There are many criminals who would like to get their hands on your merchandise. As a retail store owner, then, you would do well to make the security of your store a top priority. It is important that you and your entire staff are well versed in the proper measures to take to make your store as criminal-proof as possible.
Hiring plain clothed security guards is one of the most important things you can do to increase the security level in your store. These security guards look and act just like regular shoppers, so the crooks cannot tell them apart from anyone else. Be sure to have these guards walking your store during all the hours that you are open.
Crooks have many sneaky ways that they steal from retail stores, and it is wise to make sure that your staff is aware of these ways, so that they can be on the lookout. One way that crooks steal merchandise is by bringing empty shopping bags into the store. They will then place unpaid for merchandise into bags and leave the store with it.
Another way criminals steal from stores is by using baby strollers. Strollers are usually piled high with toys, blankets, coats and bags. This makes it convenient for the person to slip stolen items into the pile and casually leave the store. Teach your employees to consider baby strollers immediately suspect and to watch them closely.
It is also a good idea to instruct your staff to watch the restrooms. Thieves will likely try to take items into the restrooms that they want to steal. After they get the merchandise into the restroom, they can easily hide it under their coat or in a purse. Post signs that tell your customers that they are not to take unpaid items into the restrooms.
Another way to prevent theft in your store is to hand mirrors on the ceiling in various places. Thieves like to take advantage of the many hiding places that shelves and display areas create in stores. They can hide there and steal from you. But mirrors will make it possible for you to have a good view of what they are doing.