Turning Point-of-Sale Screensavers into a Subtle Force for Security and Awareness

Retailers are facing escalating losses. Across both the UK and Australia, data shows retail theft is at record levels.

In the UK, the British Retail Consortium’s Crime and Shrink Benchmark 2025 (BRC) found that retailers faced over 20 million theft incidents in the past year, more than 55,000 every day. The cost of theft alone has risen to £2.2 billion in 2023/24, even before counting the billions spent on prevention measures. Meanwhile, incidents of violence and abuse in retail rose over 50%, to more than 2,000 incidents per day. These figures reflect a climate in which retail operations need every tool they can find to stay vigilant, informed, and responsive.

In Australia, the trend is similar. According to research reported by The New Daily in October 2025, shoplifting has increased across all major states, and attitudes towards theft have shifted too. The Monash University “Consumer Deviance Spotlight” study found that more than one in four Australians now see some form of retail theft, such as not scanning items at self-checkout, as “justifiable.”

Retailers such as Coles and Woolworths have both reported significant increases in theft incidents and have introduced new safety measures, from body cameras to staff training, to help teams feel safer and better prepared.

While these figures are concerning, they also highlight the growing need for clear, consistent communication between head office and frontline staff; communication that supports vigilance, shares updates, and encourages teamwork rather than anxiety.

Supporting Staff Through Smart Communication

When we talk about internal communication in retail, it’s often about sharing updates, celebrating wins, or reminding staff about compliance. But in an environment where theft and safety incidents are onthe rise, communication also plays a direct role in helping staff feel informed and confident.

At Heed.io, we believe that internal communication tools can be just as important for creating safer, more connected workplaces as they are for engagement or training. One example is our use of screensavers and wallpapers on point-of-sale (POS) systems, a simple but powerful way to keep store teams informed, alert, and supported as they go about their day.

With Heed’s screensaver and wallpaper technology, retailers can use these terminals to:

• Remind employees about important security policies, such as checking ID for age-restricted sales or asking for a supervisor for high-value refunds.
• Share local updates about store safety or incidents in nearby branches.
• Display images of recently reported suspects, where permitted, alongside positive reminders about vigilance and teamwork.
• Provide encouragement and recognition thanking staff who spot and report issues early.

The tone of these messages matters. They’re not about fear; they’re about awareness, connection, and shared responsibility. A message like “Remember to ask for a second check on high-value refunds. Thank you for keeping our store safe” is both empowering and reassuring.

A Subtle Way to Build a Security-Minded Culture

Screensavers and wallpapers are an often-overlooked communication channel. They don’t interrupt work, they’re visual and consistent, and they can be updated in real time to reflect changing priorities.

Over time, these gentle reminders can help build habits. Staff start to remember policies automatically, know what to watch for, and feel more confident when responding to incidents.

This approach also complements other investments including CCTV, training, or store security, by keeping people informed and engaged day to day. It’s a low cost, low disruption layer of communication that quietly strengthens the culture of awareness.

Helping Teams Stay Connected and Confident

At Heed, we design digital communication tools that get messages to people where and when they need them. By transforming existing screens into communication touchpoints, retailers can share messages that are informative without being intrusive, timely without being stressful,and always relevant to what staff are experiencing.

Retail crime may be rising, but so too are the tools available to tackle it in positive, people-centred ways. With the right communication in the right place, we can help every employee stay informed, feel confident, and contribute to a safer store environment.