Holiday Rush Retail Security: Protecting Your Business from Theft

Why Do Retailers Need Extra Security During the Holidays?

The holiday season creates perfect conditions for retail theft. Shoplifting spikes during the holiday season, with incidents rising by 40% in December alone. Three key factors drive this increase:

• Crowded stores make it harder for staff to monitor suspicious behavior
• Seasonal employees lack security training and familiarity with theft prevention protocols
• Extended hours stretch security resources thin across longer operating periods

How Much Money Do Retailers Lose to Holiday Theft?

Stores lost an estimated $45.0 billion to retail theft in 2024. The financial impact affects businesses of all sizes, from small boutiques to major chains. Beyond stolen merchandise, retailers face additional costs, including:

• Increased insurance premiums
• Security system upgrades
• Employee training programs
• Lost productivity from theft investigations

Small businesses are particularly vulnerable. 74.8% of brick-and-mortar small businesses say they experience shoplifting monthly; 52.7% report shoplifting weekly or more frequently.

What Is Organized Retail Crime?

Organized retail crime involves coordinated groups stealing merchandise for resale on secondary markets. Unlike individual shoplifters, these groups operate with sophisticated tactics, including:

• Multiple participants who distract employees while others steal
• Predetermined targets focusing on high-value, easily resold items
• Quick execution designed to overwhelm store security
• Resale networks that move stolen goods quickly through online platforms

More than half of retailers surveyed reported increases in shoplifting and merchandise theft (52%) being conducted by ORC groups over the past 12 months. This makes comprehensive commercial security systems essential for protection.

How Do Security Cameras Prevent Retail Theft?

Security cameras serve as both deterrents and documentation tools. General Security installs high-definition cameras that provide:

Strategic Coverage: Cameras monitor entrances, exits, point-of-sale areas, stockrooms, and parking lots — the locations where theft most commonly occurs.

Motion Detection: Advanced sensors trigger alerts when unusual activity is detected, allowing business owners to respond immediately through the Alarm.com mobile app.

Video Analytics: General Security's Alarm.com partnership provides Business Activity Analytics that count people, map customer movement patterns, and detect crowd formations that may indicate individual or organized retail crime.

Remote Access: Business owners can view live footage and review recorded events from any smartphone, tablet, or computer, which is critical during busy holiday periods when you cannot always be on-site.

Evidence Collection: High-definition video provides clear documentation for law enforcement investigations and insurance claims when theft occurs.

What Is Access Control and Why Do Retailers Need It?

Access control systems regulate who can enter restricted areas of your business. During the holiday season, when retailers hire temporary staff, these systems become critical for preventing internal theft.

General Security's access control solutions include:

• Keycard entry systems that track exactly who accessed stockrooms and when
• Personalized access levels allowing managers full access while restricting seasonal employees
• Automated activity logs showing arrival times, departure times, and area access patterns
• Remote management through your phone or tablet to grant or revoke access instantly
• Intercom entrance systems with two-way video for after-hours access verification

These systems prevent the most common internal theft scenarios: unauthorized access to storage areas, after-hours building entry, and merchandise removal without documentation.

How Does 24/7 Central Station Monitoring Work?

General Security owns its Central Station Monitoring Center, providing priority response when alarms trigger. Here's what can happen during a security event:

1. Sensor activation: Contact sensors, motion detectors, or cameras detect unauthorized activity
2. Immediate alert: The system sends signals to the monitoring center within seconds
3. Professional verification: Trained operators assess the situation by contacting the appropriate parties and using live camera feeds
4. Authority notification: Local police or first responders are contacted immediately
5. Owner alert: Business owners can receive real-time notifications from the monitoring center via phone call, text message, email, and through the Alarm.com mobile app.

This process happens 24/7, including holidays, weekends, and after-hours when your store is most vulnerable.

Can Security Systems Track Employee Productivity?

Yes. General Security's Business Activity Analytics transform video surveillance into business intelligence tools. Retailers gain insights, including:

Employee Activity Tracking:

• Arrival and departure times
• Time spent in different store areas
• Customer interaction patterns
• Register transaction timing

Customer Traffic Analysis:

• Peak shopping hours
• Store section popularity through heat mapping
• Average customer dwell time
• Checkout queue lengths

Operational Efficiency:

• Stockroom access frequency
• Delivery and receiving patterns
• Multi-location performance comparisons
• Automated weekly or monthly reports

These analytics help retailers optimize staffing schedules, identify training needs, and improve overall operational efficiency during the demanding holiday season.

How Can Retailers Control Security Systems Remotely?

The Alarm.com mobile app provides complete remote control of all security components. Business owners manage:

Security Functions:

• View live camera feeds from all locations
• Lock or unlock doors remotely
• Arm or disarm alarm systems
• Receive instant alerts for any triggered sensors
• Program automated lighting schedules

Business Insights:

• Review video footage using customized timelines
• Access Business Activity Analytics reports
• Track employee access patterns
• Monitor multiple locations from a single interface

This remote capability lets you respond to security events immediately, even during family gatherings or while traveling for the holidays.

What Should Retailers Do to Prepare for Holiday Security Challenges?

Implement these essential steps before peak shopping season:

Assessment and Planning:

• Contact General Security for a free on-site facility review
• Identify vulnerable areas, including blind spots, after-hours entry points, and high-value merchandise locations
• Determine optimal camera placement for comprehensive coverage

System Installation:

• Install high-definition security cameras at all critical locations
• Implement keycard access control for stockrooms and storage areas
• Activate 24/7 Central Station Monitoring for immediate incident response

Staff Training:

• Educate employees about security protocols and suspicious behavior indicators
• Establish clear procedures for handling potential theft situations safely
• Train seasonal staff on access control systems and restricted area policies

Protect Your Business This Holiday Season

General Security delivers customized commercial security systems designed specifically for retail businesses. Every system is tailored to your specific needs based on comprehensive facility reviews. Professional-grade equipment, encrypted connections, and expert support available 24/7 ensure your business remains protected throughout the holiday rush and beyond.