American businessmen lose almost $50 billion a year to retail theft (shoplifting). Organized Retail Crime (ORC) a primary contributor of loss prevention. Yes, organized retail theft. “Organized retail crime involves the association of two or more persons engaged in illegally obtaining retail merchandise in substantial quantities through both theft and fraud as part of an unlawful commercial enterprise.” (Loss Prevention Foundation). Credit and gift card fraud, e-fraud and identity theft, and of course shoplifting from brick and mortar stores. In protecting a retail store consider the following:

Retail Security Risk Assessment

• Understanding your risk, the main points are:
o What is value of the goods you want to protect? High-value items you will want to protect and secure. The thieves will conduct their own reconnaissance prior to the theft. The higher the value of the goods, the more the thieves will risk obtaining them.
o Attacks during working hours represent a major risk for your clientele and employees, the primary imperative to protect life and limb. There are instances of criminal gangs using high-power saws to cut through the walls just a few feet from where staff were working.
o Location – have there been other ORC incidents in your area over the last 2-3 years? Crime spots tend to be geographical, so be aware.
 Corner shops tend not to have expensive high-end goods, so an assault by power tools is not likely.
 High population areas are safer as the perpetrators will not persist beyond 2-3 minutes, before giving up and leaving.
 But a luxury jewelry shop’s ‘size of the prize’ is much higher, and motive for a longer attack and a more well-equipped assault on your premises.
 Higher security ratings will lower your cost of insurance and increase the likelihood you will retain your property.

Custom Risk Security Solutions

• Do your research. Threat levels and types vary from store to store. One of the problems many have is in believing a successful implementation in one store will work in another. Not the way it works!
o Every store has a unique risk profile and therefore will require a unique solution. Most retailer respond to recurring challenges by applying corresponding solutions. But one size doesn’t fit all. You run the risk of applying a blanket security solution specification without really having an understanding why your doing what you’re doing.
o Assessment of threat levels need to be researched, there being a lot of online content on how to secure your store you need to avail yourself of this information.
• Invest in physical security-physical security investments may cause some financial discomfort because not all these solutions would be considered inexpensive. The cost of ineffective physical security falls into two categories:
o Direct Costs are the actual cost to the store because of the loss of product due to a successful ORC attack. Cost of goods stolen and repair of damage to the premises are two considerations.
o Indirect Costs are those items that affect the bottom line, like down time due to premise repair, injured staff or clientele. Perception damage to the brand and reputation.

Security, Private Investigations & More in Greater Miami, Sunny Isles, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Weston, Plantation City & Miami Gardens Florida

Intelligent investment into physical security will mitigate the risk of a successful retail attack. It is the right thing to due to protect your goods, employees and customers.
Advanced Private Investigator & Security of Miami FL can handle all your private investigator and security needs. Contact us today!