An image of an employee using an access control system, which can help reduce internal theft

Three Simple Ways to Prevent Internal Theft in Retail

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

An image of an employee using an access control system, which can help reduce internal theftThe National Retail Federation reported that theft, fraud, and other forms of retail shrink equated to nearly $62 billion in losses in 2019. While thefts from burglaries, shoplifting, and payment fraud make up most of this, internal theft contributes significantly to losses. 

Internal theft comes in many forms, including time theft, cash skimming, stealing merchandise, or offering unauthorized discounts to family and friends. The NRF’s 2019 Security Study revealed that each dishonest employee represents an average of $1,264.10 in losses. 

With that in mind, here are a few ways you can adjust your loss prevention strategy to protect against internal theft.

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A shoplifter engaging in retail theft

Four Common Crimes Retailers Face

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

According to the National Retail Federation, retail theft and fraud amounted to 1.62% of sales in 2019 and about $61.7 billion in losses. While these numbers are daunting, there are simple steps you can take to reduce theft in your business. Keep these common retail crimes in mind as you devise a loss prevention plan for your business.

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Two people discussing a business security CCTV project. Video security equipment and blueprint on a table.

The Importance of a Commercial Security Needs Analysis

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Two people discussing a business security CCTV project. Video security equipment and blueprint on a table.There are an average of over 400,000 commercial burglaries each year. For some business owners, this information is enough to convince them it’s time to install a commercial surveillance system on their property to boost their business security.

However, according to David Oles, Integrated Systems Consultant for American Alarm, a surveillance system all on its own won’t bring business owners the security they’re after. “[Business owners] think they need to install cameras for security to catch people when they break in, but that’s not [always] the right solution.”

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Broken door window, Business Security Tips

Business Security Tips

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

While you might have been covered in the past, you might want to upgrade, update, and implement new or better business security measures to ensure that you are protected in the future. Otherwise, you risk endangering your business. Read on for our business security tips.

Cover Your Entire Brick and Mortar with Video Surveillance

Partial video surveillance isn’t enough anymore. You may have portions of your location monitored by surveillance, but if you want to give yourself the best chance of deterring theft and break-ins, a full-scale surveillance strategy is imperative. Ensure that your front and back entrances, as well as your public floors and back rooms are completely covered by a high-quality video surveillance system.

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Security camera on blurred background of people in the cafe, concept of security and safety, protect your business

Ways to Protect Your Business Against Theft and Other Threats

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Security camera on blurred background of people in the cafe, concept of security and safetyBrick and mortar businesses can be the target of several types of crimes. If you have been the victim of a crime, or if you are worried about becoming one, you need to implement greater security measures. Let’s dig into some ways you can protect your business in the future from some of the most common threats.

Burglary

  • Use a Better Security System: A lock and key isn’t going to cut it anymore. A security system deters roughly 60% of would-be burglars. Keep your business equipped with a burglar alarm system built to alert you to intruders with speed and efficiency.

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Woman Stealing Clothes From Store

Shoplifting Rises During April School Vacation

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Woman Stealing Clothes From Store

New England store owners lose billions of dollars annually in stolen merchandise. In Massachusetts alone, shrinkage due to shoplifting reached approximately one billion dollars last year. While the largest spike in shoplifting occurs during the holiday season, April is also a month in which shoplifting is more common, as youth are usually on spring break during this time.

The majority of shoplifting crimes are committed by people ages 35-54. However, approximately 25% of all shoplifters are under the age of 18. This means that your store needs to take extra precautions during the month of April, when teens are out of school and therefore have more opportunity to shop – and potentially shoplift.

If you want to protect your business from an increase in shoplifting, or if you’d like to work to eliminate instances of shoplifting, take a look at the following tips. These actionable pieces of advice can ensure that your business remains as profitable as possible this April and beyond.

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Predictions for 2019: Why Cybersecurity Protects Physical Security

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Given recent trends in information technology and crime, we have two major predictions about security in 2019:

  1. The biggest single threat to your business will come via cybersecurity vulnerability.
  2. The Internet of Things (IoT) will come to dominate your house and small business systems (assuming IoT hasn’t already taken over).

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How to Mitigate Organized Retail Crime This Holiday Season

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Dealing with organized retail crime (ORC) is one of the major challenges for loss prevention programs across the country. Now that holiday and Black Friday shopping are fast approaching, ORC is likely a primary concern for your retail business.

Why are most retail businesses concerned? ORC costs the retail industry about $30 billion each year, according to the 2016 Organized Retail Crime Survey, an annual survey conducted by the National Retail Federation (NRF).

Moreover, the problem is growing. For the first time, 100 percent of the retailers surveyed by the NRF said they have been victims of organized retail crime, up from 97 percent in 2015. In addition, 83 percent of the retailers surveyed reported an increase in ORC year-over-year. Read more →

Business Security: 10 Tips to Prevent Shoplifting

/1 Comment/by American Alarm Blogging Team

In 2016, the average inventory shrink rate, increased to 1.44 percent, up from 1.38 percent in 2015, according to the National Retail Security Survey 2017. Shoplifting by outside customers, accounted for 37% of retail inventory loss, followed by 30% in employee theft, 21% in administrative errors and 5% in vendor fraud. This loss cost retailers about $48.9 billion worth of inventory, a National Retail Federation survey found.

Items most commonly stolen include clothing, books, music, jewelry, watches, tires and car parts. “Everyone thinks about little Johnny stealing a pack of bubble gum, but there are also professional gangs that target stores and steal billions of dollars every year,” says Joseph LaRocca, an adviser for the National Retail Federation, in the article. Read more →

Caught in The Act: Video Verified Alarm Systems Improve Police Response Time to Business Burglaries

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

blog-post-image-video-verification-headline-image copyTry typing “how to break into a store with an alarm” into Google search, and you’ll be startled to see almost 15 million results.

Businesses without alarms are 4.5 times more likely to be burglarized than those that do have them. But even a great alarm system won’t always stop the most tenacious burglars from trying.

The good news is, business security systems that protect retail, dealerships, schools, warehouses, construction sites, mom and pop shops, residences, and more, are evolving. And modern technology is leading to higher apprehension rates, fewer false alarms, and more comprehensive protection.

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