How to get a job in retail security

While all the major supermarkets and retailers are helping hard-pressed Brits budget with offers and deals, another group of ‘shoppers’ has the best deal of all. 

Meet the shoplifters — the shopkeeper’s arch enemy. 

Before the pandemic in 2019, the police prosecuted 374,395 shoplifting cases. However, many of these thieves consider themselves professional and rarely get caught. The incidence of shoplifting is thought to be as much as twenty times higher than the prosecuted number. And that’s an astonishing 7.5 million shoplifting crimes a year. 

Most of these crimes are conducted by a small number of cunning criminals. They know every trick in the unwritten book about swindling businesses right before their very eyes in broad daylight. 

And it’s you, the honest shopper, that pays for these stolen items as companies have to cover their losses by increasing their bottom line on all products. In the fight against retail crime, a business’s number one asset is the retail security guard. 

Responsibilities, perks and promotions

Being a retail security guard is one of the most exciting jobs in security. It’s not unlike being a police officer in a theft department. It’s an exciting role because shoplifters never take a day off. Supermarkets and other retail shops, such as those selling clothes, bags, and electronics, are stolen several times a day. It’s a game of cat and mouse between the security team and the shoplifters who will win each day.

While you are in training, you’ll learn the basics, but when you start the role, you’ll learn the most. You’ll learn the various techniques that thieves use, such as removing alarm-sounding tags or moving goods to different parts of the store for an easy getaway later. You’ll also learn, by sight and name, the prolific shoplifters in your area. 

In addition, you’ll learn about suspicious behaviour and liaise with CCTV operators who believe they have spotted a shoplifter on their way out of the store with unpaid goods. You’ll need to be physically fit as you could find yourself chasing a suspect and detaining them before police officers arrive on the scene. 

This exciting hands-on role also has other perks. Most retail shops are open only during the day or early evening hours, so there are no night shifts. It’s also quite possible to get a permanent gig with one employer. That gives you security and a better chance to be promoted within the company. 

It’s also well known that plenty of the big supermarkets such as Tesco offer significant staff discounts to boost the bang of their buck on essential purchases that can really help you to budget. And you can also save yourself thousands of pounds a year in discounts on all kinds of things from insurance to utility bills and holidays, as well as groceries, clothes, and electronics, working permanently for major UK supermarkets.

Step 1 — Check your eligibility

As with all security roles, ensure you are eligible before pursuing this career. 

• You must be over 18 years of age
• You must have proof you can work in the UK
• You must pass a criminal background check
• You must pass a mental health check

Step 2 — Book and attend your course

Now to book a course. To work in retail security, you can take two routes. Book a 4-day security guard course or a 6-day door supervisor course for around £179.99. If in doubt or to be able to work roles where alcohol is being served and consumed, take the door supervisor course.

Don’t forget that 95% of our course attendees pass the first time. If you don’t pass, you can either retake the course or get a full refund. So, you really have nothing to lose!

Step 3 — Send off your SIA licence with the required fee. 

After you have finished your course, send off for your licence. Both the security guard licence and the door supervisor licence is £184. Find out more about how to apply for your licence here. 

Step 4 — Find a job

Now that you have your licence, it’s time to get looking for your first role. The best way to do this is to use the GuardPass app. This innovative app has tons of cool features and will allow you to create a job seeker’s profile with a worker profile. You can then let employers find you and apply to the latest vacancies. 

Earning Potential

Retail security jobs start at around £10-£14 per hour so that you could earn up to £2500 monthly. You could earn double that or more if you are promoted to a team leader or security manager. So, if you think this exciting role is for you, check out the YouTube video above about working in retail security and book your course today. 

Looking for jobs? 

To find the latest security jobs, check out our Jobs Board, which has 1,000+ jobs from the UK’s best security companies. 

If you’re on the hunt for a security job on the go, download the GuardPass for all the latest jobs and more. The GuardPass App is available for download on the Apple App Store or on the Google Play Store.