Houston, Texas

Running a business is stressful. You have so much to think about, from your next marketing methods to the 1,001 meetings you’ve scheduled over the past month. The last thing you want to worry about is theft in your store. Theft can be devasting for a business. Excessive loss of profits may result in wage cuts and the need to raise prices. If you want your business to remain successful, it’s important to focus on loss prevention. Check out these 9 loss prevention tips

1. Use Access Control

Access control refers to who can access a room. Specifically, access control makes it easy for authorized individuals to get into certain areas while keeping intruders out. For example, consider a retail store that keeps its inventory in a room protected by a keypad. Only employees who know the code can get inside. That prevents customers from entering to steal merchandise while the employees are busy. Access control systems work most effectively when only a few people know the code, so these are especially helpful for areas like offices containing papers and cash. They aren’t practical for areas every single employee needs to access.

2. Get ANSI-Grade Locks 

Locks are your first line of defense against burglars. If you don’t have strong locks, a burglar will be able to break in without much effort. In the space of ten minutes, you could have lost hundreds or thousands of dollars in merchandise. To prevent this from happening, you should purchase a lock that is approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). These are the strongest, most effective locks. Look for a lock that has an ANSI grade of 1. 

3. Invest in Security Film 

By now you might be wondering why you should bother with strong locks if your storefront is 90% glass. No intelligent thief would bother picking a lock when they could just smash through the glass. Well, we have good news. There is a way to protect your windows. Security film can add an extra layer of protection to windows that make them harder to break. While your windows will still sustain damage if someone tries to burglarize your store, security film should prevent the glass from shattering. Thieves are opportunistic, and they rely on speed. If it takes more than one attempt to try to smash through the glass, they’ll probably move on. 

4. Invest in Cameras 

Thieves don’t want to be seen, even with masks on. Sometimes, simply having a camera is enough to scare off would-be thieves, whether they’re employees in the store or customers browsing. And if theft does occur, having video evidence is crucial for prosecuting the criminal in court. Just remember to follow local laws and regulations around surveillance. 

5. Use Anti-Theft Signs 

Tenacious criminals won’t be deterred easily. They might still steal despite cameras, excellent customer service, and anti-theft signs. However, hanging signs around your store that say you will prosecute thieves and that there is a surveillance system in the store may scare off the weaker, opportunistic ones. 

An employee who stole money and got caught when the business owner implemented loss prevention tips

6. Schedule Smartly 

Scheduling smartly can prevent employee theft. It’s important to make sure no one is in the store alone when they are handling money. At closing, always schedule at least two employees to ensure there is no opportunity for either to steal. Make it part of company policy for employees and managers to check each others’ bags before leaving and separately count money from the register to confirm it matches the end-of-day numbers. 

7. Treat Employees Well 

You should treat your employees well regardless of whether you’re worried about theft. However, paying your employees fairly and recognizing their work goes a long way toward preventing them from stealing. Employees who are content at their jobs, feel appreciated, and think they are getting paid enough aren’t likely to commit a crime against their company. 

8. Be Organized 

Disorganization makes it easier for customers to steal from your store. If your store is a mess, you won’t notice loss as quickly. That means someone could walk around for several minutes or even hours pocketing things without getting caught. Keep everything neat throughout the day so you can tell right away when something is missing. 

9. Hire Loss Prevention Agents 

When loss becomes a real problem, you might need a little bit of extra help. An in-house security team can help reduce crime in your store. Just as people are less likely to commit a felony while a police officer is nearby, customers and employees won’t be as quick to act out when you have a security guard on standby. Loss prevention agents aren’t right for everybody, but if you can afford them, their services are worth the extra cash.

We Can Keep Your Business Secure! 

The professionals at Spider Locksmith are here to protect your business. We can deliver long-lasting, high-quality commercial security solutions that you and your employees will love. Contact our experts today for assistance!