Prevent violent crime at your retail business

If you run a retail business, there are a million things to think about: inventory, taxes, the costs associated with maintaining a physical space, and keeping and paying employees — the list goes on and on. There’s one more item you should add that you may never have thought about: violence.

According to a report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in 2022 retail businesses had almost $100 billion in losses, with organized retail crime (ORC) as a “significant driver.” In a 2023 survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF) 81 percent of respondents said ORC groups had become more violent, and that rates of retail violence were climbing.

WHY YOUR BUSINESS?

Retail establishments are especially vulnerable to criminals looking for a quick score. Thieves favor them because they often offer easy access and keep large sums of cash on hand and often have inadequate security systems, obstructed sightlines, and options for quick getaways. Stores with onsite ATMs are also magnets for criminals. Add to this the late hours kept by businesses such as convenience stores, gas stations, and restaurants, and it’s easy to see why these places are especially attractive to crooks.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

You can’t stop determined criminals, but you can make your business a less tempting target. Our Loss Control Bulletin on Security and Violence in Retail Stores will provide you with a list of recommendations and a retail store safety inspection checklist you can use to make your brick-and-mortar location more secure, and your employees safer from harm.

The information included here was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company and its employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with any training, materials, suggestions, or information provided. It is the user’s responsibility to confirm compliance with any applicable local, state, or federal regulations. Information obtained from or via Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company should not be used as the basis for legal advice and should be confirmed with alternative sources.

4/2024