Locked Away: Are Your Security Measures Driving Customers Away?

Posted Jan 14, 2025

Imagine you’re at a store, excited to grab a high-quality razor set you’ve been meaning to try. You spot it on the shelf—only to find it locked behind a glass case. Now what? For many customers, this frustrating scenario often leads to abandoning the purchase altogether. A recent Consumer World survey revealed that when faced with locked cases, only 32% of shoppers bother to get assistance to unlock them. The rest? 55% walk away, choosing to buy elsewhere, and 13% settle for an alternative product that’s not locked up. This theft-prevention strategy might save inventory for retailers, but it could cost them sales—and loyal customers.

Takeaway: If you own a small business, consider how your security measures might impact the customer experience. Are you solving one problem only to create another?

Rick Slark