Retail Security Tips 4

Stock Security and Control

Stock security and control within retail and commercial businesses will depend largely upon good co-ordination between management, staff, security personnel, and store detectives. All staff should receive training or instruction to advise them of the security requirements and procedures for handling of stock. The crime prevention advice offered should include the following:

Only an optimum level of stock should be retained on the premises, and stock requirements and holding procedures reviewed regularly for security purposes.

Responsibility for stock handling should be shared amongst designated staff.

Stock loading areas should, if possible, be located away from public areas, streets etc.

The loading and unloading of stock should be supervised and all transactions recorded.

Stock containers should be sealed and clearly identifiable with security markers.

High value stock within the retail area should be security tagged, with electronic article surveillance systems in place, that are selected, installed and operated according to an approved security standard.

Stock items in the retail area should carry a tag displaying the name of the shop and the price of the to be charged and the possibility of the stock being purchased elsewhere.

High value goods which are easily portable should be kept out of sight at night.

Displays which cannot be supervised should be

Open displays, and in particular those of high value goods, should not be sited near the entrance/exit

Staff should ensure that customer receipts are issued for all transactions.

Where there are large stocks of high value goods, the installation of security grilles or shutters should be considered.

Stock rooms should be secure, and inconspicuous in décor and location within the premises so as not to attract undue attention.

All stocks should be checked on delivery and rechecked in the storeroom. The movement of all stock should be recorded and accounted for by designated staff.

Stock requisitions should be checked by some person other than the Issuing Authority.

Spot checks should be carried out on stock levels.

Visitors to the stock area should be kept to the minimum for work purposes, and always escorted.

Loading bays and stock rooms should be locked when not being actively used.

Stock rooms and stock loading areas should be under constant CCTV surveillance.

The removal of waste/damaged stock should be supervised by nominated personnel and carried out by commercial refuse services.

The effectiveness of security systems and crime prevention measures should be regularly evaluated against the rate of stock loss. 

For more information visit: https://www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/protecting-your-business/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1af8MtNvn7N1t9FPUk02b84ao7VsF5mg2RO6iLnzBGyC10d6bnSUak_mM_aem_ATQbywoWBbTLPTclzrB1W_DAijPhN9R4jeum_QbIKWTOjnI8otF70C6lM9h8w1RBLzk4uq_SFJ0loAJ_C6DeHWJk