The Messenger

There are about 27 million shoplifters in the United States, averaging out to 1 in every 11 people. So, for every 100 customers you greet, around 10 of them are potential shoplifters.

To combat the high risk of theft, many retail owners put all their confidence in floor coverage. This age-old practice rests on the premise that if there are plenty of employees working the floor, they will serve as an automatic deterrent, minimizing theft. But good floor coverage is just a starting point. A high-quality camera system can take your efforts to the next level.

Here’s what you should know.

Gain Extra Eyes with Security Cameras

A hardworking employee will tend to their tasks and keep a watchful eye on merchandise. However, since humans are only equipped with one pair of eyes, there's only so much one person can see. Camera systems, sometimes referenced as closed-circuit television systems, see what your employees can and most importantly, what they cannot.

With this advanced surveillance, you gain extra eyes to monitor the floor without all the hassles that come along with onboarding, training and compensating new employees.

Choose the Right System

For the ultimate protection, it's not enough to simply go out and purchase the first camera system you spot. Just as the needs of every retail organization are not parallel, the type of features necessary in a camera system will also vary. For the average business, a good place to begin is accessibility.

If you have a smaller staff size or spend limited time on the premises, look for options that include online or smartphone access. When away, this convenient access allows you to monitor the premises and alert staff from anywhere. Another important feature to look at is video quality, or resolution.

After all, what good is footage you can't see? High-quality resolution is particularly useful for retail organizations that suspect repeat shoplifters or have high shoplifting rates. Always ask for a test or footage sample to ensure you can make out the images.

Consider Placement Carefully

Even with the right type of camera system, poor placement can make all your efforts worthless. The first goal of placement is to design a plan that covers the entire perimeter, offering a 360-degree field of view. Some key areas to focus on include the cash registers, entrance, stock room and building exterior.

Cameras should also be installed as close to the ceiling as possible. The lower the camera, the greater the potential for the camera to be tampered with or disabled. Proper placement should also focus on a mix of detectable and hidden cameras.

The average shoplifter will canvas a store before they make their move, trying to locate those areas that have camera coverage. Hidden cameras give them the illusion of being stealthy when in reality, you're catching the entire situation on video. Always aim to be one step ahead.

Keep an Eye on Employees

While the main highlight of a camera system is its ability to deter and capture shoplifters, these systems can also help keep your team on task. As much as $350 billion is lost each year at the hands of low-productivity employees. No matter how small your piece of this pie is, it's never a good thing to lose out on money.

Camera systems allow business owners and management staff to keep an eye on employees. When a team member is under performing, you'll have clear footage to reference. You can then use this information to enhance your training efforts or terminate employees where necessary.

No matter the industry, security cameras can benefit your retail business. A professional from Security Services Northwest, Inc., will partner with you to aid in choosing the right unit, camera placement, and training, to ensure you get the most from the cameras.