If you operate a small business, you have likely encountered a shoplifter. Up to 40% of annual retail losses are due to shoplifting. As a small business owner, it's a good idea to explore various ways to deter theft, including having on-site security guards and excellent customer service. Here are some practical ways to protect your bottom line and reduce theft. 

How to Prevent Shoplifting

1. Greet Customers

One of the best ways to deter shoplifting is to go above and beyond with customer service. Ideally, your store should have adequate staffing to prevent shoplifters from distracting staff or stealing from unsupervised areas. However, having enough staff for the day also allows the team to greet everyone as soon as they walk into the building.

When retail employees greet customers who intend to shop, they make a good impression, making customers more likely to buy goods. However, the greeting will make some shoplifters uneasy because they know that the employees can see them and will be attentive. 

2. Secure Easily or Frequently Targeted Items

Some items are more desirable to thieves, so they become high targets. For instance, jewelry, high-end clothing, and fashionable footwear are items shoplifters steal. However, if you know what thieves like to take from your business, you can secure them to make theft more difficult. 

An example is clothing sensors. These small devices attach to garments and emit a loud noise if they cross the sensor threshold by the front door. You can also connect cables with alarms and thick cords to expensive apparel and clothing racks to prevent people from taking the items off the stands without an associate's assistance. Jewelry can be secured behind a glass case, or you could put frequently stolen items in plain view by the cash register, where they will be hard to remove without someone noticing. 

3. Hire a Security Guard

Another way to prevent shoplifting is to hire security guards to stand by the exit. Security guards discourage shoplifters from stealing because they know the guard will thoroughly monitor the business. The security personnel can also check receipts and ask to see the bags of anyone they suspect is stealing. You could hire uniformed guards to openly deter shoplifters or plainclothes security to identify and stop active shoplifters. 

Security guards from Desert Mountain Security will give you peace of mind and superior protection for your shop's inventory. Based in Kingman, AZ, this trained security company offers various protective services for residential, commercial, public, and industrial sites. Their trained security team upholds NERC-CIP and OSHA Safety Standards, which allow them to perform construction and industrial security duties. You can also receive security consultations if you have concerns about potential security problems on your property. Call (928) 263-1127 to request a consultation or visit them online to learn more about their services.