Enhancing Retail Safety During Peak Shopping Season

The peak shopping season may be more challenging for retail employers this year. Safety and security are top priorities based on recent increased violence. Retailers are witnessing a disturbing rise in violent incidents, including armed robberies, assaults, and confrontations.

“Retail employers are looking for more effective technologies that can help increase awareness for ongoing safety threats,” said Steve Simon, Senior Risk Control Manager at Safety National. “When applied correctly, this technology should be able to spot illicit activity and communicate quickly and seamlessly with other employees and first responders should an incident arise.”

According to the Retail Worker Safety Report from Motorola Solutions, respondents reported that petty theft (54%), grab-and-run incidents (35%) and hostile customer interactions (31%) have increased in their stores over the past year. As a result, nearly two out of every three retail employees are at least somewhat concerned for their personal safety at work heading into the holiday shopping season. Some of the key findings from the report include:

• Technology can play a meaningful role in increasing retail workers’ feelings of safety.

  Respondents said their stores currently feature video security systems (76%), alarm systems (64%), and merchandise sensors (44%), but that additional technologies would make them feel safer. This might include artificial intelligence (AI) to detect guns (42%), access control systems to lock doors when threats are detected (36%), wearable or mounted panic buttons to alert for help (30%), and license plate readers to identify vehicles associated with criminal activity (30%).

• Some retailers are updating their safety and security protocols to support preparedness.

  Respondents reported progress in terms of preparedness and awareness. About one-third (36%) said their employer had introduced a new worker safety measure in the past 12 months, with top changes including increased emergency response training (49%), more timely communication about in-store incidents (41%), and additional security personnel (33%).

• Retail workers who feel safer stay longer.

  One in four (26%) respondents said they have considered leaving retail due to safety concerns. Retailers who invest in store safety and security measures are more likely to build employee morale and retention.

Planning and preparation are the keys to this retail peak season. Retailers should consider the following leading practices:

• Risk Assessment and Planning

  Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment can identify potential vulnerabilities in your store locations. Understanding the specific threats to your store allows you to customize a specific safety and security improvement plan. Implementing robust measures can prevent unauthorized individuals from entering restricted areas. This includes keycards, badges, and biometric systems to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive areas within the store. More advanced measures could include panic or emergency buttons, safe rooms and AI software for your cameras to detect license plates, weapons, and threats in real-time.

• Customer Engagement

  Encouraging customers to report safety concerns or violent incidents can be helpful to identify and respond to concerns more quickly. Providing a mobile reporting app or anonymous tip line can make the experience easy for your customers to report these concerns.

• Buddy System

  Consider implementing a buddy system where employees leave or carpool together. Human Resources can also work with other local businesses to develop a plan for employees to support each other.

• Staff Training and Awareness

  Investing in specific or customized training for your staff is essential for enhancing your safety and security programs. Employees should be trained to recognize suspicious behavior, respond appropriately to security incidents, and understand the importance of maintaining a secure environment.

• Effective Crowd Management

  For retailers hosting promotional activities or large sales events, effective crowd management practices and procedures are critical. A comprehensive strategy for managing crowds can prevent chaos, reduce the risk of violence, and ensure the safety of both customers and staff.

• Incident Response Planning

  Having a clear and concise incident response plan is critical for handling security concerns at the store locations. This plan includes outlining the steps to be taken in various scenarios, such as theft, violence, or other emergencies. Ensuring that all staff members are familiar with the plan can minimize confusion and chaos and ensure a coordinated response.

Retail employers should understand the changing nature of safety and security threats. By implementing comprehensive strategies, retailers can create a safe and secure environment for their customers and staff. Everyone must remain vigilant and adaptive to the evolving threat landscape.