With retail footfall vastly increasing over the next few weeks in the run-up to Christmas and the January sales, now is the time for businesses to get prepared. With a sharp rise in the number of shoppers comes an increased risk of theft and a spike in anti-social behaviour. Understandably, demand for security guards goes through the roof at this time of year.

The good news is, it’s not too late to implement enhanced levels of security and ensure you’re ready for this busy period. Bringing in extra resource, tweaking your existing security strategy and optimising your current set-up with a few important changes can ensure you’re well protected, and ready to maximise sales safely. Here are our top three tips to get prepared:

1. Hire seasonal security staff
Many businesses hire additional security guards at this time of year, and for good reason. More customers equals more work for staff, so bringing in additional security guards allows retailers to focus on their roles and maintain high levels of customer service. Hiring seasonal cover is a great option for busy periods like Black Friday, when the spike in footfall is temporary but significant, and often involves building in elements of crowd control.

2. Adapt your current security strategy
Utilising your existing security provision more effectively is another prudent measure to take when footfall increases, and the beauty of Christmas and January sales is that both are in the calendar well in advance. Taking time to adapt current provision could mean, for example, extending hours of cover or moving resource from one area to another during peak times. In shops, high-risk areas include toilets and changing rooms, so having a seasonal strategy in place pays dividends.

3. Equip retail staff with security training
Having professional, trained security guards in place is vital, but don’t underestimate the power of a security-conscious workforce. Training retail staff to be especially mindful of security measures at this time of the year – including how to report suspicious activity – means more eyes looking out for any concerns. Ultimately, that means a more effective response and a better outcome for everyone.

At GUK we’re experienced in providing security cover and training for seasonal peaks, and our staff members are equipped to manage these situations. We also have extra staff on-hand to provide additional support to our clients, so get in touch to find out how we can help you.