5 Reasons Why Retail Security Guards Are Your First Defense Against Shoplifters

A couple of customers in your store are having a heated argument. Other customers are beginning to gather. You and a couple of employees approach the angry pair to try and diffuse the situation. Meanwhile, two aisles over, another customer is frantically cramming your merchandise into an empty baby stroller. Shoplifting is an unpleasant reality in the retail sector and can cost store owners thousands of dollars in lost revenue. You need to have a shoplifting policy and plan in place to help protect your property and merchandise from would-be shoplifters including hiring retail security officers.

Here are five ways professional retail security guards could help you reduce the costly effect of shoplifting on your bottom line:

1. Act as a Visible Deterrent

Shoplifters don’t want to be seen or get caught. With a retail security guard present in your store, it may make thieves think twice before stealing anything. A security guard standing at the entrance of your store reminds people that you’re taking security and safety seriously. The risk of getting caught may outweigh the shoplifter’s decision to steal, but at peak times of the year including Christmas, Boxing Day and Black Friday you can’t afford not to have retail security guards onsite at your store.

2. Trained to Recognize Suspicious People and Activities

Employees, retail managers and store owners may think they can recognize a shoplifter. But shoplifters come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and economic backgrounds. Retail security guards are trained to spot suspicious people and behaviour. Someone wearing a heavy coat in the heat of summer could tip off a trained store security guard. Or a guard walking around the store could catch someone switching price tags, stealing merchandise or acting nervous and avoiding eye contact. Security guards know some of the schemes and tricks shoplifters use to steal from retailers.

3. Monitor Surveillance Equipment

Security cameras in your store are a great deterrent to shoplifters and having them monitored by security guards is an added layer of protection for your store. Unfortunately, shoplifters are not the only people who may steal from you. Employee theft can be a problem for retailers. Staff may steal merchandise and take it home or not ring in purchases made by friends or family at the cash register. Knowing that surveillance cameras are being monitored by retail security guards may stop some employees from stealing.

4. Notify Police and Work with Other Security Professionals

In a crisis like an armed robbery, experienced guards know what information to quickly convey to police and know how to keep people calm. Well-trained retail security officers know the importance of taking accurate, comprehensive notes that can be shared with law enforcement. Writing incident reports are an important part of a security guard’s responsibilities as notes may be used in lawsuits and in court.

5. Keep Watch at Store Entrances and Exits

Retail security guards can see who’s entering and exiting your store. Many stores are equipped with electronic monitoring equipment with alarms that are activated if someone leaves with electronic tags still attached to the merchandise. Guards can search any bags that have tripped the alarm. However, customers are not the only people leaving your store. Employees going home at night through back exits or who are assigned the task of taking out the trash could be taking merchandise if you’ve noticed an increase in inventory shrinkage.

As a store owner, you want customers to come into your store to browse and buy. Include retail security guards as part of your arsenal in the fight against shoplifters, thieves and robbers.

About NSS:

National Security Service is a licensed security agency offering effective, reliable and affordable security guard services in all 50 states. This security guard company covers commercial, retail, residential, institutional, governmental and entertainment venues.

To Hire Retail Security Guards

• Contact: Edward Stevens
• Website: https://www.guardstogo.com/retail-security-guards/
• Phone: (888) 386–4068
• Address: 275 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10001, United State