By
in
You’re in retail, and you’re trying to see where you can cut costs. Can we simplify the décor in the shop window, and still entice people to come in? Perhaps the floor plan is too large for our merchandise, and we can rent out 1/3 of our space? And truly, do we really need a private security guard manning our front door, or perusing the aisles on watch duty? Why can’t we just call the cops if something happens?
Sure, you can just call the cops. The problem is they just might get there too late to catch the perpetrator, or even to speak with any remaining witnesses. You won’t have anyone to file a complaint against initially. Even if you have effective cameras installed, and live witnesses providing testimony, it takes time to catch the thief, if it’s even possible.
Can you risk the scenario of a thief getting away with stealing? To weigh your options, here is a list of costs incurred from a retail theft:
1. Cost of the item(s)
2. Cost of time calling the cops and dealing with the immediate situation
3. Cost of filing a complaint after the fact.
4. Cost of repeated offences. Maybe you can afford to lose one item, but if you’re seen as an easy target, you’ll be a repeat target.
A private security guard changes this whole dynamic. Not hiring a private security guard can take you away from your goal, which is to do as much retail business as possible. Just having a guard present serves as a deterrent, discouraging thieves from entering your store in the first place. If perpetrators do come in your store, a surveying private security guard – trained to keep an eye out for suspicious activity – serves to catch thieves in their tracks, if not make them think twice from the outset.
So yes, you can just call the cops as a potential cost saving measure. Chances are, though, that when you look at the big picture, it will actually cost you less to hire a private security guard. Don’t just think of the bottom line expenses today, think of the bottom line losses which might occur if forgoing the expense of a private security guard.
