Last year, the National Police Chiefs' Council issued warnings to retailers to consider the security implications associated with the sales surge expected this Black Friday (Friday 25th November).
Originally an American calendar event designed to mark the beginning of the Christmas shopping season, Black Friday promises to be the day when British shoppers hit the shops in order to make the most of the deals on offer. Savvy seasonal bargain hunters can look forward to a day of substantial savings. Likewise, British retailers can expect to reap the financial benefits associated with this annual shopping bonanza – Black Friday cracked the £1bn sales mark for the first time ever in 2015 and total sales over the shopping weekend totalled more than £3bn.
In-store security plans
With the influx of people expected to grace the high-street, Servest is encouraging retailers to prepare accordingly. For those stores taking part in Black Friday, it’s important to consider in-store security plans. Retailers are being encouraged to ensure their security guards are supported by the latest security technology, including alarms, access control, surveillance cameras, and communications systems, in order to cope with the demand this Black Friday.
“Based on last year’s booming |
Creating secure working environment
Jason Etherington, Managing Director of Servest Security, said, “Based on last year’s booming high-street sales figures, we would advise that retailers look at how they have operated on Black Friday in the past. Conducting a thorough risk assessment may help businesses gauge whether the security provision needs to be enhanced ready for this year’s shopping spree.”
“It’s important that retailers ensure they create a safe, secure working environment; not just to protect their employees and goods, but also to safeguard their customers. Hiring additional manpower or investing in temporary CCTV equipment can help in that pursuit.”
