Retail security video surveillance: Smarter protection for your store

Preventing theft and inventory shrinkage is crucial for retail and grocery stores already challenged by razor-thin margins and a turbulent economic landscape. More and more business owners like you are leveraging retail security video surveillance to protect employees, customers, inventory, and financial health. 

In this blog, we’ll dive into retail security video surveillance, its key benefits, and practical strategies for choosing a system — and a reliable security partner — for your business. 

Why retail security video surveillance is essential

In the past, immobile cameras captured grainy footage that security personnel reviewed in the aftermath of a theft or break-in. Video surveillance today encapsulates a variety of powerful features that work together to prevent crime and improve safety. 

Here are the major benefits retail and grocery stores gain by adding video surveillance:

Theft prevention 

The presence of visible security cameras conveys a simple message: If you steal, we will see you. That alone stops potential theft and burglary attempts. 

In addition, modern cameras equipped with AI-enhanced prevention capabilities can detect unusual patterns of activity and behavior, enabling store personnel to intervene in advance of a possible theft. Lastly, live monitoring adds a layer of real-time security via monitoring agents trained to react quickly to any security issue.

Shrinkage control

Shoplifting, employee theft, vendor fraud, and operational inefficiency all contribute to shrinkage, the loss of products due to causes other than sales. Video surveillance reduces shrinkage by deterring theft, improving accountability, and optimizing security protocols, which together help mitigate its impact on retail and grocery stores. 

Incident review

In the event of a security breach, you can review and share with authorities detailed footage captured by video surveillance. It also provides stores with actionable knowledge they can use to address security vulnerabilities.  

Liability protection

Often, theft and vandalism costs retail and grocery stores more than the price of what was stolen. The process of alerting the authorities and dealing with insurance is time-consuming. It redirects valuable resources away from business growth and improving shopper experience. Video surveillance provides documentation that protects business owners from false claims and expedites insurance claims and legal procedures.

Top features to look for in retail video surveillance systems

Video surveillance technology features a wide range of powerful tools and capabilities. 

Here are security solutions you should consider when choosing a video system for your business:  

High-resolution footage

The quality of your surveillance footage depends on image resolution. Security cameras offer a range of high-definition options, from the standard 1080p up to 4K. A higher image resolution provides clearer, detailed video and enables more advanced features such as facial recognition and low-light performance. 

Remote access

Business owners can manage their security system from anywhere via a mobile app. With remote access, a security team can monitor activity, review footage, and adjust settings instantly from any location. 

Cloud storage

Managing video storage is a headache when you’re worried about space or stressed about cost. Cloud storage is popular because it offers flexible storage options, can scale to the needs of any business, and adds data backup and security automation. 

Smart motion detection

Smart motion detection takes motion detection to a higher level by incorporating AI and deep learning algorithms that can distinguish movements and filter out non-threats such as animals and cars. This helps minimize false alarms and improve the overall efficiency of your surveillance system.  

Best camera placement for retail and grocery environments 

Strategic camera placement is essential to maximize what your equipment does best and ensure video coverage over your important business spaces, both indoors and outdoors. 

Don’t forget about these areas when installing your retail security video surveillance system: 

• Entrances/exits: Main entrances and exits are the busiest areas for customer foot traffic. They require comprehensive video coverage to adequately monitor activity going in and out of the store. 
• Cash registers and check out areas: A great deal of shoplifting takes place in the check out area, including self-checkout scamming and item concealment. Visible cameras can prevent common theft practices and catch shoplifters in the act. 
• Stockrooms: Ambitious thieves and self-serving employees will target stockrooms with valuable inventory if they aren’t closely monitored. 
• Aisles: Potential shoplifters look for items to easily grab and conceal in aisles that are not monitored. 
• Parking lots: Security incidents often happen in parking lots, especially late at night when it’s dark and the area is empty. Video surveillance protects your employees and customers and improves the overall safety environment.
• Back-of-house offices: Retail and grocery store offices can contain cash, valuable data, personal property, and business equipment and you should safeguard it. 

The role of CCTV in preventing shoplifting and employee theft

A closed-circuit television (CCTV) system is a type of video surveillance that transmits video signals on a closed, private network so footage can only be viewed and accessed on internal monitors. A  CCTV surveillance system utilizes visible cameras to create a deterrence effect that prevents shoplifting and employee theft. Cameras remind customers and employees of a strong surveillance presence, increasing the perceived risks of being caught while attempting to steal.  

CCTV surveillance establishes a sense of accountability that helps reduce retail violence and aids in the assessment and resolution of security incidents. 

How to choose the right retail video surveillance provider

The right security partner will support you through the entire process of choosing, installing, and implementing a high-quality video surveillance system. They will also ensure the system fits your exact business needs and budget. 

The wrong security partner? They sell you equipment you don’t need and services you don’t want at prices you can’t afford. 

Here are some tips for how to choose a security provider you can trust. Focus on three simple factors when choosing a provider to help protect your retail business:

Reputation

A provider’s reputation will tell you a lot about their standing in the industry and in the community. A company’s reputation is built on a variety of factors, including knowledge and expertise, work quality, customer support and satisfaction, range of services, responsiveness, and cost. Be sure to research providers and find out how well they do in the above categories. 

Experience

Experience matters. Providers with an established track record of satisfied customers have proven they deliver technical expertise and high-quality service in the communities they serve. Experienced providers have successfully implemented systems in a wide range of business settings and environments. 

Quality of technology

Security technology evolves fast. Any provider you choose should keep up with the latest developments. They must offer the latest solutions for your business if that’s what will make your store safer. 

Bay Alarm’s retail security video surveillance solutions

Bay Alarm has been protecting local businesses for over 75 years with a commitment to superior service and customer satisfaction. We provide retail and grocery stores with a full range of security services that improve safety, responsiveness, and efficiency throughout the operation. 

Whether you are curious about what video security best fits your business, want a 24/7 live video monitoring option, are looking to integrate your video system with burglar or fire alarms, get on-site security agent support, or more, Bay Alarm has you covered.