Retail Trends in the U.S.
What is in store for security
Retail is without a doubt one of the most challenging environments for security and safety. Large numbers of people, employees and merchandise with continuous motion – often both day and night -- make for a lot of moving pieces to track and protect. It is difficult in even the best of times, but it takes on a whole new meaning in an economic downturn when people and employees are under greater stress and crime tends to naturally increase.
In an effort to meet security challenges, retail loss prevention professionals have increasingly turned to new tools and technologies. Alarm systems, surveillance cameras and access control cards have become an expected part of the landscape. A recent survey conducted by National Analyst for ADT Security Services showed that more that 93 percent of the surveyed top 250 global retailers operating in the United States have monitored security systems and among all U.S. retailers 83 percent have monitored systems.
The results of recessionary times, including layoffs and store closings, go hand-in-hand with budget cuts. Surprisingly enough, despite one of the most severe recessions since the depression in the first half of the last century, the ADT retail survey of 334 U.S. retailers showed that more than 93 percent expect their security spending to remain the same or increase over the next three years. Almost 50 percent of U.S. department stores expect to increase their security budgets and more than 39 percent of food and discount retailers anticipate an increase.
U.S. retailers anticipating spending to remain the same or increase
| Total | 93% |
| Specialty hard goods | 97% |
| DIY/Hardware | 94% |
| Food | 91% |
| Department | 90% |
| Discount | 89% |
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