Theft has been a threat to retail security for as long as stores have existed, but long gone are the days when store owners mainly had to worry about small-scale shoplifting. Modern retailers face far more serious threats, including forced entry and burglary, rioting and looting, smash-and-grab theft, and organized retail crime.
Thieves themselves have also become more sophisticated and less fearful, further complicating retail security and giving rise to an increased need for modern retail theft mitigation solutions that go beyond simply deterring would-be criminals — these solutions must physically prevent theft.
What Retail Security Threats Do Businesses Need To Protect Against?
Forced Entry and Burglary
After-hours forced entry and burglary are top concerns for retailers. Criminals often exploit weaknesses in a store’s exterior, specifically storefront doors and windows and vulnerable side or rear exit doors, to gain unauthorized entry and access to valuable inventory.
Traditional retail security measures, like cameras, alarms, and basic locks, are no longer sufficient to deter criminals, as thieves have become skilled at bypassing them and often know how long they have to get in and out before the authorities respond.
Rioting and Looting
In times of civil unrest, peaceful protests can quickly degenerate into rioting and looting, posing a significant threat to retail businesses. During such chaotic events, stores are often indiscriminately targeted for vandalism and theft, resulting in massive losses and extensive damage that’s expensive to repair.
Retail business owners have traditionally relied on reactive solutions, such as boarding up storefront windows and doors, to protect their stores against rioting and looting, but the unpredictable nature of these threats often renders such solutions useless. The reality is that retailers need 24/7 protection against rioting and looting to prevent losses.
Smash-and-Grab Theft
Smash-and-grab theft is a type of retail theft in which thieves rely on speed, force, and the element of surprise to overwhelm retailers.
During a smash-and-grab theft, the criminals quickly break into a store, typically by using force to shatter glass storefronts or display cases, and steal thousands of dollars worth of high-value merchandise within a few minutes (or even in a matter of seconds). There’s even a variation of smash-and-grab theft known as crash-and-grab, in which the criminals use a vehicle to smash through doors or windows.
Whatever their methods are, this type of theft can happen both after hours and when a business is open.
In recent years, brazen daytime smash-and-grabs have become the norm in many US cities, with security personnel and even police unable to respond in time or lacking the resources and authority to respond effectively.
Thieves know they can get away in time, and show little to no regard for traditional security measures, including cameras, alarms, and even security guards. They simply cover their faces and make their getaway before anyone can do anything about it. Because of this, the responsibility to prevent smash-and-grabs is now in the hands of retailers.
Organized Retail Crime
Organized retail crime is one of the most complex and costly retail security threats that modern retailers face.
Unlike opportunistic theft, which often involves only one or two individuals stealing from a store, organized retail crime involves large, well-coordinated groups of criminals who steal large quantities of merchandise to sell on black markets.
Criminal groups dedicated to organized retail theft may use a combination of tactics and they target all kinds of retailers, from luxury retail stores and jewelry shops to electronics retailers and hardware stores. They often employ smash-and-grab tactics on a massive scale, sending dozens of criminals to target stores at once, with various getaway vehicles involved. This tactic has been dubbed a “flash rob,” short for “flash robbery.”
Regardless of the tactics used by the criminals, organized retail crime can cause significant financial losses, disrupt operations, and potentially tarnish a retailer’s reputation, making it imperative for business owners to implement solutions to protect their stores against this type of large-scale retail theft.
There can also be a level of emotional trauma involved for employees who are present during a violent incident of organized retail theft. In many cases, employees may be scared to return to work after the incident. This is another impact of this type of crime that retailers have to consider and implement measures to mitigate.
What Retail Security Measures Can Retailers Implement To Mitigate Threats?
To effectively mitigate many modern retail security threats, retailers should consider installing security shutters and security glazing, such as Riot Glass, over vulnerable storefront windows and doors. Security screens are another effective option. These versatile solutions offer strong storefront protection, while also accommodating different preferences when it comes to visibility and aesthetics.
For retailers who prioritize maximum after-hours security, solid shutters provide robust protection, completely covering windows and doors to block access and visibility into the store. Not only does this create a formidable barrier to forced entry, but it also prevents would-be thieves from seeing inside to plan a break-in or theft attempt.
Solid security shutters are ideal for preventing after-hours forced entry and burglary, vandalism, looting, and smash-and-grab theft.
On the other hand, business owners who wish to maintain some level of visibility with retail security measures in place may prefer to install perforated, vision-profile, or clear shutters. These see-through options provide the perfect balance between security and display, protecting storefronts against forced entry and theft while still allowing passersby (potential future customers) and security personnel or law enforcement to see into the store.
In addition to offering varying levels of retail security and storefront visibility, security shutters can be customized to match the aesthetics of the storefront they’re protecting. From sleek, modern designs to more traditional options, store owners can choose the style that complements their business’s appearance while keeping it safe from criminals.
Installing security glazing over vulnerable storefront windows, doors, and display cases can further increase protection, working in tandem with solutions like roll-down shutters to create an extra layer of defense against break-ins and smash-and-grab theft.
Unlike traditional commercial glass, which is usually some form of tempered safety glass that can be easily broken using a hammer or another common burglary tool, security glazing is highly impact resistant and can significantly delay or even prevent forced entry altogether.
With the right storefront security measures in place, business owners can rest easy at night knowing that their businesses are protected from a full range of retail security threats, and that they won’t have to jump to action after getting a call that their store has been targeted by organized retail thieves or seeing on the news that rioters and looters are nearby.
Some types of storefront shutters are even hurricane-approved, meaning they can provide businesses with protection against mother nature in areas like Florida and other southeastern states where hurricanes and strong windstorms are a concern.
Combining Security Shutters with Other Retail Security Measures
While security shutters are a solid foundation for protecting stores against theft, they’re most effective when integrated into a comprehensive retail security system. Retailers should combine these storefront barriers with other key modern security measures, including monitored surveillance and alarm systems.
Monitored surveillance and alarm systems allow business owners and security companies to keep an eye on premises 24/7, alerting them to potential breaches and allowing for the most rapid response possible in the event of a security incident.
It’s true that these more traditional security measures, no matter how modern their technology, don’t prevent forced entry or theft, and they sometimes don’t even deter criminals, but they’re still an important part of any multi-layered retail security system.
By combining security shutters with other components of a comprehensive store security system, businesses can ensure they’re addressing all aspects of modern retail security, from deterrence and alert systems to physical barriers against damage and theft.
Conclusion
Retailers today face more complex security threats and challenges than ever. Fortunately, there’s also never been a better selection of retail security solutions available for business owners to choose from to address these issues.
Whether you’re a business owner looking for ways to secure your property against forced entry and theft or a security product dealer interested in expanding your offerings, our team at QMi can provide you with expert guidance. Contact us today for a consultation!