Video Surveillance for Retail Stores and Shops
Retail stores are the perfect candidate for video surveillance, because they are easy targets for theft and robbery. A smartly installed video surveillance system makes it easy to protect your customers, merchandise and profits from theft and vandalism.
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Advantages of Store Surveillance
- Prevent theft – Prominently placed security cameras can help deter potential thieves and identify those who do steal.
- Improve image – The presence of a security system shows your customers that you care about their security and can improve their shopping experience.
- Remote monitoring – The addition of an NVR (network video recorder) to a surveillance system allows you to broadcast your footage over the internet. This allows you to monitor any of your cameras at any time – perfect for large “big box” stores, stores with multiple locations, or franchises.
- Easy to install – Security systems with IP (Internet Protocol) cameras take minutes to install – just mount the cameras.
Risks of Video Surveillance in Shops and Markets
- Privacy – protect the privacy of your employees and customers by keeping security cameras in public areas like the sales floor and customer service desk and out of bathrooms and employee break rooms.
- Disruptions – Power surges or outages can cause damage or disruptions in your video surveillance footage. Although these risks are rare, it's important to have an alternate security system in place should they occur in your store.
- Theft and vandalism – Cameras are becoming an appealing target for thieves who see their cost as an opportunity to make more money from the robbery or who want to help disguise their identities. Stolen cameras can damage your system and leave certain areas of your store vulnerable to further robbery.
Configuration of Security Cameras in Retail Shops and Discount Stores
Video surveillance solutions for retail stores are dependent on may different factors. Consider each of the following when purchasing and installing your security cameras:
- What do you see as your biggest security threat?
- Is there anything you wish you could have caught on camera in the past year?
- What kind of merchandise do you sell (e.g. groceries, clothing, jewelry, sporting goods)
- More expensive merchandise is more likely to be stolen
- How is your merchandise arranged?
- Where have you had the worst theft problems in the past year?
- Do you feel that your neighborhood and surroundings contribute to your overall security?
Setup Advice for Retail Stores
- Place cameras near entrances and exits in order to get a clear shot of each person who enters your store.
- Surveillance cameras in stock rooms and storage areas can help you prevent employee theft and track your merchandise.
- Small areas where valuable merchandise (e.g. jewelry, electronics) is stored may benefit from a fixed camera
- If your retail store has multiple locations, consider using an NVR (network video recorder) to manage your security footage. NVRs record video like other digital video recorders (DVRs), and they also enable you to broadcast your security footage over the internet and check footage from any of your locations at any time.
- To maximize coverage of your sales floor, consider using different combinations of cameras to get the best view. Dome cameras mounted on the ceiling can give complete coverage of aisles, and a camera mounted above a cash register can give a better view of a shelf of electronics.
- Outdoor cameras in your parking lot can help reduce theft of customer cars, shopping carts, and help to reduce store liability for accidents.