Loss Prevention Innovations: Smash-and-Grab-Proof Windows

In the intricate realm of retail security, the battle against various forms of financial loss is a constant struggle. To mitigate such losses, retailers must implement effective loss prevention strategies to safeguard profits from a multitude of risks, most notably theft. 

As the methods employed by criminals evolve, so do the innovations designed to thwart them. Among the range of security challenges that modern high-end and specialty retailers face, one menace has surged to prominence: the audacious smash-and-grab theft. 

With major cities across the United States gripped by a series of high-profile incidents, the importance of preventing such brazen acts has reached a new place in the spotlight. 

In the face of escalating criminal tactics related to smash-and-grabs, certain loss prevention innovations provide a formidable shield for retailers, assuring the resilience of their establishments in an increasingly challenging retail security landscape.

Why Are Loss Prevention Innovations To Prevent Smash-and-Grab Theft So Important?

Loss prevention deals with preserving retail profit and protecting against financial losses related to certain risks, particularly theft.

When it comes to loss prevention innovations, it’s important to address all potential types of retail theft, including shoplifting, burglary, and smash-and-grab theft.

In recent years, smash-and-grab theft has risen to the forefront of the list of theft-related threats that retailers face, largely because of a rash of high-profile smash-and-grabs plaguing major cities across the United States.

Among these high-profile smash-and-grabs we’ve also seen the emergence of a relatively new phenomenon, known as a “flash rob” — short for flash mob robbery.

This term refers to instances in which large, organized groups of criminals (sometimes 50 or more) simultaneously target a retail business for a massive smash-and-grab theft, with no regard for staff, security personnel, or cameras and alarms.

In these flash robs there are typically multiple getaway vehicles parked outside, to which the criminals break off into smaller groups after snatching up valuable merchandise, making their escape.

Even if several perpetrators of such a smash-and-grab are caught, the vast majority often get away, potentially with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise in tow.

It’s because of instances like this that loss prevention innovations to mitigate smash-and-grab theft have become so important.

Smash-and-Grab Stats Showing the Importance of Loss Prevention Innovations:

• 169 smash-and-grabs reported to the Jewelers’ Security Alliance in 2022 (almost double the number compared to 2021)
• In August of 2023, 30 to 40 thieves made off with $300,000 in merchandise from a Yves Saint Laurent store in Glendale, California
• Also in August of 2023, a group of thieves armed with bear spray made off with $100,000 in merchandise from a Nordstrom in Woodland Hills, California
• Retailers saw an average of a 26.5% increase in organized retail crime incidents in 2021 from the prior year

As you may have guessed by looking at some of the stats above, retailers in Californian cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, have been some of the hardest hit by smash-and-grab thefts in the past few years. 

However, other major US cities, including Chicago, New York, and Miami, have seen similar rises in this form of retail theft.

No matter what city they’re located in, retailers can benefit from implementing one of the top loss prevention innovations to actually prevent criminals from breaking storefront windows and display cases to steal merchandise: smash-and-grab-proof windows.

What Are Smash-and-Grab-Proof Windows?

Smash-and-grab-proof windows are made from special sheets of security glazing that are highly impact resistant and repel attacks using hammers, bats, pry bars, and other common burglary tools.

These sheets of security glazing, such as Riot Glass® security glazing, are composed of multiple layers of laminated security glass, polycarbonates, acrylics, and other plastics, giving them the appearance of regular glass, alongside virtually unbreakable strength.

Riot Glass: The Biggest Loss Prevention Innovation in Years

While there are many similar products on the market that can resist smash-and-grabs, none of them match the performance of Riot Glass.

Riot Glass uses specific formulations of state-of-the-art security glazing materials that give it unparalleled strength and resilience, allowing it to outperform and outlast any smash-and-grab-resistant window glazing available from other companies.

In fact, Riot Glass is such an innovative loss prevention product that police departments across the country are recommending that businesses implement it to prevent forced entry, burglary, smash-and-grab theft, looting, and more.

Benefits of Implementing Riot Glass as Part of Loss Prevention Strategies:

• Can resists even the most determined forced entry attempts
• Looks and feels like traditional storefront glass
• Continues to allow natural light in
• Maintains full visibility
• Doesn’t hurt curb appeal (unlike unsightly bars, grates, gates, and grilles)
• Ideal solution for luxury retailers, where image and shopping experience are a top priority
• Very cost-effective solution — can be retrofitted into or onto existing windows and frames
• Works for storefront windows, doors, and display cases (including all-glass doors and display windows)
• Protects against a full range of security threats, including:
  • Burglary
  • Smash-and-grab theft
  • Rioting and looting
  • Vandalism
  • Storm damage
  • Blast damage
  • Accidental impacts
  • Active threats (provides access denial)

For retailers in search of a cost-effective way to protect their businesses against smash-and-grabs and other forms of retail theft, Riot Glass is the best option.

Since Riot Glass can often be attached inside of or on top of existing retail window and door framing systems, there’s no need for expensive glass removal and replacement. 

Riot Glass acts as a virtually unbreakable barrier in front of the existing glass, and in the event that the Riot Glass gets damaged, it’s much more affordable to replace than an entire commercial window.

For high-risk businesses, for which more violent armed robberies may be a potential concern, bullet-resistant Riot Glass is also available with varying Underwriters’ Laboratories UL 752 ballistic resistance ratings.

These ballistic-grade glazing shields are fully forced entry resistant as well — you’re just getting the added benefit of the ability to stop a certain number of rounds from specific types of firearms.

Contact Riot Glass, LLC today for a free consultation on implementing the top loss prevention innovation on the market to prevent forced entry, burglary, smash-and-grab theft, rioting and looting, and much more.