Is your retail security team ready for the Christmas rush?

For retail security teams in the UK, November through to January each year is often the biggest time for sales. Black Friday, the Christmas period, and January sales will see
customers flock through the doors to try and find the latest bargains, pick up gifts for loved ones and friends and make the most of the huge sales that happen post-
Christmas. Whilst this can be a great time of year for shops and local businesses, it is also one that causes great stress due to the increased volume of shoplifters and
thieves taking the opportunity to take items without paying, thanks to a lack of retail security.

There are three main factors that increase shoplifting activities during these times. A lack of security staff that are seen stationed at shop entrances (often due to wage increases that shops cannot keep up with), an increased amount of shoppers meaning thieves can hide in plain sight, and a lack of response from the police force who are often unwilling to respond to the theft of items with a lower value. It is for this reason that retail managers need to be savvy about their security measures, particularly when they have temporary staff on the shop door during these busy periods.

Make your security measures obvious
If you already have security measures present in your store, try to make these elements as obvious as possible. If you are working with security guards, be sure to have them stationed at the front of the store, use signs to make shoppers aware that CCTV is monitored throughout the store and advise everyone of what happens to shoplifters who are caught.

Advantages of customer services
Whilst you will not stop every shoplifter, a good way of deterring shoplifting is to have excellent customer service throughout your store. If your staff are trained to deliver great customer service and are seen to be going the extra mile for your customers, this may reduce the number of people who are taking a chance by stealing from your shop. Having a good presence of staff on the shop oor will help, and staff should be encouraged to speak to shoppers whilst they are browsing items, so shoppers are aware of their presence.

Train your staff
Your store staff are your 1st and best line of defence against crime. It is crucial to make sure they are well-trained in security protocols and know what to do if they witness a crime in progress. They should be alert, focused, and prepared to take action. Security and safety should always be a priority. When a staff memberwitnesses a crime, they should be con dent to advise security and their manager as a priority. Ensure your staff are trained to prevent theft
rather than stopping a shoplifter (or suspected shoplifter) in action, as this could put them in danger.

Implement extra security measures
Using extra securitymeasures, including security tags and tag detection systems in your store, isn’t just going to help reduce your shoplifters during the busy seasons but throughout the year. Security tags come in a range of options which means that they can protect a variety of different stock. Security tags work by sounding the alarm if someone tries to leave the store with the tag or label still attached or not deactivated meaning security guards and staff members are aware of the situation and can respond to the alert.

Use lighting to your advantage
Shoplifters often like to work in the cover of darkness, so they are less easy to detect. Be sure to light your store well so thieves won’t be drawn to the shadows to hide the items they are trying to steal. This can deter shoplifters from visiting your store. Lighting the corners and smaller areas of your store willmean you are not an active target for thieves.

EAS Security tag detection systems – standing guard at your shop doors, detection systems sound the alarm if a customer leaves with the tag still on a product.

Deactivators Detachers – if you have security tags on your products, you will need to have a corresponding detacher and / or label deactivator available at your tills to remove the protective security tag or label

Magnetic ReleaseTags – designed to protect both clothing and other products, these tags can only be removed quickly & easily with a very high strength magnetic detachedr at the point of sale, which means that cannot be removed with an everyday
magnet.

SuperTags – The most secure way of protecting clothing, super tags have either integral lanyards or removable pins that can only be easily removed with a supertag detacher.

Security Labels AP/APX – perfect for boxed items, swing tickets, packaging or books, these labels are great for a variety of products, the labels get deactivated at the point of sale when a legitimate purchase is made

This may also interest you:

Learn more about security tagging for institutions

Find out more about security tagging for retailers

Defeating shoplifters with your prevent and deter checklist

JKI Distribution can help with your retail security measures.

Established in 1998, JKI Distribution is a family-run business with a focus on providing high-quality security tagging systems and services to commercial clients in a variety of settings. Our aim is to provide the most up-to-date equipment to clients to help keep products, pro ts and staff members safe whilst they are working.

If you are concerned about the security measures of your stores this Christmas, get in touch with JKI Distribution and see how we can help you deter thieves and have a wonderful shopping season!