time on the floor provides you with a valuable source of information about the other threats to your store.
In addition to all of these, consider hiring a professional security team. While this might be a costly investment, just think of how much you will save annually without shoplifting incidents and other security threats.
