Dollar Store Crime

A dollar store is a relatively small retail store that sells a wide variety of inexpensive items, typically for a dollar or less.  Dollar stores are often located in small towns or heavily concentrated in rural areas where fewer retail options exist.

The three primary dollar stores in the U.S. are Dollar General, Family Dollar and Dollar Tree.  Family Dollar and Dollar Tree have the same corporate owner.

Dollar General has over 16,000 stores nationwide and is the fastest growing retailer in America, opening approximately 1,000 new stores annually. Walmart, by comparison, has 4,700 stores.

Dollar stores are very vulnerable to crime, particularly armed robbery and shoplifting. They are often located in high-crime neighborhoods.  Dollar stores emphasize keeping operating costs as low as possible. Their low-cost model hinders good security measures.

Dollar stores tend to be thinly staffed, often with one or two employees.  Employees are often in the store alone.

Dollar stores usually have more cash sales than other retail stores, making it more vulnerable to robbery.  Dollar stores have high turnover of poorly paid, overworked employees. Dollar stores often have cluttered aisles with high shelves, and seldom have on-site security personnel.  If they have security cameras, they are frequently low quality and poorly placed.

The windows of dollar stores are often obscured by ads and signage, and the exteriors are often poorly maintained.  They are sometimes referred to as “robbery magnets”.  Employees of dollar stares receive minimal training in how to handle a robbery.

How to Improve Dollar Store Security

• Employ off-duty police officers as store security, ideally with their marked vehicles.
• Reduce merchandise clutter and high shelving
• Reduce signage from store windows
• Install good quality security cameras and monitors
• Transfer cash from registers frequently to time delay safes
• Possibly pass local ordinances addressing dollar store security
• Most Difficult:  Persuade dollar store executives to modify their business model and prioritize employee safety and security over corporate profits.

ACPI is a worldwide leader in enabling law enforcement agencies, businesses, institutions, and security professionals to reduce criminal activity and risk and enhance quality of life through the delivery of practical, unbiased training and certification programs.  Visit our website at acpionline.com to learn about our comprehensive list of both live virtual and self-paced training courses.