Shoplifting Trends & How To Use Video To Improve Security for Retail

The rise in organized retail crime, coupled with the shift in how minor offenses like shoplifting are prose­cuted, has trans­formed shoplifting into a signif­icant issue, causing billions in losses for businesses annually. Previ­ously, ​“three strikes” laws deterred repeat offenses, but many cities and states are now revising these policies. This change often means shoplifters can repeatedly offend without severe conse­quences if the stolen amount remains under the felony limit.

In response to the growing trend of large-scale shoplifting, retailers are scruti­nizing their security systems more closely, focusing on video surveil­lance. Video surveil­lance has become a key component in retail security strategies, allowing businesses to decide when to press charges for shoplifting. This article will explore several aspects that influence retail security:

Let’s look at how these video surveil­lance strategies can effec­tively minimize risks to your retail business and ensure the safety of your staff.

Building a Long-Term Case

In the realm of retail security, the ability to build a long-term case against habitual shoplifters is crucial. This is where advanced video surveil­lance plays a pivotal role. By consis­tently recording high-quality footage, retailers can accumulate evidence over time, which is partic­u­larly useful in juris­dic­tions where shoplifting must reach a certain threshold before it’s considered a felony.

Quality video images are a must to provide that evidence, so if you don’t have high-defin­ition cameras as part of your anti-theft system for retail, it’s probably time to invest. This quality of footage is invaluable when identi­fying repeat offenders and providing clear evidence for legal proceedings.

Optimizing Retail Security with Strategic Lighting

Good lighting is key for keeping retail stores safe. It’s a smart idea to leave some lights on all night. This helps scare off would-be thieves and makes security camera footage clearer, ensuring important parts of the store are always easy to see.

In retail settings, strategic lighting should illuminate key areas such as stock rooms, outdoor spaces, and entry points, thereby minimizing shadows and dark corners where theft or vandalism could occur unnoticed. Good lighting is a proactive security measure, making the premises less inviting to potential shoplifters and easier to monitor through video surveillance.

Furthermore, integrating good lighting with your existing security system helps to ensure that every area within and around your store is adequately covered. This integration facil­i­tates better monitoring and provides a clearer view of identi­fying and responding to security incidents, enhancing your retail business’s overall safety and security.

Motion-Activated Recordings

Motion-activated cameras are an efficient part of a retail video surveil­lance system, recording only when they detect movement. This feature is beneficial as it drasti­cally reduces the amount of storage needed for video recordings, because it doesn’t record contin­u­ously, but only captures footage when there’s activity. While not every motion detected is a security threat, this selective recording makes it much easier to locate and review specific incidents when needed. By focusing on active moments, these cameras ensure your store is monitored effec­tively without wasting resources, providing protection that’s both smart and storage-friendly.

Smart Camera Features

Smart cameras elevate retail security by offering advanced features like motion-triggered video alerts. These cameras are sophis­ti­cated enough to distin­guish between different types of motion, such as human movement versus vehicles. This capability allows for more accurate and relevant alert settings. For instance, if a camera detects people climbing over the back retaining wall, it can trigger an alert to notify you or the monitoring station (if monitored), which can then alert local law enforcement.

Pairing Video With Access Control

Pairing video surveil­lance with access control systems provides a robust security framework for retail businesses. This integration enhances the ability to monitor and control access to different areas and signif­i­cantly improves the retail environ­ment’s overall security, protecting against external and internal threats.