CCTV Systems for Retail Surveillance

Shrinkage is a significant drain on any retail operation. Between losses due to shoplifting and losses due to employee theft, most retail stores lose as much as 5 percent of their prospective income to shrinkage and theft. CCTV systems for security can make a significant dent in that percentage, increasing your retail profits and helping you manage your store more effectively. If you’re considering installing a security camera system, consider these important factors before you make your purchase.

Surveillance Points

Each surveillance camera represents a set of “eyes” on your operation. Before you start shopping, survey your property for points where a security camera is likely to make a difference. The most effective CCTV systems include cameras that allow one person to view the entire store at all times. Position cameras at places that can’t be easily seen from checkout registers, customer service desks and other places where you typically station staff.

Point of Sale

A point of sale surveillance camera is useful for a number of different reasons. It’s the best way to catch employee POS theft, where employees pocket cash instead of putting it into the register, undercharge customers and pocket the difference or take money from the register. In addition, point of sale surveillance allows you to monitor cashier performance and customer interaction and can provide evidence to exonerate employees against customer complaints.

Storage Rooms

Most employers don’t want to think that their trusted employees could be deliberately and systematically stealing from them, but a great deal of shrinkage happens before merchandise ever hits the selling floor. A CCTV camera in the back rooms can capture employee theft of goods that never make it to the shelves.

Outside Security Camera Surveillance

CCTV systems can provide security beyond loss prevention. Most retail establishments position a security camera at each point of entry and exit from the store to capture images of customers and staff entering and leaving. A parking lot security camera can also provide a measure of security for your staff and customers’ parked vehicles by letting your security staff keep an eye out for thieves and vandals who target cars in the lot.

Providing adequate surveillance is an essential security factor for your retail store. High quality CCTV systems can make it far easier for your security staff to keep a close eye on your premises and property. Reducing shrinkage through better surveillance will increase your bottom line and make your business more profitable.