For those who are starting a dollar store there is nothing more challenging than creating a safe and secure environment for employees, shoppers, and yourself. One area that requires attention even before opening your store is associated with money handling. While it is easy to rationalize that you are simply a dollar store owner and no-one would risk the consequences of robbing your store that is a mistake. You must do everything possible to make sure every dollar in sales ends up in your bank account. Employees, shoppers and others see lots of dollar store sales and the exchange of a great deal of money for the dollar store merchandise in your store. While it is imperative that precautions be taken to minimize risks at the cash registers there is much more to do. In this article I present 5 important steps for those who are starting a dollar store to follow in safeguarding their money, employees and others. While this is not every step you should take, this minimum will certainly help protect the results of your hard earned dollar store sales. 1. Create a secure, locked cash handling area Never complete cash register closeout on the sales floor. Always take the cash for that day’s dollar store sales to a secure, locked area that is designated for this purpose. Limit access to only those who have been designated and trained. Security cameras covering all portions of the area are an important addition. 2. Monitor activities in the entire counting area Unless you are the owner of a super-large store or a group of stores it is advisable for you to handle as much of the cash handling and cash counting activities as possible. Even when you are handling the duties limit access and monitor the area. Never let your guard down. You work hard for the dollar store sales you achieve. Don’t risk losing your earnings. 3. Always have 2 employees present during counting activities If employees are required to handle cash counting always use a buddy system. Be sure they have a specific process to follow and make sure the doors are locked with cameras on while it is being handled. 4. Secure money into a locking safe that is securely bolted to a concrete floor. Your money storage safe should be kept in a locked room with limited access. The room should be monitored with a camera at all times. If dollar store sales are high enough there should also be a coded alarm at all entry points. All money bags should be stored immediately after counting. The safe should always be locked unless money is going into or out of the safe for a specific purpose. 5. Do not use the in-store safe for long term money storage. Remove cash from your store frequently. Make bank deposits on a daily basis to limit the amount of cash in your store. Always follow safe and secure methods of moving cash to the bank. Use a buddy system. Vary the times money is transferred from your store to the bank. When starting a dollar store implement a strategy to reduce risk of robbery or theft. In the end, however, it is important to remember that the money simply isn’t worth injury or loss of life. To your success when starting a dollar store! Find out how you can open your own dollar store business. Bob Hamilton is an entrepreneur, author, writer, business consultant and trainer.
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