7 Access Control Features Every Modern Retail Store Needs

Shrinkage is one of the greatest threats facing the retail industry, costing stores an estimated $112 billion annually. This is a combination of theft, administrative errors and fraud, all of which can be mitigated with robust access controls. Their importance in a broader retail security framework is undeniable, but many owners still aren’t using them to their full advantage. 

With so many access points, such as entryways, delivery areas and store rooms, access control technology has a lot of ground to cover. Although most retail stores share similar risk profiles, each has its own blind spots, particularly in visibility and access management, so conduct a thorough assessment of your establishment’s strengths and weaknesses before adopting any of the 7 features covered here. 

1. Mobile credentials 

Friction and credential management are common challenges in the adoption and operation of access control systems. Measures that stall staff while they fish for traditional keys or try to recall long passwords may still do their job in restricting entry, but they end up hampering productivity, trading one issue for another. 

Credential choice plays an important role in retail. A generally high turnover rate and a large number of part-time and seasonal employees mean that any measures must be easy to distribute, and revocable once a contract ends. 

Mobile access control address these concerns by: 

Tying entry to a common object

Mobile devices are extremely common, making access keys easy to explain and use. This reduces the cost of replacing physical keys and provides an intuitive user experience.QR codes generated through a QR code maker can also be used for temporary access, adding flexibility and security.

Streamlining management

Because access control systems and records are digital, adding and removing staff is simple and can be done remotely. This reduces the administrative workload associated with hiring and mitigates the possibility of credential drift.

Mitigating common unauthorized entry methods

Credentials are easier to steal and clone when tied to physical assets. Moving to mobile alternatives reduces potential entry paths for bad actors. 

Access control solutions, such as Avigilon’s mobile credential systems, are emblematic of modern security. Their credentials are adaptable, with key fobs, cards and mobile options to tailor access control across multiple sites to suit your individual needs.

2. Video enhanced access 

Security threats take longer to investigate when systems are isolated. Access logs are stored in one location, and video footage in another, meaning managers and on site security staff waste time cross-referencing timestamps to verify who attempted to access where, and when. 

A unified system brings these two elements together, with cameras at key entry locations and a dashboard that treats events as packages, combining both sets of information. This delivers everyday value through: 

Verifying entry

Operators can instantly see if the credentials used for entry match the person using them. Cameras work 24/7, making them useful for everything from regular shifts to out-of-hours stock room checks. 

Confirming delivery activity

Loading bays and back entrances are prime targets for thieves seeking to steal goods from transit left unguarded at a standstill. Access controls and video cameras work in tandem to secure these vulnerable spaces. 

Catching internal shrinkage

Investigating misplaced, damaged or stolen goods from restricted areas is only possible with video surveillance. 

A network of video surveillance systems supporting access control solution create a comprehensive overview of a retail space and potential threats. Logs, enhanced by footage, provide valuable evidence, while data on movement patterns can be utilized to increase efficiency and protect sensitive areas. 

3. Alerts and event notifications

Retail stores struggle with security allocation. Teams are typically small, and must balance their attention between monitoring video feeds, administrative paperwork and active patrols. Physical security guard presence on shop floors is often the strongest deterrent available, but realistically, they can only maintain that for as long as there is nothing else pressing to attend to. 

These systems use data from access controls and security cameras to generate custom alerts for:

• Access attempts, including multiple instances of failed entry
• Open doors
• Use of force in an entryway

Exactly what information these alerts contain, and who they’re sent to, can be customized to suit an individual store’s needs. They turn security incidents into immediate action, regardless of whether a team member was manning the security feed, giving them more time to protect inventory and frontline staff. 

4. Role-based permissions 

Fast-moving, dynamic workplaces demand access controls that reflect actual day-to-day responsibilities. Giving both part-time cleaning staff and floor managers equal permission to move about the premises makes little sense. Though they may both have duties to fulfil in stock rooms and offices, the frequency and times at which they need to gain access differ wildly, a discrepancy that role-based access control systems solve. 

