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Sonitrol Commercial Security Blog ... by Joe Wilson

 

  

Essential Tips for Securing Your Retail Store During the Holidays

Posted by Joe Wilson

Dec 19, 2023 8:30:29 AM

As a retail store owner, it’s not the Grinch you need to look out for over the holiday season. It’s theft and vandalism. In fact, last year, about $112B was lost to various types of retail crime, including shoplifting, flash mobs, and organized crime.

With the holiday season comes a surge in foot traffic and opportunity for retail stores (whether the pre-Christmas shopping rush or the following Boxing Day sales), but this also marks a time when security risks escalate. Retail theft, shoplifting and other security breaches can significantly impact your company’s bottom line - and even your reputation.

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Topics: Retail Security

Your Guide to Minimizing Retail Crime in British Columbia

Posted by Joe Wilson

Dec 15, 2023 11:43:00 AM

A group of more than 30 British Columbia retailers, trade associations and other groups is calling for immediate government action on theft, vandalism and violent crime, which its members say have reached "epidemic proportions'' across the province.

That’s according to a new article from CBC News, which said the coalition wants all levels of government to work together to address what it calls a crime "crisis'' in retail settings.

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Topics: Retail Security

17 Top Business Security Tips for the Holiday Season

Posted by Joe Wilson

Dec 1, 2023 9:00:00 AM

As the holiday season approaches, businesses often find themselves bustling with activity. 

The increased foot traffic, extended business hours, and valuable inventory make businesses more susceptible to security risks during this time. Implementing robust security measures can safeguard your premises, employees, and assets.

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Topics: Retail Security

10 Ways to Mitigate the Risk of Refund Theft in Your Business

Posted by Joe Wilson

Feb 23, 2023 9:49:07 AM

Businesses are always at risk of theft. One common form of theft that often goes unnoticed is refund fraud - when an employee or an outsider can manipulate the system to issue fake refunds, causing significant financial losses to the company. 

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Topics: Retail Security

What is Organized Retail Crime and How To Prevent it

Posted by Joe Wilson

Oct 28, 2022 11:22:14 AM

In 2020, there were approximately 90,900 incidents of shoplifting under $5,000. While this is a substantial decrease from previous years, it is still an incredibly high number. Not to mention, the decrease is believed to be because many stores were closed and so much time was spent at home through the pandemic.

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Topics: Retail Security

How to Recognize a Shoplifter and Better Secure Your Business

Posted by Joe Wilson

Jun 6, 2022 9:00:00 AM

Shoplifting is a major issue in Western Canada. Even with the decrease in shoplifting in 2020, there were 90,904 police reported incidents of shoplifting under $5,000. Of those, 20,791 were in Alberta and 20,005 were in British Columbia. Manitoba and Saskatchewan had significantly less but still in the thousands at 7,447 and 3,103, respectively.

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Topics: Retail Security, Pharmacy and Drug Store Security

Do Motion Sensor Devices & Lights Really Stop Crime?

Posted by Joe Wilson

May 5, 2022 8:31:00 AM

If you have a business that’s closed in the evenings, you may have considered motion sensor lights to help boost your security. The question is, do these lights really work?

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Topics: Retail Security, Professional Office Seccurity

Edmonton Retail Crime Is Rising: Here’s How to Protect Your Business

Posted by Joe Wilson

Mar 10, 2022 9:31:36 AM

Shoplifting, property damage, smash and grabs and other crimes are on the rise in Edmonton. It has gotten so bad that downtown business owners are locking doors to control who comes in and reducing opening hours. 

Now more than ever, retail stores in Edmonton need to ensure they have a robust security solution in place.

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Topics: Verified Video Surveillance, Retail Security

How to Protect Your Retail Store From After-Hour Crime

Posted by Joe Wilson

Feb 10, 2022 10:31:39 AM

Last month, $40,000 in inventory was stolen from a wig shop in Vancouver. That very same shop was also robbed twice in 2020. 

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Topics: Retail Security

How Vancouver Bicycle Retailers Can Protect Their Stores From Theft

Posted by Joe Wilson

Sep 27, 2021 8:34:45 AM

Despite a focused effort by local law enforcement to reduce thefts, Vancouver continues to have the highest rate of bicycle theft per capita out of any major city in Canada, according to data compiled by CBC News.

It shows just how important effective security solutions are for Vancouver-based bicycle retailers.

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Topics: Retail Security

How to Protect Your Retail Store From Shoplifting

Posted by Joe Wilson

Aug 31, 2021 8:46:00 AM

There are ongoing reports of crime being down in Canada this past year. While that may be true on average for the country and provinces, some areas are seeing increases. 

One example is Vancouver, which saw a 260% increase in shoplifting involving a weapon in 2020 compared to 2019. And as restrictions are further reduced and more customers are allowed to be in stores at a time, it may become more difficult to monitor and reduce shoplifting, even in areas where there have been strong declines. 

