Protect Your Convenience Store with These Tips

Convenience stores have always been a hot spot for robberies and shoplifting. As they’re smaller than general stores, people don’t expect them to have high-grade security. This makes them an easy target for thieves to take advantage of and make a run for it before the police get there. The Crime Report 2020, conducted by the UK’s Association of Convenience Stores, revealed over 1.1 million thefts last year. The thefts cost stores thousands of pounds in property damage, loss of working hours and any legal advice required. And that is just the best-case scenario. The worst-case can involve serious injuries of your staff and customers or even death if the robbers come armed. These stats are quite daunting and prove that owners need to take better measures to protect their convenience store. Here are some useful tips to up your security today. 1. Train Your Staff Training your employees to keep a lookout for shoplifters can have a significant impact on whether your store is considered an ‘easy target.’ Moreover, how your staff behaves during a robbery can be a matter of life or death, literally. Develop a proper training system and have regular drills so your staff can react swiftly in case of a break-in. 2. Install Good Lighting Stores with dim lighting and shady corners are a favourite of burglars. It allows them to slip in without anybody noticing and escape without being recognized. Installing security and floodlights will ward off robbers and make your store appear busy at all times. 3. Arrange Your Stock Smartly While having your store well-stocked is essential for profits, you need to make sure it isn’t blocking the windows. If your merchandise covers the employees from sight, it can give thieves extra confidence to rob the store. Always make sure your employees appear vigilant and attentive, especially to anybody looking in from the parking lot. 4. Use Panic Buttons Installing panic buttons at the cash register and a few other hidden spots around your store will ensure the authorities are alerted on time and can reach before the thieves take off. It will not just prevent the robbers from stealing all the cash but can also save lives. 5. Invest in a Good Security System One of the best ways to protect your convenience store at all times of the day is by investing in a smart security system. It comes with various sensors, security cameras and burglar alarms to optimize your store’s safety and keep your employees, customers, and merchandise out of harm’s way. You can even opt for professional monitoring and an automatic alarm system, which will immediately alert the police or fire department in case of an emergency. 6. Show it Off Once you’ve gotten your security system installed, be sure to show it off by placing stickers that inform outsiders of the safety elements. It will be the perfect deterrent to ward off robbers and make them think twice before making your store their target. Final Words Convenience store thefts may be high, but by following these tips and acting smartly, you can minimize the damage done to your store and its customers. Always encourage your employees to comply with the robbers and not fight back in case they come armed. Nothing is more precious than human life, after all.

For more information on Protect Your Convenience Store with These Tips talk to Eagle Security Solutions Ltd