It's something you do every day, oftentimes without much thought. You arrive at work, unlock the door and disable the alarm. You prepare for the day, greet customers and conduct business. At closing, you secure your merchandise in safes or vaults, set the alarm, lock up and head home. For many, these steps feel automatic.
But familiarity can create vulnerability.
Opening and closing are consistently the most dangerous times for jewelry businesses. Criminals know these routines are predictable, and they often plan around them. Treating these moments as high-risk operational events as opposed to simple daily habits is critical to keeping you and your staff safe.
To reduce risk, adopt and consistently follow these recommended opening and closing procedures:
1. Assess your surroundings before arriving
Before parking or exiting your vehicle, take a moment to observe the area around your business. Look for unfamiliar individuals, vehicles that seem out of place, or activity that feels unusual.
Pay attention to repeated patterns from prior days, as casing activity often develops gradually rather than all at once.
If something doesn't look right, leave the area and return later. If concerns persist when you return, do not attempt to open the business. Contact local law enforcement and follow their guidance.
2. Inspect the exterior before entry
Carefully examine the perimeter of your business for any signs of tampering or forced entry, such as broken glass, damaged doors, ladders or disturbances near adjacent businesses. If you notice anything suspicious, whether at your location or next door, leave the area immediately and notify law enforcement.
Do not enter the premises until authorities have confirmed it is safe to do so.
3. Coordinate with law enforcement when needed
If police respond, meet them at a location that is out of view of the business. Ask officers to conduct a thorough inspection of the premises before you proceed with opening or closing activities. Their assessment can help identify hidden risks that may not be immediately visible.
4. Always open and close with two people
Opening and closing should never be a solo task.
One associate should unlock the door and immediately relock it after entering. This individual should conduct a complete walkthrough of the premises, checking for anything out of place or suspicious.
The second associate should remain outside at a safe distance, maintaining visual awareness of the surroundings and ready to contact police if necessary. Only after receiving a pre-established "all-clear" signal should the second associate enter, locking the door behind them. Together, they can proceed with opening safes or vaults, preparing displays or securing merchandise.
Whenever possible, avoid predictable routines such as the same employee opening every day or arriving at the exact same time. This helps reduce the risk of being targeted through surveillance.
5. Understand and deter ambush risk
It is not uncommon for criminals to wait for the first employee to arrive, then confront them to force entry or disarm alarm systems. In many cases, this behavior is preceded by casing, where individuals observe routines, staffing patterns and opening or closing habits over time.
Common indicators of casing activity may include:
- The same person or vehicle repeatedly present near the business at opening or closing times
- Individuals loitering while pretending to talk on a phone, smoke or wait for someone
- Vehicles idling, circling the block or parking briefly without an obvious purpose
- Unusual interest in employee arrival times, door locations or security features
- Activity near adjacent businesses, rear entrances or shared walls
If you observe any of these behaviors, do not proceed with opening or closing. Leave the area and contact law enforcement.
To reduce the risk of ambush, follow the two-person opening and closing procedures outlined above. Use the main entrance with proper lighting and clear visibility and avoid predictable routines whenever possible.
6. Keep doors locked during opening procedures
Once inside, keep doors locked while removing merchandise from safes and vaults and arranging displays. Do not unlock doors until all opening tasks are complete and you are fully ready to begin the business day.
This reduces exposure during a vulnerable transition period.
7. Secure the store before closing tasks
At the end of the day, clear all customers from the store and lock the doors before beginning closing procedures. Secure as much merchandise as possible in safes or vaults.
If you can't secure all the merchandise, remove it from display cases and place it out of sight. Empty or minimal displays help deter smash-and-grab attempts after hours.
8. Do not open outside posted business hours
Never open your doors before or after normal business hours, regardless of the reason. This includes deliveries, quick customer requests or favors.
Shortcuts can expose employees to unnecessary risk and undermine otherwise strong security practices. Clear signage can help reinforce that opening outside posted hours is not permitted. Consistent enforcement protects employees, customers and businesses.
Final reminder: Opening and closing procedures are not just routine tasks — they are critical safety practices. Consistency, awareness and discipline during these moments can significantly reduce risk and help protect everyone involved.
Protect your jewelry business with Jewelers Mutual
Disciplined opening and closing procedures are one part of a strong security program. Jewelers Mutual provides customizable jewelry business insurance designed to fit the specific needs of your operation, whether you run a small independent boutique or a large-scale commercial showroom. Visit the Jewelers Mutual website today to learn more about keeping your business secure as you continue to grow.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax or professional advice.
