flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Dark Deliveries in Retail Stores

Sponsored Content

Dark Deliveries in Retail Stores

Wireless Access Control Allows for Safe Deliveries During Retail Off-Hours


By SALTO Systems | October 24, 2023
Man and woman with a lot of boxes, open van door
Retail managers don’t need to be onsite to allow access, and they can specify certain windows of time during which delivery drivers can access the facility, all from a smartphone or computer.

“Dark deliveries” is a term that refers to receiving shipments in retail facilities when the store is closed or minimally staffed. “This can happen late at night, early in the morning, or when the retail operation is outside its peak activity mode,” says John Wright, Retail & Fitness Industry Business Leader at SALTO Systems.

While dark deliveries aren’t a new concept, they’ve recently gained more attention due to the increase in e-commerce and the need for efficient, round-the-clock operations. Wright notes that the Covid-19 pandemic also increased the trend toward dark deliveries in order to minimize interpersonal contact. “What’s new, however, is the advanced wireless access control technology — like SALTO KS — that makes managing dark deliveries more secure and efficient than ever before,” he adds.

The Basics of Wireless Access Control

One of the important features of wireless access control is how it is able to manage permissions remotely. Retail managers don’t need to be onsite to allow access, and they can specify certain windows of time during which delivery drivers can access the facility, all from a smartphone or computer.

This level of control has multiple benefits. It not only limits delivery access to specific windows of time during off-hours — it records who entered the facility and when. If a security issue should arise, this audit trail is key to investigating it. If unauthorized access should occur or a door is left open, real-time notifications alert management of the breach.

Another important benefit of wireless access control is how easy the system is to install. It doesn’t require expensive wiring and allows for a faster and smoother transition to dark deliveries. And as the retail operation grows, wireless systems are easier to scale up than traditional wired systems. This might involve additional retail locations, storage facilities or loading docks.

How Wireless Access Works

Wireless access control is managed remotely in the cloud. Access permissions are configured through a centralized management platform, usually accessible through a web browser or mobile app. This enables management to adjust permissions as necessary from anywhere at any time.

Entry to the facility can be scheduled for specific hours. However, should a delivery driver arrive at an unscheduled time, temporary access can be granted. For one-time or infrequent drivers, temporary access codes can be issued which expire after a set period of time. In an emergency situation, doors can be instantly locked or unlocked from the management platform, allowing for a quick response.

Security is an important feature of wireless access control. It can be set up to require multi-factor authentication, necessitating a second form of verification to enter the facility. Additional security is also provided through advanced encryption applied to the data collected by the system. “This ensures that information like access codes and logs are secure from cyberthreats,” says Wright. He notes that wireless access control can also integrate with other security systems, like closed-circuit TV, alarms and inventory control systems, becoming an integral part of a comprehensive security strategy.

Because the locks are battery-operated, they are easy to install and maintain, requiring no wiring. Battery life can be monitored remotely, ensuring the locks are always operational.

Man using wireless key access to enter a retail store


Real Benefits

Wireless access control reduces shrinkage, says Wright. “One of the primary areas where retailers experience losses is through shrinkage, which includes theft, fraud and inventory errors. Wireless access control helps by strictly regulating who has access to inventory areas, thereby reducing opportunities for theft.” The audit trails provided by the wireless systems makes it easy to track who has been where and when. This increases accountability among staff and contractors, and deters theft and mishandling of goods.

For retail businesses with compliance concerns, failing to adhere to regulations about who can access certain areas and when they’re permitted to can result in significant fines. Wireless access control monitors facility security and helps retailers avoid these financial penalties.

These systems offer additional financial benefits as well. Insurance premiums may be reduced due to decreased opportunity for theft, and the number of staff required to be on-premises during off-hours to receive deliveries can be reduced.

