Home topics technology Tech Tech On Camera Guest Author August 21, 2007 Dennis Spinks explains why video surveillance is a must for retailers. In a commercial environment of reduced margins, shifting customer loyalties and increased competition, retailers can ill-afford the financial burden of asset shrinkage from shoplifting, robbery and employee theft. And with litigation against employers on the rise, nor can retail store owners afford to be lax when it comes to safeguarding themselves from costly, protracted lawsuits. Increasingly, retailers are looking to video surveillance technology to protect their goods and property and provide added protection from litigation. The right video security system can effectively monitor a store for shoplifters and dishonest employees while also acting as an evidence-gathering tool for all types of workplace-related crime including false accident claims and credit card fraud. Whereas a few years ago video surveillance was largely seen as a luxury that only medium-to-large retail stores could justify and afford, these days even the smallest of retailers are discovering that powerful video security is both within their financial reach and is capable of delivering a strong return on investment. The most significant development in the video security systems market in recent years has been the increasing popularity of Digital Video Recording (DVR) systems. For retailers who are considering the implementation of video security equipment a DVR system offers several advantages. Unlike a traditional analogue system that records images onto VCR video tapes, a DVR system downloads its images onto a computer hard drive. Additionally,