12.17.2024
When you think of retail security systems, the first things that come to mind are measures like surveillance cameras, alarms, and maybe even security guards. However, while these are all essential components of a well-rounded store security system, they don’t physically prevent retail theft.
With organized retail crime, smash-and-grab theft, and rioting and looting incidents on the rise across the U.S., it’s more important than ever for retailers to implement physical security system components that prevent thieves from gaining access to merchandise — whether it’s during an after-hours burglary attempt or a brazen daylight flash rob.
Four Types of Retail Security Systems That Stop Thieves
1. Security Shutters
Security shutters are one of the most effective components of physical retail security systems that retailers can use to prevent theft, especially after business hours or during civil unrest that could lead to rioting and looting. These heavy-duty metal shutters can be rolled down to cover storefront windows and doors, creating an impenetrable barrier that deters criminals from even attempting a break-in.
Security shutters come in several styles, including solid, perforated, and even clear options that combine polycarbonate slats with metal rails for when you want to prioritize visibility. Additionally, security shutters are available in both motorized and manually operable varieties. This customizability allows retailers to choose the style best suits their needs and store design.
When locked into place over storefront windows and doors, security shutters provide robust protection against forced entry and burglary and protect the storefront glass against acts of vandalism and even weather-related or accidental damage.
Security shutters serve as a strong visual deterrent for retailers operating in high-risk areas prone to retail theft or frequent vandalism. Criminals are less likely to target stores with visible security barriers, and the added physical protection makes it far more challenging for would-be burglars to access valuable inventory inside the store if they decide to go ahead with a break-and-enter attempt.
2. Riot Glass Security Glazing
Riot Glass is a specialized security glazing designed to withstand high-impact attempts to breach windows and doors.
Made from unique blends of security glass and non-glass materials, including polycarbonate and other durable plastics, Riot Glass is shatterproof and can resist even the most determined smash-and-grab attempts.
Unlike regular commercial glass, which can easily shatter or crumble upon impact, Riot Glass stands firm against blows from baseball bats, crowbars, sledgehammers, and other tools commonly used by retail thieves to force entry or commit a smash-and-grab.
One of the other significant benefits of Riot Glass is that it provides an extremely high level of security without compromising visibility or natural light, making it an ideal form of “always-there” protection that mitigates the risk of theft during and after business hours.
Since it looks and functions like regular glass, Riot Glass allows retailers to maintain their storefront’s appearance and purpose — displaying merchandise to attract window shoppers and passersby during business hours — while adding a robust layer of physical protection against theft.
When used in tandem with security shutters, Riot Glass also dramatically contributes to after-hours security, making it even more difficult for burglars to break into stores overnight than shutters on their own. Even if would-be intruders manage to compromise a security shutter or if a shutter wasn’t put correctly into place by a store’s employees, the criminals will be met with another layer of virtually unbreakable storefront security glazing.
For retailers that experience frequent vandalism or smash-and-grab theft, installing Riot Glass can be an incredibly valuable addition to their retail security systems, saving money in the long run by reducing costs associated with replacing broken windows and lost inventory.
3. Security Cases
Retailers that carry small, high-value items that can be easily resold are frequent targets of thieves. For these businesses, security cases are another option to consider. These cases can be strategically placed on the sales floor and in inventory rooms, offering flexibility in displaying and securing merchandise.
On the retail floor, security cases allow employees to display merchandise without putting it directly in reach of customers, who can still view items safely and request assistance to examine them up close. Employees can also quickly lock the most valuable merchandise in security cases during a flash rob or smash-and-grab theft.
Meanwhile, placing security cases in inventory rooms adds another layer of protection, making it much harder for unauthorized individuals to access the most valuable stock. For even greater security, retailers can install a security shutter over the inventory room door, preventing potential thieves from reaching these cases.
Beyond their security benefits, these cases can be either freestanding or fully customized and modular, enabling retailers to select designs that fit their store layout and aesthetic. This flexibility helps businesses create a seamless shopping experience without compromising on their retail security systems, keeping high-value merchandise safe while still accessible to employees as needed.
4. High-Security Exit Doors
As criminals encounter more robust security measures on windows and main entrances, they often look for alternative entry points, such as emergency exits, employee-only doors, and low-visibility side entrances.
High-security exit doors provide essential protection for these vulnerable areas, where forced entry is common, especially in locations with less foot traffic. These reinforced doors and their hardware are made from durable metals and designed to withstand a variety of break-in methods, including prying, cutting, sawing, drilling, hammering, and even ramming with a vehicle, making it extremely difficult for thieves to gain access.
For stores in areas prone to organized retail crime, reinforcing all exterior exit doors is crucial to minimize the risk of break-ins. High-security exit doors can also be equipped with advanced locking mechanisms and access control systems to restrict entry, allowing only authorized personnel access to these areas even during business hours.
These doors are also valuable for protecting inventory storage areas, such as stock rooms and back rooms where excess merchandise is stored. For high-risk retail businesses, like pharmacies, electronics stores, cannabis dispensaries, and other retailers that carry valuable items in large quantities, reinforcing storage areas with high-security doors helps secure inventory from targeted threats.
Conclusion
A multi-layered approach to retail security is essential to combat the growing threat of retail theft. Traditional system components, such as surveillance cameras, alarms, and security guards, provide valuable monitoring and deterrence but often need to catch up when physically preventing theft.
But by combining these traditional components with robust physical security measures, including security shutters, Riot Glass, security cases, and high-security doors, retailers can build a comprehensive retail security system that deters thieves and, more importantly, keeps them out.
Each physical security measure discussed above contributes unique strengths: security shutters effectively block after-hours entry; Riot Glass provides resilient, invisible protection for storefront displays; security cases safeguard high-value items, both on the floor and in storage; and high-security doors protect less-visible exists and entrances and secure back rooms from forced entry. Together, these elements form an integrated barrier that criminals will find extremely difficult to breach.
This layered approach helps protect valuable merchandise and reduce financial loss related to theft and property damage and provides peace of mind for retailers and their staff. By employing a strategic blend of traditional and physical security systems, retailers can stay one step ahead of thieves and ensure a safer environment for their customers and employees!
