When it comes to your retail store, shopfront protection is a must! Understanding the potential threats and the effective ways of mitigating them is crucial to keeping your business safe and protected. Our guide has broken down some of the most common threats and safety measures you can take to keep your shopfront safe from harm. To find out more, keep on reading!
Retail Stores: Understanding Potential Threats
When you own a retail store, keeping your goods protected is crucial to keeping your business up and running. We’ve outlined some of the most common threats that retail stores are facing:
Shoplifting & Theft
Shoplifting and theft are some of the most common issues facing retail stores. Individuals will simply walk out of stores without having paid for their items. When shoplifters steal from any kind of retail store, there will be a loss in inventory and therefore a loss in profits. Shops may have to increase their prices as a result and may start to lose revenue if they don’t have proper safety measures in place to protect their products.
Employee theft is also a risk that retail stores face, where employees have the potential to steal products or cash that is made by the store. Because employees will have access to stock, tills and taking payments, it’s important to ensure that employee theft is not happening within your store.
Vandalism
Vandalism and graffiti are another example of threats to retail stores. While graffiti and vandalism may seem harmless, or less serious than a robbery, it can still have a negative impact on your business. Graffiti on your shopfront can damage the reputation of your store and even deter customers.
Break-Ins
Break-ins and burglaries are also prevalent in retail stores. Certain stores may be targeted for a robbery because of their lack of security when the stores are closed. In many cases, windows and doors are broken by burglars, giving them full access to stock, money in the till and even sensitive data. Staying protected against this kind of theft is extremely important, as your shopfront needs to be secure during hours when the store is closed.
Cybersecurity & Sensitive Data
In recent years, cybersecurity has been increasing in importance. Many stores and businesses have a lot of sensitive information and important data stored online now, and with the rise of online shopping, sensitive data also needs to be protected.
Hacking attempts and data breaches can seriously damage the reputation of a business, interfere with stock and inventory and leak sensitive information, which is not good for retail stores or any kind of business.
Shielding Your Shopfront: Effective Safety Measures
Now that we’ve discussed some of the potential threats to retail stores, the rest of our blog delves into the preventative measures you can take to ensure your store is as protected as possible. Keep reading to find our best suggestions for keeping your shopfront secure.
Good Lighting
Having a well lit storefront is a good way to keep it protected. Not only will it improve the appearance of your store over the course of the day and the night, it can be an effective deterrent to potential burglars or shoplifters.
Try illuminating the exterior of your store, to create maximum visibility. Burglars are far less likely to go after a store that is clearly visible and well lit. You can also use window display lighting to illuminate the front of your store too.
Motion activated lighting is another great deterrent, activating the lights when movement is detected. You can also find lighting systems that alert you when motions are detected, so you can keep tabs on your store when you aren’t physically there.
Security Systems
Security systems are an absolute must for any retail store. This could include:
● Alarm Systems - Alarm systems are a great source of protection. They can scare off burglars by creating a loud and obvious noise, as well as notifying the authorities about the break in.
● CCTV - CCTV cameras, or any kind of security camera system can be very effective in deterring potential burglars and helping you keep an eye on your store when you aren’t there. Many camera systems will allow you to view through an app, so you can view the footage in real time without being at the store. If a break-in does occur, you also have evidence of the break in and more likelihood of catching the perpetrators.
● Access Control - Having systems that only allow authorised members in is another measure you can take. These could be code systems or fingerprints, allowing you to have complete control over who enters or exits the building. These systems are safer than just having a key and lock, for example.
● Security Companies - If you want to maximise your security, you can always reach out to a security company to help you with the relevant systems and have a third party to monitor cameras. They can respond to alarms and help your store feel safer.
Inventory Management
Keeping track of your inventory and stock will help you reduce the risk of theft and losses to your business. Inventory management software can help you to identify potential theft and spot issues or missing items.
Keep valuable items in safes or locked cabinets, to prevent losing them or having them stolen. Additionally, you can put security tags onto more expensive items, deterring people from just walking out with these products.
Anti-Graffiti Coatings
Many stores invest in an anti-graffiti coating to help protect their stores from vandals and getting defaced. These coatings can be applied to glass surfaces, brick and even metal. They create a protective barrier that makes it much harder for graffiti to stick to surfaces and much easier to remove graffiti without causing more damage to your shopfront.
You can find a range of different anti-graffiti coatings, and even eco-friendly products if you want to remain eco-conscious.
Reinforced Windows
If you’re worried about break-ins and other types of robberies, or your shop is vulnerable because of its glass window, you may want to consider reinforcing your windows.
Reinforced glass is a popular choice for those who are trying to improve their store’s security and you can have your windows professionally reinforced for optimum security. Reinforced glass can also be customised, so while you’re reviewing your security, you can choose a customised design to fit the aesthetic of your store.
Roller Shutter Doors
Last, but certainly not least, are roller shutter doors. They come in various styles and types, however they are all extremely sturdy and an effective way of protecting your shopfront from harm. Two types of shutter door that you might encounter are:
● Manual Shutter Doors - These are hand operated shutter doors which you will manually open and close. They are a cost effective and sturdy option, however they require a little more effort to open and close.
● Electric Shutter Doors - Electric shutter doors are powered by an electric motor and can be controlled by either switch or remote. They are extremely safe, convenient and more practical for entrances that are used more often.
Shutter doors provide an extreme level of security by creating a strong barrier between potential burglars and your shopfront. They are robust structures that can withstand a lot, but are nearly impossible to break into. You can also find customised roller doors, if you want to match them to your shopfront, and they do need to be regularly maintained to ensure that they are functioning properly.
Roller doors are an excellent option if you want to prioritise safety, however it’s important to make sure that roller doors have an emergency exit or emergency release in case you need to leave the building for emergency reasons.
Sunrise Shopfronts & Shutters
If you’re looking for reliable and sturdy roller door shutter, shopfront fittings or shutter repairs, look no further! Here at Sunrise Shopfronts & Shutters, we offer an extensive range of secure shopfront solutions for your retail store. From roller shutter repairs to immaculate installations, we offer a range of products and services to help you keep your store secure.
For more information about our products or services, feel free to contact us today for more information.
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