When we think about the threats to the retail industry shoplifting is probably the first thing that comes to mind. The second most obvious threat is targeted robberies, where shopkeepers or till staff are threatened and ordered to empty the cash register. These are certainly frontline concerns for retail store owners and employees, but there are others which are underestimated, and which therefore pose a bigger risk because stores and staff may not be prepared for them.
The risk of violence is growing, with anti-social behaviour increasing significantly since Covid. In a recent survey of retailers, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) found that for 96% of retailers it is a top three concern. This is a relatively new development; in the period 2019 to 2020 there were an average of 341 incidents of physical or verbal abuse per day, rising to 722 in the most recent period. This significant recent rise means it’s often underestimated by the public and by retail staff, especially those new to the industry.
Retailers can take some measures to protect staff; including keeping any items that could be used as a weapon or projectile behind the counter, out of the reach of customers. Scheduling shifts so that no-one ever works or closes up alone is also sensible, and if there is the budget for it, a physical presence like a security guard is worth having, especially in areas where violence or anti-social behaviour is a problem.
Hot weather increases the risk of violence and anti-social behaviour, so retailers may want to keep an eye on the weather and put more staff on when the mercury rises, or employ a security guard seasonally. CCTV is vital in securing identification and conviction of offenders, so ensure you have good quality cameras that capture facial details well.
Hot weather, extreme cold weather, and flooding is the other underestimated threat to retailers. In a big-picture sense, extreme weather events can affect the supply chain, and cause unseasonal spikes in demands. The same phenomenon causes demand to fall for certain items that would usually sell well, think about ice-cream sales during a windy, grey summer day.
Heatwaves and summer storms keep people indoors and out of the shops, while the sorts of deluges we can get after a period of humid weather mean that flash flooding is a problem. Early flood detection systems are available for premises that are prone to flooding, but prevention is better than cure, so if you can shore up ground floor premises and ensure no stock is kept below a certain level you can ensure that if a flood happens you won’t lose inventory
Extended drought periods can cause wildfires, which were a problem last year and are set to become more regular as our weather and climate continues to change. It is vital that store owners have a working fire and smoke alarm, plus a sprinkler system that can deal with any fires before they get out of control. Wildfires may not be a concern in town centres but in rural areas they can start and spread quickly.
The present economic situation is causing many immediate problems for the retail industry but it doesn’t mean that the existing threats are any less pressing. P&R Alarms can help Midlands based retail businesses protect themselves and their employees from these underestimated threats to security, and the problem of shoplifting and organised robbery.