Creating unique access permissions for each individual can be technically cumbersome, so broad, sweeping access is often granted for convenience. This opens up retailers to unnecessary risk via unauthorized access, however, so a system that operates on pre-defined groups, such as:

Store assistants

Given access to breakrooms and shop floors during open hours.

Cleaning crew

Given temporary access to all areas for brief windows that align with their shifts.

Managers

Given full access to the premises 24/7.

Offers operators a flexible way to incorporate new hires into the security hierarchy, and grant temporary credentials as needed. A key benefit of these frameworks is consistency: the same model can be used across stores to ensure only authorized personnel can access sensitive areas across multiple locations. These systems can also be used for visitor management, allowing contractors and other professional services to gain access to essential areas.

5. AI data and operational insight

Collecting data for its own sake can lead to an information overload. Access controls track moment-to-moment movement across a retail space, but many store owners fail to recognise the utility of such data. Every card swipe or mobile wave form a pattern within the access logs, and AI can help improve efficiency in daily operations.  

The data analysis capabilities of AI can identify: 

• When retail spaces are left unattended due to multiple trips to the storerooms
• When restricted areas are overcrowded
• When extra access might be required to meet staff demand

These optimizations help refine compliance and capacity policies, while enhancing security for a safer customer experience. Holidays periods that bring heavy foot traffic can catch stores unaware, and the valuable insights from access data can be pivotal in predicting customer behavior, and preparing the right number of staff to meet store needs. 

6. Scalable cloud-based solutions

Growth is rarely linear. As new opportunities arise, it’s important to ensure your security scales with you. Building networks of cameras and access controls from scratch can be expensive and time-consuming, and investing in scalable, cloud-based solutions insulates you from these future costs. 

On-premises systems often require physical infrastructure, such as local server rooms and storage, which must be maintained and updated in person. This might be fine for a single location, but across a distributed network, cracks will begin to form as some stores lag behind others. Centralized cloud management solves this problem by eliminating the need for local storage and unifying security systems into a single dashboard that can be automatically updated. 

Cloud management can: 

• Standardise access policies across different locations 
• Simplify credential management 
• Allow for remote adjustments of individual doors to address staff needs and security concerns 

Adding or transferring staff, and opening new locations or additional storage facilities no longer requires creating entirely new security plans. Most modern systems, such as Brivo Security Suite and Avigilon Alta, work with existing infrastructure, making them easy to adopt and scale, whether you’re transferring staff or opening new locations or storage facilities. 

7. Remote lockdown and emergency response

Retail is becoming an increasingly dangerous field for frontline staff. Theft is on the rise, and while traditionally this only warrants investigation after the fact, these incidents are becoming increasingly violent. 24% of retail employees say they feel unsafe at work, and many more have personally witnessed or been a victim of harassment, with grocery and big box store staff being the most frequently targeted. 

Lockdowns and emergency security protocols enable: 

• One-click remote access door sealing, keeping backroom staff safe, or restricting the movement of criminals 
• Automatic law enforcement contact tied to alarm systems, which can be configured to share footage and other relevant information to inform their response 
• Immediate notifications are sent to designated staff with instructions on how to proceed
• Emergency responders to be allocated as temporary authorized individuals to move through retail spaces without worrying about access permissions

These features help prevent theft and other security breaches, but have many uses beyond that. Medical emergencies and natural disasters, such as fire and flood, also require immediate, coordinated responses to save lives and minimize damage. Lockdowns and security protocols can be initiated remotely, allowing security teams to take control of the situation before they arrive on site, even outside of business hours.

Access systems are a retail imperative

Shrinkage incurs massive costs and often impacts employee well-being. 70% of retail employees say they would feel safer with enhanced security features in their store, pointing to an industry-wide failing in responding to emerging threats. 

Access controls are a frontline safeguard, providing the visibility and control needed to help retailers reduce losses and provide peace of mind for staff. As a foundational security layer, their ability to scale with the owner’s needs makes their presence a crucial component of future growth, provided they are equipped to utilize them to their maximum potential. 

*Please note that this list includes sponsored content. Some of the companies, products, or services featured have entered into commercial agreements for placement. Sponsored placements do not necessarily reflect an endorsement and should be considered alongside other options in the marketplace.