Black Friday is one of the busiest—and often most chaotic—shopping days of the year. Large crowds, emotional customers, long lines, and time-sensitive deals can create an environment where safety incidents happen quickly. For store owners and managers, it’s essential to prepare your retail location with proactive security measures that protect shoppers, employees, and your merchandise.
As the leading security provider along Colorado’s Front Range, Pikes Peak Security understands how essential a successful Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are for meeting your annual sales goals. That’s why we’ve put together five proven ways to keep your store safe this holiday shopping season.
If you have questions about retail security or want support planning for Black Friday, we’re here to help.
1. Manage Traffic Flow
Black Friday crowds begin long before customers step into your store—traffic starts in the parking lot. To prevent overcrowding and reduce stress, create a clear traffic flow plan that includes:
- A seasonal employee or security guard directing cars and protecting pedestrians
- Marked walkways and designated parking areas
- Signage guiding customers to store entrances
Inside the store, consider:
- Implementing one-way aisles
- Using stanchions to organize checkout lines
- Having employees consistently check aisles for hazards such as snow, puddles, spills, or fallen merchandise
Because slips, trips, and falls are some of the most common Black Friday incidents, monitoring walkways is essential.
2. Hire Seasonal Employees
With a major surge in shoppers, your regular team may not be able to efficiently manage customer needs, monitor inventory, and maintain safety on their own. Hiring seasonal employees helps:
- Direct traffic inside the store
- Monitor checkout lines
- Support customers in high-volume areas
- Assist with crowd flow and organization
If you’re short-staffed, consider asking current employees to take on additional shifts. Well-trained employees are one of your strongest defenses against shoplifting, inventory issues, and customer conflict. Adequate staffing also prevents burnout and ensures your team can provide excellent customer service.
3. Hire Extra Retail Security Guards
No matter how skilled your employees are, Black Friday requires dedicated security support. Hiring additional retail security guards helps:
- Deter theft and vandalism
- Monitor security cameras
- Respond quickly to incidents
- De-escalate conflicts between customers
- Assist with crowd control and store entry management
Your employees shouldn’t be responsible for breaking up fights or confronting suspicious activity during the busiest shopping day of the year.
When choosing a security company, look for professionals who are licensed, trained, and experienced in retail environments—like the officers at Pikes Peak Security.
4. Install Extra Security Cameras and EAS Tags
Security technology provides an added layer of protection. If you don’t already have cameras or electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags, Black Friday is the ideal time to invest in them.
Consider placing cameras at:
- Entrances and exits
- High-traffic aisles
- Checkout lanes
- Areas with high-value merchandise
EAS tags help reduce theft by triggering an alarm if an item leaves the store without being scanned. Together, cameras and tags increase visibility, deter shoplifting, and support investigations when incidents occur.
5. Provide Hand Sanitizers and Masks
Although many people have returned to normal routines, Black Friday occurs during peak cold and flu season—and concerns about COVID-19 still influence shopper comfort levels. To promote a healthier environment:
- Place hand sanitizer stations throughout the store
- Make masks available for customers who want them
- Consider plexiglass barriers at checkout counters
While enforcing mask usage may not be practical during high-volume events, offering protective options helps customers feel safer and more comfortable.
Hire Retail Security Guards with Pikes Peak Security
Pikes Peak Security hires the best security guards in Southern Colorado. Our guards all come from military, law enforcement, or extensive security backgrounds. They are skilled in crowd control tactics, customer service, and conflict de-escalation, so they are ready for any situation that your store might face this holiday season. We can also help you create a security plan that will set you up for Black Friday success. If you have questions about retail security or would like to receive a free quote, contact us today.
