For a shop owner, CCTV is about more than recording a break-in. The right system helps prevent shoplifting, settles disputes at the counter, keeps an eye on stock, and lets you check on the shop from your phone when you are not there. This guide explains how to plan CCTV for a typical shop in Sri Lanka.
Why shops need CCTV
- Deter theft: visible cameras discourage shoplifting and staff theft
- Record incidents: clear footage helps when something goes wrong, from a break-in to a customer dispute
- Watch the cash counter: record every transaction area
- Monitor remotely: check opening, closing, and busy periods from your phone
- Protect after hours: motion alerts at night can warn you of intruders
Where to place cameras in a shop
- The entrance, facing inward, to capture a clear face of everyone who walks in
- The cash counter, looking down over the till and the customer side
- Aisles and high-value displays, such as phones, electronics, cosmetics, or cigarettes
- The stock room and back door, where goods arrive and leave
- Outside the shutter, to record anyone trying to force entry at night
How many cameras does a shop need?
A small shop with one room and a counter can often be covered well with four cameras: entrance, counter, main floor, and back door or stock room. Larger shops, supermarkets, and showrooms usually need eight or more, especially with several aisles or floors. A site survey will show exactly how many you need.
Features that help shops
- 4MP or higher resolution for clear faces and small details
- Wide dynamic range (WDR) for entrances with bright daylight behind customers
- Full-colour night vision to record clothing colours outside after closing
- Line-crossing or intrusion alerts for the stock room and shutter at night
- Enough storage to keep several weeks of footage, because many incidents are noticed days later
Recording and remote viewing
Connect the recorder to your shop's internet so you can view cameras and receive alerts on your phone. Place the recorder in a locked cabinet or hidden location so it cannot be stolen along with the footage, and connect it to a UPS so it keeps recording during power cuts.
Add access control for staff areas
If staff use a back door or stock room, an access control system can record who enters and when, using face recognition, fingerprints, or cards. Combined with CCTV, every entry is both logged and recorded.
Keep it legal and respectful
Place cameras to cover the shop floor, entrances, and stock areas, never changing rooms or toilets. A visible sign that the shop is under CCTV surveillance also helps deter theft.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of footage should a shop keep?
At least a month is a good target for most shops, because theft and disputes are often discovered days or weeks later. Storage size depends on the number of cameras and their resolution. Read our CCTV storage guide for how to estimate it.
Should shop cameras be visible or hidden?
Visible cameras at the entrance and counter help deter theft, while a few discreet cameras can cover areas where problems happen. Most shops use a mix of both.
Can I watch my shop cameras when I am not there?
Yes. Once the recorder is connected to the shop's internet, you can view live and recorded footage on your phone and receive motion alerts after closing time.
Get a shop CCTV system installed
We design and install CCTV systems for shops and businesses across Sri Lanka, starting with a free site survey. See our CCTV installation service, browse our CCTV cameras and kits, or read our CCTV price guide.
Running a bigger business? Read CCTV for offices and factories.