Securing a Convenience Store
Convenience stores need to be protected. They are frequent targets for criminals for many reasons. One reason is that these stores often have large amounts of cash on hand. Unlike many stores where the majority of purchases are made with credit and debit cards, many people use cash in convenience stores. Criminals know this and that is a big reason why they strike these businesses.
In addition, convenience stores are often open very late at night with many being open 24 hours a day. Criminals often prefer to commit crimes late at night. This is because it is dark, so they are less likely to be spotted. Also, they know that stores will have fewer staff members and customers in the store during the late evening, so it becomes easier for them to commit a crime without being spotted.
Finally, many convenience stores sell small yet valuable items that shoplifters often look for. These items are easy to sneak into a pocket or a bag and walk out of the store without being noticed.
As you can see, there are a number of security threats in a convenience store. Here are some tips for protecting your convenience store from criminals:
Increase Visibility
One of the best ways to protect your convenience store is to increase visibility in and around the property. Ensure that the exterior is well-lit so that criminals cannot hide in the shadows. Clear merchandise, displays, and signage away from the windows so that staff can see what is happening outside and so that potential criminals can see staff inside. This won’t only potentially scare off criminals, but it will be easier for staff to notice crimes in progress as well as possible issues before a crime can occur. It’s also important to increase visibility inside the store so staff can always see what is happening inside the property.
Train Staff
In many retail stores, there is a higher level of turnover than in some other businesses. This means that some employees may not receive the training they need or they may not have the level of experience required to deal with a crime or potential crime. This is why it’s important to give all employees appropriate training and to stick a regular training schedule so that everyone is always up to date.
Employees should be trained on what to do if they suspect a crime is taking place (such as in a shoplifting situation) as well as on how to react to a robbery or other such crime. Not only will training help protect the business, but it will reduce the risk of injury as well.
Use Physical Security
Physical security gates are an excellent way to keep a convenience store safe. This is because they put a barrier between criminals, your store, and your assets. Security gates drastically reduce the likelihood of a smash and grab robbery.
They also deter criminals from striking. When a criminal sees that security gates are installed, they know that a business is taking security seriously. This causes them to second-guess themselves and often consider other targets.
Physical security can also be used inside a convenience store to protect commonly-shoplifted items such as medication, razor blades, alcohol, cigarettes, and other such items. By locking these items behind gates or inside locked cabinets, criminals will not be able to access them without assistance from staff. This will drastically reduce crime.
