Up to 40% of yearly sales for small and mid-sized retailers take place within the last two months of the year but that also is the busiest time for theft.
To help you stop shoplifters in their tracks, we’ve outlined some key retail theft prevention tips for your business below:
- Install a welcome bell at your door to help you keep track of who’s entering your store.
- Make your presence known to ward off suspicious shoppers. A friendly greeting to your customers can not only make trustworthy customers feel welcome but also guilt-trip any sneaky shoplifters.
- Follow up with shoppers after greeting them. If a shoplifter is engaged often within a store, they’ll think twice before they shoplift merchandise. This also has the added benefit of ensuring customers feel they can ask you for assistance if they need it.
- Review your store’s layout to make sure there are no blind spots and that there’s enough lighting. You may also want to consider an elevated sales counter for better visibility. You can’t catch shoplifters if you can’t see them!
- Keep expensive items near the checkout counter, there’s a better chance you can keep an eye on it.
- Use electronic tags on all of your merchandise to detect non-purchased items that exit your front door.
- Set up security cameras to help you capture footage of every nook and cranny in your store.
- Offer to place things in a fitting room. You’ll be able to track the number of items being tried on and likely notice if something goes missing.
- Have one exit and entrance...this may be harder during COVID! If there are limited entrances and exits, it will be easier to see who’s coming and going from your shop.
- Pay attention to price tags when a customer pays to protect against altered tags.
- Hire an adequate number of employees. With more eyes looking out for shoplifting, the better chance you have of catching someone in the act.
Have a WONDERFUL and PROFITABLE Holiday Season.