There’s never been a better time to enhance your liquor store’s security. Over the past year, retailers have reported a 93% increase in shoplifting incidents — resulting in $1.52 trillion in losses.
And unfortunately, small businesses like yours feel these losses more deeply and find it more difficult to recover than big-box stores.
That’s why we’ve created this quick guide to keeping your liquor store safe and your profits high.
Before we cover how to keep your liquor store safe, there’s a critical question we have to answer: What are we keeping it safe from?
Let’s look at the four most common causes of liquor store shrinkage:
So, how can you protect your liquor store against these all-too-common problems? Here are seven simple but effective strategies you can implement.
Our number-one tip is to improve your liquor inventory management approach.
Without knowing exactly what’s on your shelves and in your stockroom, it’s hard to spot when bottles go missing. This inaccurate inventory tracking opens the door to significant theft or breakage-related losses.
We recommend investing in a point of sale (POS) system with powerful inventory tracking features. This tool monitors every bottle in your store from the moment it arrives to the minute a customer purchases it.
This real-time overview of your stock levels makes it easy to perform quick inventory counts, spot discrepancies, and take early action to protect your bottom line.
Your team is the face of your liquor store and your first line of defense against shrinkage, but they need proper training to protect your business.
Here are some key topics to cover in regular staff-wide training sessions:
Giving your team the right tools and information will equip them to keep themselves, your customers, and your liquor store safe.
Want to let thieves know that you take your liquor store’s security seriously? Security cameras are a great way to communicate this message.
Cameras serve as a deterrent against would-be shoplifters and provide valuable evidence if a crime occurs in your store.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can install a combination of real and decoy security cameras to save money while warning criminals.
Pro tip: Some POS systems, like Bottle POS, integrate with security cameras, allowing you to watch over your business even when you’re away.
Shoplifters thrive in dark, hidden corners — which is why refreshing your liquor store layout can frustrate and confuse them.
Arrange your shelving to minimize blind spots, and ensure your lighting is bright but comfortable in every area of your store. If you notice higher rates of theft for particular bottles, place these products near the front of your store, right next to your checkout counter to deter thieves from swiping them.
As a bonus, a well-designed layout improves your honest customers’ experience, helping them explore your store and find their favorite spirits hassle-free.
Stolen mini bottles might not make a major dent in your profits, but luxury tequilas or vintage wines will.
Taking extra precautions, like cages or locked bottle caps, for your most valuable bottles protects them against theft and breakage.
Related Read: How To Protect Your Business With Liquor Store Security Strategies
Employee theft is a sad but true reality for some retailers, but the right technology can give you peace of mind.
Look for a POS system with employee access control and activity monitoring. This lets you set unique permissions for your team members based on their role, ensuring they only access the tools and data they need to perform their jobs.
For example, you can require them to get permission before issuing refunds, opening your cash drawer, or manually applying discounts.
Finally, let’s talk about how to keep your liquor store safe from vendor error and inventory replenishment mistakes.
The best way is to rely on your POS system to manage your restocking process. Systems like Bottle POS include automated purchase orders and receiving.
These features detect when you’re running low on your bestselling liquors and automatically generate a purchase order to replace them. Once the new shipment arrives at your store, your system will automatically update your inventory records, saving time and making it easier to spot discrepancies.
Ready to put these strategies to work? We can help.
Bottle POS is an all-in-one POS solution specifically designed to help liquor store owners like you tackle challenges like inventory management, security, marketing, and profitability. With our software, you’ll have access to must-have tools like:
Ready to see how these features can protect and boost your bottom line? Schedule your live demo of Bottle POS today to see it in action.