So what can you do as a business owner to enhance retail security and better protect your staff and customers? Here are four tips for detecting and deterring shoplifters.

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Topics: Retail Security

16 Ways to Boost Retail Commercial Security and Prevent Crime

Posted by Joe Wilson

Jul 5, 2021 11:06:12 AM

Preventing thefts in your retail store can be an entire job on its own, and with shoplifting on the rise securing your retail store is even more important. 

In 2019 there were 140,286 reported shoplifting incidents under $5,000 in Canada (this is compared to 99,907 in 2015).  And Western Canada accounted for more than 50 percent of these incidents. 

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Topics: Retail Security

Survey Reveals Rise in Vandalism and Retail Break-ins During the Pandemic

Posted by Joe Wilson

Mar 3, 2021 8:47:05 AM

A few months back, Vancity released a survey of the downtown strips in Victoria, Vancouver, Surrey and Kamloops. The results showed an increase in vandalism and retail break-ins and that retail businesses are greatly concerned about rising crime on the street.

You might think this goes against the lock-downs, and you are right that ‘feet on the street’ numbers are way down. In fact, Government Street in Victoria had one million fewer visits to the retail block but still retailers said their main concern was crime and safety.

If you are in this situation we understand the situation. Not only are retailers dealing with loss of revenue because of limited hours, closed locations, and other pandemic effects - but the pandemic has introduced more security issues. Closed stores, less people around, especially at night, has made store fronts vulnerable.

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Topics: Retail Security

Tips to Help Boost Your Retail Store Security

Posted by Joe Wilson

Dec 3, 2020 11:49:00 AM

Retailers are well aware of how costly and time consuming it is to manage loss prevention including: loss of inventory because of employee theft, customer theft, organized crime, counting errors, and damaged goods. The average retail chain owner spends 2% of sales dollars on loss prevention.

Sonitrol Western Canada, can help solve these retail security problems with a security solution custom designed for retailers focused on reducing theft, break and enter, and armed robbery.

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Topics: Retail Security

5 Top Tips to Keep Your Western Canada Retail Store Secure From Crime

Posted by Joe Wilson

Sep 7, 2020 12:25:00 PM

As a retail store owner or manager, finding ways to improve the customer experience, open up new revenue streams and introduce new products are all important for the ongoing success of your business.

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Topics: Retail Security

Security Tips: Protecting Your Business From Crime While It’s Closed

Posted by Joe Wilson

Mar 30, 2020 12:22:00 PM

Current events regarding COVID-19 have led to an increase in business closures and more teams working remotely. That means a business security solution is more important than ever before. 

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Topics: Retail Security, Small Business Security, Office Building Security, Government Building Security, Restaurant Security

How to Protect Your Liquor Store From Brazen Alcohol Theft

Posted by Joe Wilson

Mar 3, 2020 11:00:00 AM

A proper security solution is essential for any business across Western Canada, but perhaps none more so than liquor stores based in Alberta. That’s because over the past year there has been a huge spike in alcohol theft across the province.

The AGLC - the Government of Alberta’s Crown commercial enterprise and agency that oversees the liquor industry in the province - has released a statement warning liquor licensees of an increase in “brazen” liquor thefts in Alberta.

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Topics: Retail Security

How Good is Your Retail Store Security?

Posted by Joe Wilson

Dec 19, 2019 9:02:00 AM

Retail sales are set to boom as we move into the festive holiday season, but are you protecting your profits with a robust retail store security solution? Unfortunately, many retail store owners are not.

That’s why shoplifting accounts for up to $5 billion a year in losses for Canadian retailers, according to a 2018 estimate from the Retail Council of Canada.

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Topics: Retail Security

10 Tips That Will Help Retailers Minimize Crime This Holiday Season

Posted by Joe Wilson

Sep 30, 2019 11:00:00 AM

In just a few weeks, we will be getting into the swing of the holiday season. Upcoming events include Thanksgiving, Diwali, Halloween, Singles’ Day, Black Friday, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and each of these will involve some combination of family meals, décor, gift exchanging and dressing to the nines.

As a retailer, this means more business and increased cash flow. However, it also means an increased risk for retail theft and other criminal acts - both internally and externally.

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Topics: Retail Security

With Shoplifting on the Rise in Alberta, How Can I Secure My Retail Store?

Posted by Joe Wilson

Aug 23, 2019 11:00:00 AM

Do you own a retail business in Alberta? If so, you’ll probably know just how important it is to implement a security plan that properly protects your assets, your employees and your livelihood from theft.

This is even more important after new figures from Statistics Canada found a surge in shoplifting in Calgary - part of a growing trend across Alberta and Canada as a whole. In fact, shoplifting was largely responsible for Calgary’s growing crime rate last year.

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Topics: Retail Security

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Joe Wilson, Owner of Sonitrol Western Canada

We provide our customers with the best commercial security solutions and quality service backed by our unique Guarantee and Commitment to Service. It's something unverified conventional alarm companies simply cannot guarantee!


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