5 Tips to Keep Your Small Business Safe from Retail Theft
If you’re running a small business, it’s likely that you don’t have the time to spend on retail theft prevention as much as you would like to. You can’t catch every employee who doesn’t follow company policy, and that means you’re probably going to have some losses due to theft in your store each month. But there are still many things you can do to minimize these losses and protect your business from theft-related losses that could potentially lead to bankruptcy or insolvency. Here are five tips to keep your small business safe from retail theft and loss.
1) Use a Video Surveillance System
A video surveillance system is one of the best ways to keep an eye on your business and prevent theft. Here are a few tips for using a video surveillance system
- Choose the right system for your needs. There are many different types of video surveillance systems available, so it’s important to choose one that’s right for your business.
- Place cameras in strategic locations. Think about where you want to place your cameras before you install them.
- Make sure your cameras are visible. If potential thieves can see that your business is being monitored, they’re less likely to try to steal from you.
- Use motion-activated cameras errors.
2) Set up Audio Surveillance
Audio surveillance is one of the most effective ways to prevent retail theft in your small business. Here are seven tips to set up audio surveillance in your store
- Choose the right location for your cameras.
- Make sure your cameras are well-hidden.
- Set up motion detectors in strategic locations.
- Use a combination of cameras and audio surveillance.
- Train your employees on how to use the system.
- Test the system regularly.
- Stay vigilant and monitor the footage regularly.
3) Use a Barcode System
A barcode system can be a great way to keep track of your inventory and make sure that nothing goes missing. You can purchase a barcode scanner and printer for relatively cheap, and then print out labels for all of your products. When an item is sold, you can scan the barcode and it will be logged into your system. This will help you keep track of what’s selling and what isn’t, and will also alert you if something is stolen. If you have multiple employees, give them their own scanners so they can log the items they sell and look up the price when they need to restock them.
Consider an RFID System RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification; this means that any object containing a chip (including clothing) can be scanned remotely with a reader device without actually having to come into contact with it. The tags store information about each product as well as its location within your store. You’ll need both a reader device and tags for every single product in order to set up this system, but once you do it’ll ensure that there are no lost or misplaced items throughout your store.
4) Put Sensors on Valuables
By placing sensors on your most valuable items, you can be alerted the moment they leave the store. This can help you take action quickly to recover the item and catch the thief.
Sensors are available for a variety of items, including clothing, jewelry, and electronics. You can even get them for perishable items like food and drink.
If you have a lot of valuables in your store, you may want to consider investing in a security system that includes sensors. That way, you can keep an eye on all of your items at all times.
Check Your Security Cameras Regularly (five sentences) Security cameras are a great way to deter thieves and catch them in the act.
5) Consider Background Music
You may not think that playing music in your store will do much to deter potential thieves, but you may be surprised. A study conducted in 2011 found that stores that played background music had up to a 38% decrease in shoplifting incidents. The type of music you play is also important. Calming and classical tunes are more effective than upbeat pop songs. If you want to get the most out of your anti-theft strategy, consider investing in a good sound system for your business.
