Guardforce Post

Retail and shopping mall security is a challenge all over the world, and Thailand is no exception. Threats come from a wide range of angles, from physical shoplifting and theft, vandalism and property damage, employee-related theft and fraud, and organised retail crime (ORC), all the way to everyday health and safety risks (e.g. crowd control, emergencies, etc.). An inability to effectively control these threats impacts reputation, profitability, and even customer and employee safety. In this blog, we will look at addressing modern security risks at retail spaces and shopping malls with hybrid security solutions.

Why do retail spaces and shopping malls present a unique security challenge?

• High foot traffic requiring constant monitoring.
• Multiple entry and exit points increasing vulnerability.
• The need to balance security with a welcoming customer experience, and a smooth flow of customers.
• Diverse security requirements for individual stores, common areas, and parking lots.
• With products on show, the temptation and opportunity for theft is high.
• The layout of retail units and shopping malls often means numerous blind spots.

How to use a hybrid security approach to address these challenges

To address the unique range of modern security challenges faced by retail spaces and shopping malls, most professional security companies in Thailand, such as Guardforce Thailand, would recommend employing a hybrid security approach. The hybrid approach combines traditional manned guarding with electronic security solutions. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

Traditional manned guarding

Trained retail security personnel are important for a visible deterrent. On top of physical patrolling, they are required to handle emergencies and provide customer assistance.

Electronic security solutions

• Smart CCTV systems: AI-powered CCTV for real-time surveillance along with modern video analytics systems can detect theft instantly, trace suspects faster, and can even leverage facial recognition to detect VIPs or blacklisted persons.
• Access control systems: Electronic access control systems are needed for secure entry to sensitive areas, such as storage rooms and management offices.
• IoT device integration: Various IoT sensors are now available to detect unusual activities, such as unauthorized access or package abandonment, fire detection, trespassing detection, etc.
• Alarm systems: These are required to provide real-time alerts for emergencies such as fires, break-ins, or other dangerous situations.

This combination of human expertise and technology is considered the most effective way of monitoring and responding quickly to the modern range of security threats faced by retail spaces and shopping malls both in Thailand and globally. They are also cost-effective as the need for extensive manpower is reduced.

The benefits of hybrid security solutions for retail at a glace

• Improved theft prevention and incident response.
• Enhanced customer safety and satisfaction.
• Reduced operational costs with scalable solutions.
• Detailed analytics for better decision-making (e.g. identifying high-risk zones, and areas with high foot traffic or lingering).
• Enhanced customer experience.

Learn more about Guardforce Thailand’s hybrid security solutions for retail

No sector can stick with the same security model year after year to address ever-evolving threats, and the bricks-and-mortar retail sector also must make adaptations to address its unique range of security challenges. To stay ahead of modern threats, retail spaces and shopping malls must adopt hybrid security solutions. The integration of traditional manned guarding with electronic security solutions allows for the best of both worlds–the physical presence of human security personnel, and the precision and dependability of electronic security solutions. And with the rise of AI and IoT, this bond between humans and tech will become closer and closer, and more and more prevalent in our everyday lives.

To receive a tailored hybrid security solution for your retail space, contact Thailand’s leading security experts Guardforce Thailand here.