CCTV Services Provide More Than Just Shrinkage Control

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August 9, 2009

by Ben Sparks

Shrinkage in the retail business is the amount of product that goes out the door without being paid for. Initially, CCTV services were intended to control shrinkage and identify and apprehend shoplifters. The utilization of CCTV services has accomplished that task. Unfortunately, many businesses who utilize CCTV services overlook the other assets of CCTV and only focus on shrinkage control.

With the advent of affordable CCTV, many businesses utilized CCTV to deter shoplifting. These cameras were positioned to monitor the cases and shelves where valuable items were located in the store. This utilization is what most business thinks of when CCTV is mentioned. The deterrent to shoplifting is still a major use of CCTV services and it in itself provides a ROI for the business.

The empty domes or the “dummy” cameras may serve as a deterrent to shrinkage, however a true CCTV system provides numerous other benefits to the owner. CCTV coverage can be used to view and monitor the number of customers entering the store at any time. This data can be used to determine staffing levels on the store floor and the staffing of the store can be adjusted to meet the needs of the customer. Meeting the needs of the customer is a prime objective of any retail store. Providing outstanding customer service meets the needs and results in return sales for the store.

CCTV services also provide the management the opportunity to monitor the movements and actions of the staff in the company. One of the biggest loss areas in any company is employee theft. CCTV services can monitor the staff, providing the opportunity to see who is actually working and who, when times are slow in the business are not working in a productive mode. This semi-covert observation provides the ownership and management an objective way to determine exactly who the valuable employees are.

There is hardly a business in existence today that has not been threatened by a nuisance lawsuit. A customer claims that a slip or fall on a wet floor or on ice outside the business caused them serious injury. It is extraordinarily difficult to prove that the plaintiff is lying about the slip or fall without actual evidence. CCTV services can provide that evidence. The time/date stamp on the video can show that the plaintiff did not slip and fall at the time that they stated they did. This evidence is incontrovertible and highly admissible in a court of law.

CCTV services do provide a measure of shrinkage control, the business owner should not ignore however the additional benefits of CCTV services. The ability to monitor staff and customers, the ability to negate nuisance lawsuits is both valid and in actual use today. CCTV services for a modest investment provide an invaluable asset for any company.

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