5 Essential Tips to Prevent Losses on Black Friday

Black Friday: a key moment for retailers and a frenzy for shoppers. But behind this excitement lies a significant challenge: security. As customers rush into stores, losses from shoplifting can reach new heights. Here are five essential tips to prevent your profits from disappearing amid the crowd.

1. Enhance security by deploying additional security guards

To manage the massive influx of customers, it is crucial to increase the number of security guards in shopping centers. Deploying well-trained security professionals to strategic locations helps monitor, detect, and deter undesirable behaviors, such as shoplifting and assaults, while ensuring a safer and more welcoming environment for customers.
 

2. Prevent shoplifting by mobilizing floor detectives

The heightened risk of shoplifting requires proactive measures, including the deployment of floor detectives. These professionals specialized in loss prevention monitor and detect suspicious behaviors and can also intervene when necessary. Their presence allows your employees to focus fully on their primary sales and customer service tasks.

3. Train employees in Loss Prevention

To maximize the effectiveness of your security measures, it is imperative to prepare your sales team to react proactively to shoplifting. Your employees should be trained to recognize signs of theft and know how to respond to suspicious behaviors. Regular training sessions will inform them about loss prevention techniques and behaviors to watch for. A well-prepared team is essential for minimizing the risk of losses.

4. Strengthen your security procedures

Enhanced vigilance during Black Friday is crucial. To achieve this, it is essential to ensure that security protocols are clearly communicated to teams so they can spot and report suspicious behaviors.

Here are some recommendations:

• Employee positioning: Ensure the employees are positioned to have a clear view of the sales area without their backs to the wall. This will allow for better monitoring of customer behaviors.
• Staff placement: Establish a staff placement plan to cover all areas of the store, ensuring continuous surveillance.
• Enhanced customer service: Customer service must be upheld throughout the customer journey to encourage ongoing interaction. As Marc-Andre Plaisance, Director of Loss Prevention Services at GardaWorld Security, states: “The more attention a thief feels on them, the less likely they are to act.”
• Establish a radio code for a security incident: Create a radio code system related to checking theft indicators, such as tag swapping, empty packaging, and items stacked near exits. This will help proactively detect and report theft risks.

5. Implement effective surveillance technology

Using effective surveillance technology is crucial for preventing losses in stores, especially during critical periods like Black Friday. Advanced video surveillance systems are now indispensable tools. It is essential to ensure that camera positioning is optimal to cover all strategic angles of your store, including entrances, exits, checkout areas, and fitting rooms.

Maximize your Black Friday success

As a retailer, Black Friday represents a great business opportunity, but it also poses security challenges. By applying these five recommendations, you can not only reduce the risk of losses but also ensure a safe and enjoyable shopping experience for your customers.

To learn more about our loss prevention services, contact us.