It’s the classic love-hate relationship all over again. Retailers love security cases to help ensure access to merchandise is controlled, whether for theft prevention or compliance with regulatory requirements, but hate the hassle of installing them.
Shortages of available workers, scheduling staff to handle complex and unfamiliar assembly tasks, and inconvenience to store operation are just some of the points that create friction when it’s time to install security cases.
We’ll take a look at several of these hindrances and see how design for installation can provide relief.
To get an overview of the post and learn what makes installation easier and why that matters, here’s a short video.
Before security cases can do their job, they have to be installed
Installation takes time, requires labor, and can interfere with the flow of traffic in the store. The longer the installation takes, the greater the costs to you in effort as well as in dollars.
You may be well familiar with these and other security case installation hassles:
1. Uninstalled cases are taking up space and cost money
Is there a brand new security case (or more than one) taking up space in the storage area of your facility while it’s waiting to be installed? Security cases work to control theft issues, but until they’re installed, your merchandise is still vulnerable to theft.
Or, if the stock that will go into the case has been pulled from the floor to secure it, sales may be lost because customers aren’t aware that the products are available. Either way, there’s a cost associated with not putting the case to work, not to mention the space it’s taking up in the back room.
2. Installation will cause inconvenience and disruption on the sales floor
Although many retailers make installations at night, that solution doesn’t work for everyone. If you’re required to accommodate an installation during business hours, with customers in the store, several worries will come up:
- Sales lost while the installation takes place
- Possibilities for loss or theft of goods during the process if stock is not well-secured
- Disorder as installation activity, people, and the chaos of display case parts distracts customers
3. Labor is in short supply and hard to schedule
In today’s market, having adequate staff available for each shift is challenging enough, and it gets harder when you have to arrange for staff to assemble and install security displays.
What happens in their regular areas when sales associates are pulled in to handle an installation? The cost of the case also rises based on the number of people needed to make the installation and how long it takes them to complete the process.
4. A complicated assembly and installation process causes frustration
When case installation is complicated, with a large number of parts and an assembly process that requires special tools and expertise, it’s easy to put off the task.
The installation steps themselves may be difficult or confusing, or the problem may be that the instructions aren’t clear. Every obstacle means the installation takes more time, and that makes labor cost rise.
5. Case functionality is disappointingly limited
One size does not always fit all. Compatibility with existing shelving, the need to retrofit security cases to existing displays, and merchandise that requires flexibility for effective display and the convenience of the sales associates–these are just some of the issues that can arise.
Changing regulations may mean that some goods now must be in locked cases rather than open shelves. Retrofitting existing displays could be the most expeditious, although non-standard, solution.
Retailers also find that conventional, standard size cases certainly work in lots of applications, but not all are the best fit; and some security cases are limited to a single brand of gondola.
How design, speed, and customer support overcome installation woes
Critical design advantages lead to speed that, in turn, eliminates obstacles and reduces worries about disruptions on the sales floor, downtime, and scheduling challenges.
With installation support options the process becomes even easier. That’s the approach L.A. Darling takes with the security cases they design and manufacture.
Building on years of experience helping retailers solve problems, L.A. Darling engineered their security case design specifically to be easy to assemble and install and they put their full effort into providing ample pre-installation support along with consistent follow through.
Effective case design makes all the difference
“Right from the start, we engineered the process to create absolutely the easiest possible assembly and installation for our security cases,” says L.A. Darling Engineering Manager Larry Johnson.
He credits Reid Pace, Senior Project Design Engineer, and C.J. Sharpe, Director of Sales as being the creators of the case that has become L.A. Darling’s main design.
Key design characteristics include:
Engineered precision and fit. Security cases fit together smoothly and accurately, using a minimum of components, including elements that snap into place, and only standard tools. The assembly process is straightforward, using similar steps for starter and add-on segments. A durable powder coat finish and correct fit are givens.
Adaptability. Cases can be installed on bases made by more than one manufacturer, and they can be placed as needed at varying heights above the base. Adjustable depth cases offer flexibility in merchandising and options to accommodate changing needs. Disassembly for repair or relocation is as easy as the initial installation.
Customization. Cases come as starters or add-ons, usually 3’ or 4’ in width, and they can be combined into a run of whatever length is needed. Case heights range up to a maximum of 84”. L.A. Darling offers complete design flexibility with a range of security cases construction options as well as improved bypass door construction that increases security and smooth operation.
Speedy installation reduces disruption and stress on staff
How fast is fast? “It may take longer to read the directions than to make the installation.” That’s how Engineering Manager Larry Johnson describes the straightforward assembly process–top, end panel, bottom track, doors, finishing cap, and you’re good to go.
With all the components ready on-site, 15 minutes is all the time it should take for two people to install a single security case, either a starter or an add-on. Exact timing at an installation site will also depend on the total scope of work taking place, especially if the case is part of a larger remodel or renovation project.
And the 15 minute time for installing either a starter unit or an add-on unit is achievable by your own in-house team—maintenance staff, associates, or managers—not only experienced installers. Easy installation makes the whole process fast and effective, cutting labor time and expense and reducing disruption for your team and your customers.
Customer support with follow through
Over the years, L.A. Darling has found that their support makes installations substantially easier. They offer support for customer installations as well as a full-service installation option.
Customer installation support. Beyond clear and accurate instructions available on the website and hotline support, L.A. Darling offers additional support through in-person training of your in-house installation team, customized videos showing how to assemble and install your cases, and whatever level of custom support you need.
“You won’t be handling the installation process alone because L.A. Darling provides the resources and support to get it done effectively, efficiently, and without damage,” says Ethan Smith, Director of Business Development.
Streamlined turnkey installation. End-to-end turnkey installation can simplify the process even more. L.A. Darling takes an approach that offers comprehensive installation services that can be quoted as a line item.
Tapping into the expertise of an experienced team that can handle it all, L.A. Darling’s installation knowledge and troubleshooting skill result in even less downtime while installation takes place on the sales floor.
Security case installation doesn’t have to be a headache
Whether you’re overseeing a store refresh or the installation of security cases for theft prevention, the faster the case installation–and the faster you get merchandise secured and safely on display for customers–the better.
With the right cases designed for easy installation, personalized customer support, and plenty of options for adaptability, your secure display will be ready to use in minutes, so you can focus on everything else that’s competing for your attention, confident of excellent results.
Talk to our team to learn more about how design for installation can help your operation. Major retailers like Walmart depend on L.A. Darling for security cases constructed to meet their needs with top performance and easy installation. Find out more in the case study.