Retail Security Concerns

Retail sales in the United States in 2020 are estimated to be around $4.89 trillion USD (Statista Research Department, 2021). This includes everything from the purchase of vehicles to apparel to groceries. E-commerce is steadily growing, but in the fourth quarter of 2020, it is estimated that online sales only accounted for 14% of total sales in the United States (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2021). While the COVID-19 pandemic and the continual growth of e-commerce are expected to alter this number, retail spaces are still seeing thousands of in-person customers per day. With so much traffic and money in condensed areas, there is a lot to protect in both assets and lives.

Retailers face many issues associated with the high traffic on their properties and LiveView Technologies creates tools to help them manage their properties and increase safety. These include increasing safety for employees and customers and reducing incidents of theft and vandalism.

Safety of employees and customers

The retail business is about people. That’s why the safety of customers and employees is the top priority for retailers.

LVT Units are proven to increase safety in retail parking lots for both employees and customers. Employees are frequent targets for criminals because they often enter and exit the store when it is dark and fewer people are around. Furthermore, the safer the location, the better business will be. People don’t want to shop where their personal safety is threatened. It is the same with employees—no one wants to work in a place they’re afraid to go. Increased safety attracts customers and employees.

Theft and merchandise shrinkage

Whether it’s shoplifting from inside the store or stealing the skirt front items, theft is a major threat to retailers. In fact, it costs billions of dollars annually. However, studies have shown that less theft occurs when warning signs and surveillance measures are obvious to potential thieves. This includes preventing theft inside and outside the store. Just the mere presence of cameras outside the store can prevent some shoplifting inside.  

Vandalism

Likewise, vandalism plagues retailers. Cars, other property in the parking lot, and the outside of the store are easy targets for vandals. However, similar to preventing theft, preventing vandalism starts with surveillance. People behave differently when they are under surveillance, so let them know they are being watched.

If all else fails, and theft or vandalism does happen with the added surveillance in the parking lot, it is easier to collect and provide evidence of the criminal’s identity. 

References 

Statista Research Department. (2021, March 19). Retail sale in the United States from 2012 to 2024. Retrieved from Statista.

U.S. Department of Commerce. (2021). Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales 4th Quarter 2020. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Census Bureau News.