How to Combat Holiday Shopping Crime

’Tis the Season… for Higher Security Risks

Every year, as soon as the lights twinkle and the holiday playlists start looping, retailers brace for the most wonderful time of the year. Which also happens to have the most retail crime. Crowds multiply, parking lots overflow, and stores fill with shoppers on the hunt for the perfect gift. 

And while Santa may “see you when you’re sleeping” and “know when you’re awake,” retailers need a little more than holiday magic to keep watch over their spaces. That’s where LiveView Technologies (LVT) steps in. Like a modern, high-tech version of the big guy’s all-knowing gaze, LVT provides real-time visibility, smart alerts, and powerful deterrence to help retailers stay one step ahead during the busiest shopping weeks of the year. This guide breaks down how retailers (and even consumers) can stay safe, secure, and merry all season long, with a little help from LVT’s watchful eye.

Keeping Retail Spaces Merry & Bright

The holidays bring magic, but they also bring mayhem— crowded aisles, changing displays, and a surge in shoplifting that can leave retailers feeling anything but jolly. With employees juggling customer questions, gift-wrapping stations, and nonstop restocking, it is easy for a thief to slip in and out unnoticed during the festive rush. That’s why creating a secure, thoughtfully designed storefront is one of the most important steps retailers can take during the season.

Start by keeping sight lines clear. Avoid building towering displays that block views or create hiding spots for would-be thieves. Place high-value items in areas where staff naturally congregate, and keep shelves neat and well-organized so missing merchandise is easy to spot. When possible, structure aisles to avoid tight, crowded pinch-points that make it easier for someone to disappear with unpaid items. And most importantly, train staff to stay aware and know how to intervene when they see a potential problem. This helps them to feel empowered to greet customers warmly, monitor activity, and communicate concerns quickly.

This is also where LiveView Technologies (LVT) shines bright. LVT’s mobile units and retail store security cameras give retailers an extra set of watchful eyes—like Santa’s, but sharper and equipped with advanced analytics. From identifying unusual behavior to alerting teams when a high-risk area becomes too crowded, LVT helps stores maintain better visibility than typical commercial security systems, especially during the busiest weeks of the year. With added deterrence and smarter remote monitoring, retailers can keep their stores merry, bright, and secure all season long.

Sleigh-Parking Safely, Day or Night

Holiday shopping begins the moment customers pull into the parking lot. Unfortunately, those lots are one of the season’s biggest hotspots for crime. With cars packed together, shoppers distracted by bags and kids, and an early sunset, parking areas become prime targets for break-ins, catalytic converter theft, and other suspicious activity. A single incident can shake customer confidence and disrupt the festive spirit retailers work so hard to create.

Retailers can take several practical steps to protect their parking areas. 

• Set up bright, evenly distributed lighting to eliminate the shadowy corners criminals rely on. 
• Post clear signage and predictable patrol routes to make security presence more visible, and
• Trim back landscaping can prevent bushes or structures from becoming hiding spots.
• Remind shoppers not to leave bags or valuables in their cars
• Encourage customers to use designated, well-lit walkways can improve safety and visibility during the evening rush.

To truly transform a parking lot into a safe, welcoming space, retailers can lean on LiveView Technologies (LVT). LVT’s solar-powered mobile security units deliver powerful, real-time monitoring that continues long after the sun sets at 5 p.m. These units illuminate dark wintery lots with active deterrence features, high-quality video, and smart analytics that flag unusual behavior before incidents escalate. Whether placed near entrances, overflow parking, or delivery zones, LVT gives retailers the peace of mind that every sleigh (minivan, sedan, or SUV) is being protected, day or night.

Managing the Holiday Rush: Crowds, Lines, and Late-Night Sales

Shoppers are estimated to be in the hundreds of millions during the holidays this year. Peak-hour foot traffic surges, checkout lines snake through aisles, and special events like Black Friday or late-night holiday shopping send waves of excited (and sometimes frazzled) shoppers flooding in. These surges raise two big risks: congestion that can lead to accidents or shoplifting, and security blind spots when staff are overwhelmed or focused on customer service instead of safety.

To tame the holiday chaos, retailers can take a few smart steps:

1. Optimize crowd flow: Use clear signage, barriers, and pathways to guide customers into and out of the store. Place impulse-buy displays away from bottleneck points so people don’t get stuck lingering in tight spots.
   
   
2. Streamline checkout areas: Set up multiple checkout stations or mobile registers to prevent long lines. During really busy periods, redirect staff to open backup registers or use pop-up checkout points so customers don’t queue dangerously near entrances or exits.
   
   
3. Adjust staffing for peak times: Bring in extra floor staff or floaters to monitor congested areas and alert security if things go off-rail. Train everyone to spot suspicious behavior in crowds.

Curbside Pickup & Online Orders: Securing Santa’s Modern Workshop

Today’s shoppers expect speed, convenience, and seamless service. This can include curbside pickup and in store pick up have become the modern-day version of Santa’s workshop. As online orders surge during the holidays, retailers juggle overflowing staging areas, busy pickup lanes, and a steady stream of customers arriving for quick handoffs. It’s efficient and popular, but it also creates new security challenges.

High-value items wait in crowded staging zones, making theft or mix-ups more likely. Porch piracy spikes this time of year, adding pressure to ensure every order goes to the right person.During peak hours, curbside areas can get chaotic, creating chances for confusion or suspicious behavior to slip by unnoticed.

This is where LVT helps retailers keep everything running smoothly. By giving teams clear visibility into curbside and pickup zones, LVT makes it easier to monitor interactions, spot problems early, and maintain order even during the holiday rush.

With LVT supporting the process, retailers can protect assets, reinforce customer trust, and keep Santa’s modern workshop operating with confidence—and plenty of holiday cheer.

Wrapping It All Up: Give the Gift of Safety This Season

When it comes to shopping, holiday magic depends on creating safe, secure spaces where shoppers and employees can enjoy the season without worry. From bustling storefronts to jam-packed parking lots to Santa’s modern curbside pickup zones, every corner of a retail environment needs protection during the busiest time of the year.

That’s where LVT shines. Just like Santa’s watchful eye keeps track of who’s naughty or nice, LVT’s mobile units, real-time alerts, and smart analytics help retailers stay aware, responsive, and ready for anything the holiday rush brings. Whether you’re dealing with higher foot traffic, increased theft risks, or the logistical chaos of online orders, LVT offers reliable, scalable solutions that keep your operations running smoothly and your customers feeling confident.

As you prepare for the season, give yourself—and your shoppers—the gift of peace of mind. Make safety part of your holiday strategy, and let LVT help you keep every space merry, bright, and well-protected.

Ready to secure your busiest season yet? Explore LVT’s retail security solutions and see how we can support you all year long.