For business owners like you, the threat of theft is an unfortunate reality. No business is immune. According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP), more than $13 billion worth of goods are stolen from retailers across the United States each year.
The immediate aftermath of a break-in or theft can be traumatic, but the time and financial cost as you recover may be the most difficult part. In addition to losing potentially irreplaceable items, you could experience disruptions in daily processes, delays in fulfilling customer orders, and negative impacts to your business’s reputation.
Fortunately, theft prevention is feasible through employee training, proper processes, the right technology, and a proactive mindset. Consider adapting the following list of tactics to help you prevent theft at your greenhouse or garden center:
It's important to share theft prevention and response guidelines with your staff so they’re informed and confident. Your staff is your business’s front line to preventing theft.
Take inventory of your lights and video cameras, and add more if you identify vulnerable areas throughout your facility.
Increase the degree of difficulty for prospective thieves to steal equipment, no matter where it’s located.
The Agricultural Crime Technology Information and Operations Network also suggests engraving owner-applied numbers to your equipment in a hidden spot with metal punches or brands to increase the likelihood of stolen property being identified and returned.
Cash registers, safe deposit boxes, wooden boxes…whatever your cash intake system is, establish a cash removal process.
While you can’t predict when any individual attempt may occur, you can prepare for the possibility of theft in a general way. Commercial property insurance can help alleviate the worry of “what if” and help protect your greenhouse or garden center’s physical assets.
Review your current policy to make sure your business and inventory are covered. If you have questions or would like to learn more about our commercial property coverages, contact us. We’re here to help keep your horticulture business safe.
You can reduce your workplace risks by cleaning up your property, inspecting your equipment, and reviewing your safety procedures. Learn more tips here.
If you experience a covered loss, follow these five tips when reporting your claim to help get your claim started, processed, and resolved more quickly.
Any business that relies on technology should be prepared for cyberattacks. This guide provides details about common types of cybercrime and how you can help prevent them.
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