Tips from the Karrys Team

Our own experts at Karrys bring you their pointers and guidance for success.  Check back for tips and techniques you can apply in your business.

Convenience Store Security: 16 Tips for Preventing Robberies

Convenience stores have always been tempting targets for armed thieves. This article outlines the security steps that will increase the safety of your employees and reduce theft.

CASH
1) Install a Drop Safe
Install a drop safe and implement cash drop procedures with your employees. Be sure that your employees understand that the procedures are in place to protect them, not just the company’s money.
2) Post Cash-Amount Signage
Advertise to everyone who walks in your store that there’s only $50 or less in your cash register after dark and that the employees don’t have keys to the safe.

EMPLOYEE SECURITY
3) Provide Annual Security Training
Studies have shown that the likelihood of violence is 49% higher when employees resist a robber. Further, when employees become familiar with your existing security measures they are not as likely to participate in "inside" robbery attempts. Look for local security training programs and video resources.

SURVEILLANCE
4) Install Silent Panic and Holdup Alarms
These types of alarms protect your employees in potentially violent robbery situations. Provide proper training on the usage of silent alarms so that employees know how to safely use them.
5) Install Live Surveillance Cameras
Highly visible cameras can have a powerful impact on potential robbers. Having cameras properly aimed at the door and at the register can also provide valuable after-the-fact images.

INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT
6) Remove Signage From Windows
Visibility in and out of a convenience store plays an enormous role on the psychological comfort of the would-be robber. Keep your windows free and clear of any and all signage.
7) Keep Shelves Stacked Moderately
Robbers often have a loitering period before they strike when they are getting comfortable inside a store. If they remain visible to employees then they are less likely to get to a point where they are comfortable robbing you. Further, lower shelves can reduce incidences of shoplifting.
8) Elevate Your Employees
If possible, elevate your employees to provide them with longer-range vision within the store.
9) Have Two Employees on Duty During High-Risk Times
Having more than one employee on duty can reduce the risk of robbery during the most high-risk robbery times.
10) Keep Your Store Neat
Stores that appear dirty and disorganized are robbed more often. Enforce regular cleaning duties that keep employees actively engaged in maintaining the store environment.
11) Post Height Strips at Exits
For post-robbery management put height strips at your stores exit points. This enables employees to better assist law enforcement officers in identifying a robber after a holdup.
12) Invite Police for Regular Visits
Free coffee, free food, even a free place to sit and write up reports - find out what your local police want and give it to them so that they become regular visitors to your convenience store. Stores that are known police hangouts are typically less of considerations for theft.

EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT
13) Remove Pay Phones
When people just "hang out" in front of your store, robbers become more comfortable in loitering and gathering information that could make your store more vulnerable.
14) Post "No Loitering" Signs Outside and Enforce a No Loitering Policy
Get the police involved with loitering reduction. Train employees to call the police if there’s someone hanging around outside the store, especially if they are acting suspiciously.
15) Provide Adequate Lighting
Adequate lighting is shown to reduce incidents of robbery. Be sure that faces in your parking lot are easily visible from the street. Strong, white lighting outside of your convenience store can also make your customers feel safer.
16) Limit Access with Fences and Shrubs
Control getaway paths - especially for robbers who plan to escape by foot. When possible, put up fencing and shrubbery that restricts easy getaway into allies and crowded neighbourhoods surrounding your store.

14 Obstacles to Retail Success

An edited version of an original article by Jerry Robertson, published Feb. 13, 2007.

There are so many things that can prevent a retail store from being successful. We have listed 14 obstacles to retail success. Any one of these can be harmful to your retail business, but it only takes one to be fatal… read more

Planned vs. Impulse Purchases: Which One is the Sales Winner?

In an earlier article we discussed 5 Steps to In-Store Success.  The first step, and perhaps the most important, was:

1: “Know your customer - what were their planned purchases and what were their impulse purchases - track this and find out what influenced their purchase decision when they were in your store so that you can stick to what's working for your loyal customer base.” read more

Display Your Retail Savvy: How to Maximize Impulse Purchases

In our first article, (see below), we identified 5 steps to In-Store Success. Some of our readership has challenged Step #4:

"Ensure that your store is well lit, uncluttered, has a clean look about it and the layout is well designed for In-Store Navigation optimization so that your customer can make his or her way to the counter with relative ease." read more

5 Steps to In-Store Success!

In the Retailers’ quest to improve or enhance the shopping experience and to optimize total store sales, it is important to gain the best understanding on how your customer, the consumer, shops in your store!  After all, knowing your "best customers" shopping behaviour and requirements will allow you to keep them satisfied and coming back for more!

When asked what to recommend to ensure a convenience store has that all-important "appeal" to keep bringing customers back for more, five critical steps for success come to mind: read more