Some security measures can inadvertently cause retailers to disrupt the very shopping experience they’re trying to create.
At a time when finding the right balance between keeping products secure and giving customers a great shopping experience is more important than ever, understanding tricks of the trade such as clever visual merchandising can become the difference between capturing a sale, or causing a walkout.
Let’s explore how visual merchandising can enhance both security and customer satisfaction. We’ll also look at how Vitag’s technology range supports security operations for New Zealand businesses, including the latest InVue lock solutions.
The Growing Problem: Theft and Its Effects on Retail
Retail theft is increasing and causing major problems for stores. Findings from the NZ Police Minister show retail crime had increased by 39 percent in 2022 compared to 2021. This not only impacts store profitability but can also limit access for loyal customers as retailers are forced to increase their security measures, highlighting the severity of the theft issue. Retail crime costs New Zealand retailers $1 billion each year, a figure that’s steadily rising.
Traditional Security Measures: Are They Effective?
Though many retailers want to give a modern and frictionless customer experience, many are still resorting to traditional security methods like locking up high-value display stock. Strategies like this not only create a frustrating shopping experience for customers but they also slow down the sales process. The unintended consequence is that potential buyers can walk out, exacerbating the financial strain on stores caused by theft.
Locked cases and security chains can deter thieves, but they also create a barrier to shoppers’ purchasing by making it difficult for them to interact with display items. Additionally, low-cost retail security solutions are often not aesthetically pleasing and can frequently break, further hindering the shopping experience when they fail to work as intended. This can lead to unhappy customers and potentially drive them away.
Effects of Poor Visual Merchandising
We know visual merchandising involves displaying products to make shopping easy and enjoyable. Done well it can boost overall sales by making displays attractive, engaging, and easy to shop, but when done poorly it can negatively affect the shopping experience and even increase theft.
How Poor Merchandising Increases Theft:
A poorly merchandised store is an instant target for shoplifters, and also for theft by less honest employees. Stand back and make an honest assessment of your store environment – can you see any of the following that may be impacting your shrinkage?
- Hidden Products: Cluttered displays create blind spots, making it harder for staff to spot missing items or theft. A clean, organized layout reduces these risks.
- Lack of Security: Without proper security measures, items become easy targets. Unsecured products and faulty security devices leave goods exposed to theft.
- Hard-to-Monitor Areas: Poor store design with limited visibility allows thieves to exploit blind spots, making it harder for staff to oversee all areas effectively.
Smart
Visual Merchandising Techniques to Reduce Theft:
A well-designed layout should allow staff to monitor the entire store effectively. Visual merchandising isn’t just about making your store look good—it’s also a powerful tool for managing and eliminating shoplifting. Here are some smart techniques to consider:
● Designing High-Visibility Areas: Place high-value items in areas that are easy for your team to see and well-lit. This makes it harder for thieves to act without being noticed and helps staff keep an eye on at-risk products.
● Creating Interactive Displays: Use displays that encourage customers to touch and try out products. When customers are actively engaging with merchandise and interacting with sales assistants who can advise them, there’s less chance for theft to occur unnoticed. Allowing this level of interaction will also improve sales.
● Using Fixtures with Built-In Security: Try adding security features right into your displays. Heavy, obvious security setups can make customers nervous, and worried they might accidentally trigger alarms. Instead, go for display cases with subtle built-in electronic tags or locking mechanisms. These keep items safe but still let customers engage with them comfortably.
● Maintaining Clear Sight Lines: Keep your store layout open and uncluttered. Create ‘zones’ for each of your team to work in where they have defined lines of sight from their station. This not only improves the shopping experience and customer service but also reduces the number of hidden spots where theft could happen.
How Vitag’s Partnership with InVue Provides Solutions that Make a Difference
Vitag partners with global technology experts InVue, whose products are designed to enhance both security and visual merchandising. Here’s how they can help:
● Stylish and Functional Design: Invite your customers to freely interact and experience products. For instance, the InVue OnePOD system for electronics, and InVue Zips for general merchandise, blend seamlessly with store decor. Systems like these maintain a sleek and modern look while keeping products secure. Their design ensures that security measures don’t detract from the store’s overall appearance.
● Display Monitoring with OneKEY: The OneKEY system stores data on which key, designated to each team member, accessed which locks and when. That way if items go missing from secure displays or if internal theft is suspected, access data can be checked.
● Mobile POS Solutions: For ultimate service, InVue’s mobile POS solutions allow store staff to process a full transaction on the shop floor, providing the ultimate in efficient customer service and exceptional customer experience. This also helps to cut congestion at till points during busy times.
● Use Smart Locks for efficiency: Smart Locks for displays, cages, cabinets, and drawers give you fast access to merchandise. In the future you will also have the option to grant customer access or create a self-service experience, enabling your customers access to locked cabinets via their own device.
Looking Ahead
Smart visual merchandising is essential for successful modern retail security. By creating well-designed layouts, using appealing displays, and incorporating advanced security features, retailers can cut down on theft while still delivering a great customer experience. In today’s competitive retail world, adopting strategies like these is a key piece of the puzzle to ensure your stores thrive and your staff stay safe.
Enhance the look of your store without compromising security – contact us today to learn more about how our merchandise security systems and retail security expertise can transform your environment, and support your bottom line.