Other benefits include:

  • Reduced risk of litigation by providing evidence in the event of an incident
  • Vendor accountability, ensuring that deliveries are being made on time
  • Providing cleaning and maintenance crew access during off-hours
  • The ability to better manage energy usage, since smart access can be integrated with lighting and climate control systems
  • Private shopping appointments for VIP customers

The real benefits of wireless access control can’t be overstated. Having complete control of who enters the retail establishment and when provides additional security, efficiency and financial advantages that mechanical locks simply cannot.

Related Stories

The Changing Built Environment | Sep 23, 2024

Half-century real estate data shows top cities for multifamily housing, self-storage, and more

Research platform StorageCafe has conducted an analysis of U.S. real estate activity from 1980 to 2023, focusing on six major sectors: single-family, multifamily, industrial, office, retail, and self-storage.

Mixed-Use | Sep 19, 2024

A Toronto development will transform a 32-acre shopping center site into a mixed-use urban neighborhood

Toronto developers Mattamy Homes and QuadReal Property Group have launched The Clove, the first phase in the Cloverdale, a $6 billion multi-tower development. The project will transform Cloverdale Mall, a 32-acre shopping center in Toronto, into a mixed-use urban neighborhood.

3D Printing | Sep 17, 2024

Alquist 3D and Walmart complete one of the nation’s largest free-standing, 3D-printed commercial structures

Walmart has completed one of the largest free-standing, 3D-printed commercial structures in the US. Alquist 3D printed the almost 8,000-sf, 20-foot-high addition to a Walmart store in Athens, Tenn. The expansion, which will be used for online pickup and delivery, is the first time Walmart has applied 3D printing technology at this scale. 

Retail Centers | Sep 17, 2024

Thinking outside the big box (store)

For over a decade now, the talk of the mall industry has been largely focused on what developers can do to fill the voids left by a steady number of big box store closures. But what do you do when big box tenants stay put?

Mass Timber | Sep 17, 2024

Marina del Rey mixed-use development is L.A.’s largest mass timber project

An office-retail project in Marina del Rey is Los Angeles’ largest mass timber project to date. Encompassing about 3 acres, the 42XX campus consists of three low-rise buildings that seamlessly connect with exterior walkways and stairways. The development provides 151,000 sf of office space and 1,500 sf of retail space.

Mixed-Use | Aug 21, 2024

Adaptive reuse of a Sears store becomes luxury mixed-use housing

6 Corners Lofts at 4714 W Irving Park Road, Chicago, Ill., opened in March of 2024 as a 394,000-sf adaptive reuse project born out of a former Sears store.

Adaptive Reuse | Jul 30, 2024

Empty mall to be converted to UCLA Research Park

UCLA recently acquired a former mall that it will convert into the UCLA Research Park that will house the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy at UCLA and the UCLA Center for Quantum Science and Engineering, as well as programs across other disciplines. The 700,000-sf property, formerly the Westside Pavilion shopping mall, is two miles from the university’s main Westwood campus. Google, which previously leased part of the property, helped enable and support UCLA’s acquisition.

Smart Buildings | Jul 25, 2024

A Swiss startup devises an intelligent photovoltaic façade that tracks and moves with the sun

Zurich Soft Robotics says Solskin can reduce building energy consumption by up to 80% while producing up to 40% more electricity than comparable façade systems.

Urban Planning | May 28, 2024

‘Flowing’ design emphasizes interaction at Bellevue, Wash., development

The three-tower 1,030,000-sf office and retail development designed by Graphite Design Group in collaboration with Compton Design Office for Vulcan Real Estate is attracting some of the world’s largest names in tech and hospitality. 

Mixed-Use | May 22, 2024

Multifamily properties above ground-floor grocers continue to see positive rental premiums

Optimizing land usage is becoming an even bigger priority for developers. In some city centers, many large grocery stores sprawl across valuable land.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




Retail Centers

Thinking outside the big box (store)

For over a decade now, the talk of the mall industry has been largely focused on what developers can do to fill the voids left by a steady number of big box store closures. But what do you do when big box tenants stay put?

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021