Retail & Independent Business

As a business owner, you’ve invested your own money into your building, signage, merchandise and equipment. Just one incident involving any of this property can significantly impact your business’s chances for survival. In fact, property exposures in retail operations can come from many sources, including natural disasters, extreme weather, customers, employees and vandalism.

Retail stores depend on functioning equipment to service their customers effectively. With an equipment breakdown (e.g., a power outage occurs), retail operations can experience business interruptions or even prolonged closures. A business owner’s computer, mechanical, electrical and HVAC systems all have the potential to break down, causing major disruptions.

Crime can be a challenge for retail stores, especially as they are the target for a variety of different types of scams. Business owners can have product stolen or damaged by shoplifters. In addition, criminals can easily steal money through robberies, money fraud, checkout fraud, refund fraud and online scams.

With a number of individuals entering and exiting your store, premises liability exposures are significant and, when injuries occur, you could be held responsible. Accidents related to slips, trips, falls, equipment and unauthorized access to your building are common and major sources of concern. Something as simple as a wet floor or an uneven surface can lead to costly insurance claims following an incident.

Customers expect you to have safe and reliable products, and failing to meet these expectations can lead to financial losses. If one of the products you sell harms a customer, they can sue your business, leading to costly legal fees and settlements. Costs can easily reach six figures, making product liability a major concern for retail owners. While you may do everything in your power to ensure your products are safe, mishaps can still occur without warning.

Continuity is critical in business, there are few things more important than continuous revenue and cash flow, particularly for small to medium-sized organizations. Just one brief business interruption can be incredibly costly for a retail store, often leading to reputational damages or closures. Common interruptions can include natural disasters, fires, product recalls, cyber events, staff shortages and supplier issues.

Retail operations are a common target for cyber criminals, as these businesses often process a high volume of credit and debit card information. Also, employees who are improperly trained on computer and data safety could put your organization at risk to ransomware, viruses, phishing scams and malware.

Depending on the services your store offers, employees may be required to operate a vehicle on behalf of your business, creating automobile exposures. While important for daily operations, the improper use of a vehicle can lead to potential accidents and insurance claims.