Store Within a Store: Top 3 Retail Security Challenges and Solutions

Store within a store (SWAS), or shop-in-shop, isn’t a new concept, but it’s evolved recently to better meet the needs of today’s shoppers. Typically, a SWAS is a smaller store within a larger one, but now, there’s no limit to how big one brand can be within another. For shoppers, it’s all about convenience, while for retailers, it’s a cost-effective way to drive foot traffic and increase visibility.

While the SWAS model has its benefits, it also introduces security challenges that can leave businesses vulnerable to theft, fraud, and inventory discrepancies. These challenges—ranging from unclear responsibilities to mixed product displays—require the right systems to prevent major risks. Below, we’ll explore these challenges and explain how InVue’s asset protection and access control solutions can help you mitigate risks and improve security in a store within a store environment.

Store Within a Store: 3 Challenges & Solutions

The first store-within-a-store models were pharmacies inside grocery stores—a quick and convenient way for people to grab both groceries and prescriptions on their way home. Today, the concept has expanded to well-known examples like Starbucks or Ulta Beauty at Target, or Samsung and Apple at Best Buy.

While a Subway or Starbucks might feel more secluded or clearly separated from the rest of the store, Ulta within Target presents a different experience. Often found near toiletries or beauty products, it’s more open and doesn’t feel like a standalone entity. Models like this introduce unique retail security challenges.

In a SWAS environment, the host store and tenant store often share security resources, like cameras, alarms, and security personnel. At first, this might seem like an efficient setup—one security system covering a large space. But in reality, it can lead to confusion about who’s responsible for monitoring different areas. When it’s unclear who’s in charge, some spots can end up being overlooked, creating security blind spots.

These gaps make it easier for theft or other incidents, like fraud or damage, to go unnoticed. Employees or customers might slip through without being properly monitored, especially in shared areas where it’s hard to tell which store owns which section. Without clear ownership and a streamlined security system, these gaps can really compromise the overall safety of the store.

Solution:
Some retailers treat a store within a store as merely a merchandising rearrangement. However, it’s much more. It’s practically its own entity, with its own products—and sometimes, its own employees. For example, a beauty store inside a big box store should be run by its own staff, not the big box employees.

Instead of just another product display change, make sure all your staff are onboarded. This includes everyone, from loss prevention specialists to cashiers. Make it clear who’s responsible for what. Will your store employees handle customer requests, or will the tenant store staff take care of that? Who’s in charge of restocking? And what’s the protocol for suspected shoplifting?

By setting clear responsibilities, you’ll avoid confusion and ensure a strong chain of command in case of theft.

The very idea behind a store within a store is to boost foot traffic, which means no barriers to entry. Customers can move easily between sections, making shopping more convenient. But this open setup also makes it easier for shoplifters to steal, as products—whether from the host store or the tenant store—are left out in the open.

Employees and customers can wander between areas without restrictions. This increases the chances of theft. Plus, products from different stores get mixed up, making it easier for items to be stolen without anyone noticing, known as cross-merchandising theft. The lack of clear boundaries between sections makes everything that much more vulnerable to theft.

Solution:
To address this issue, InVue’s LIVE Locks provide smart access control that’s perfect for busy, open environments. They can be easily added to existing fixtures or built into new custom displays, giving you peace of mind that your products stay secure.

LIVE Locks let customers use their smartphones to unlock drawers and displays holding valuable merchandise. For instance, if a customer wants to check out a premium fragrance, you can send them a one-time code to unlock the display, keeping everything safe.

What’s great about LIVE Locks is that you can always track who accessed what and when, thanks to the visibility the system provides. And once the code is used, it expires immediately—so there’s no chance of reusing it, ensuring added security.

Because InVue products are part of a secure ecosystem, our merchandise display security solutions can seamlessly integrate into any store within a store environment. For smaller beauty items, our award-winning T1000 is designed to prevent sweeping theft, making it ideal for shop-in-shop settings, especially in beauty. After all, products like nail polish and lipstick are among the most stolen items in this category.

A store within a store setup can easily mimic an unattended retail environment, meaning there may be no employees in sight to oversee the tenant store. When employees aren’t briefed on which areas they’re responsible for, it can create confusion, leading to a lack of oversight. This makes it easier for internal theft to slip through the cracks, as staff may have access to both the host store and tenant store merchandise.

Solution:
To mitigate the risk of internal theft, InVue’s Smart Locks provide the perfect solution, allowing you to manage employee access and protect high-value merchandise. These locks can be fitted to existing fixtures or incorporated into custom-built displays, ensuring that your products are always secure.

With Smart Locks, you can use InVue’s patented OneKEY or a smartphone to unlock drawers and displays containing valuable items like electronics, designer makeup, or fragrances. The best part? You get to decide who has access.

For instance, you can assign unique access codes to employees, ensuring that only authorized individuals can handle specific products. If John is only authorized to work in electronics, his PIN will grant him access only to the electronics displays and products in that section. Meanwhile, Jane might have access to the tenant store for restocking and other tasks. John and Jane won’t be able to use each other’s access, and if a key is lost or stolen, it will immediately expire, preventing any unauthorized use. This way, you have full control over who handles what and when.

What’s more, every access attempt is logged, so you’ll have an audit trail showing who accessed each display and when. This provides a level of accountability that helps prevent internal theft and ensures employees are following the proper protocols.

Strengthen Store Within a Store Security with InVue

The “store within a store” model offers many benefits but also presents unique security challenges. By integrating InVue’s advanced security solutions—such as smart locks, surveillance systems, inventory tracking, and employee access control—you can effectively address these vulnerabilities. InVue’s technology empowers you to safeguard your merchandise, streamline store operations, and enhance the shopping experience for both customers and staff.

Ready to strengthen the security of your store within a store? Contact us today to learn how our tailored solutions can help reduce loss, improve inventory accuracy, and protect your business.