Retail Security: Black Friday with Blackbird Security

Black Friday 2024 weekend is coming up fast. Is your business prepared? Large sales reliably bring massive crowds to retail stores in Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, and other major cities across Canada. With crowds often comes chaos, disorder, and sometimes theft, vandalism, and disputes between customers and staff. However, with the right retail security strategy, businesses can mitigate and eliminate these harmful risks. In this blog, we’ll discuss how Blackbird Security’s Black Friday retail security strategy differs from competitors and stands out as a top-tier service during this period.

The Blackbird Difference: All Hands on Deck on Black Friday

During the high-stakes Black Friday weekend, most security companies rely on site supervisors to oversee security guards during Black Friday. However, we believe critical times call for maximum care. At Blackbird Security, not only are our site supervisors on site, but our owners, regional managers, and district managers are present at multiple sites throughout the day. 

These high-level leadership personnel perform live quality control with security guards throughout the day, ensuring optimal performance on-site during Black Friday. Managers and owners can provide a more thorough approach to feedback and performance analysis, which makes sure our guards are performing to company quality standards. 

Retail Site Supervision: What We Look For on Black Friday

When on site, our manager staff look for the following key performance indicators from our security personnel. 

1. Guard Stations

While busy stores and security incidents can sometimes draw guards away from their assigned posts as they respond, it’s important that security guard stations remain attended in order to ensure smooth operations. Uniformed security guards or tactical security guards should be stationed at key locations such as store entrances, in areas with expensive merchandise such as electronics sections, near customer lineups, and around cashier counters. 

2. Customer Service

At Blackbird Security, customer service is one of our top priorities. Tensions can frequently run high on busy sales days, and a friendly greeting can go a long way in providing an enjoyable atmosphere. We monitor guards to ensure our security guards are greeting customers as they enter the store.

3. Vigilance and Blind Spots

Store layouts often create natural blindspots where security incidents can occur undetected. Our managers ensure the store is thoroughly and strategically covered in order to reduce blind spots as much as possible. 

4. Performance Quality

During Black Friday weekend, it’s important that our security guards are performing at peak efficiency. Key metrics can include incident response times, quality of reporting documentation, professional demeanour, effective communication with store staff and customers, and adherence to directions. 

Black Friday Loss Prevention Strategies

Our retail security teams employ a variety of effective strategies during Black Friday weekend to minimize theft and inventory losses as much as possible. Retail security guards must be alert for signs of theft, including price tag switching, identifying potential shoplifting teams, and monitoring for suspicious behaviour. Security guards stationed at store exits will also check customer receipts upon leaving, and prevent individuals from exiting with unpaid merchandise. 

Undercover loss prevention operatives (LPOs) provide an effective means of monitoring the store floor discretely. These security personnel wear plain garments and blend in with regular shoppers, allowing them to maintain an up-close view of shoppers at the store as they watch for suspicious activity or thefts in progress. 

How Security Guards Respond to Thefts on Black Friday

In the event of a theft witnessed by a uniformed security guard, tactical security guard, or LPO, the security guard may continue watching the individual to gather additional evidence or confront them with evidence immediately. The guard will bring the individual to the store’s office and question them, as well as record their information for reporting purposes. Depending on the dollar amount stolen, or if the individual has committed previous offences at the store, the security guard may coordinate with local police.

How Advanced Training Helps Retail Security Guards Succeed

In addition to the standard Basic Security Training guards must receive in order to obtain a security license in Canada, Blackbird Security guards receive additional training from our in-house training program, Blackbird Academy. We partner with accredited training institutions including Crisis Prevention Institute and CG Tactical to provide our guards with top-tier educational programs. 

Guards receive training in key areas including peaceful de-escalation, customer service, standard first aid, and crisis management, all of which are invaluable during busy retail sale days. Our tactical security guards also receive use-of-force training, equipping them with the necessary skills to use judicious force when necessary. When guards receive the right training, they can respond to incidents peacefully, efficiently, and professionally. 

What Our Clients Have To Say

“Blackbird Security has been an exceptional security partner for our retail business. Their unwavering commitment and comprehensive services have greatly contributed to the safety and success of our operations. I recommend Blackbird Security to any retailer seeking reliable and effective security solutions.”

- Nicolas Acevedo, Store Manager of Herschel Supply Company in Gastown

“We have this company working at my workplace. The supervisors (mainly Brett, Glenn and Moe) are very responsive and supportive. My favourite guards are Arunjit and Lovepreet. It’s great knowing that I don’t have to worry about doing my job and also watching out for safety and theft. We are lucky enough to have Arunjit at our store frequently and he takes care of us very well! He is adaptable and follows social distancing and even helps us keep our baskets and carts sanitized. He is an asset to the company!”

- Janelle Soutar

“While I was at Holt, my experience was exceptional in part due to how I was treated and greeted by the blackbird security guard, named Harismarn (I asked his name). He was professional, and polite, and made me feel incredibly safe while I was shopping! So impressed. I had an amazing experience in Holt.”

- C.L., Holt Renfrew Customer

Partner With Canada’s Number One Retail Security Company

At Blackbird Security, we’re experienced in protecting a range of retail businesses across Canada on Black Friday. From department stores such as Vancouver’s Holt Renfrew, to big box retailers like Best Buy, to clothing stores like Uniqlo, businesses trust us with their valuable assets and inventory on the most important sales day of the year. Invest in a high-quality security service to secure your store during the busiest shopping weekend of the year. 

Get in touch with us using the form below to learn more about our Black Friday retail security services.