Currency Manipulations and Preventive Mechanisms: A Brief Guide for Retail Businesses

Cash is the king and where there is cash there are always chances of cash shrinkage. Retail businesses face the challenge of handling a large cash volume on a daily basis. Dealing with a large amount of cash increases the probability of manipulations and leads to internal and external thefts. The blog post discusses cash shrinkage challenges faced by the retail stores along with possible preventive mechanisms.

1. Cash Theft

Internal cash thefts take place as a result of discrepancy in the cash handling process. A cashier can collect money and not make an entry in the cash register, which makes it easy to remove the cash at the end of the shift. Such cash manipulations are often unnoticed due the absence of an automated process to record each transaction.

Using an automated cash safe can prevent such instances of theft. A cash safe not only stores money but creates an electronic record of every cash transaction. Automated cash management systems provide real-time reports to audit the cash transactions. Cash safes eliminate the need for handling cash manually, minimizing the possibility of manipulations and reduces the instances of internal and external thefts.

Why More Businesses Use Automated Cash Handling Safes

When shopping, customers have a few options available to them where they can pay for a transaction -- credit card, debit card or cash. Credit and debit card transactions come with a cost for the retailer. When a customer pays for a transaction with a credit or debit card, the retailer has to pay a certain amount of fees in order to process the payment.

So there’s no question as to why a retailer would prefer cash. When a customer pays in cash, the transaction costs the retailer nothing. However, a significant amount of time is wasted every day in the manual handling of cash. Retail managers and employees must take time away from their customers to carefully attend to the chore of cash counting, sorting and bookkeeping.

In manual cash handling, the cash is kept in a drawer or vault until the authorized person deposits the money into the bank, or hands it over to an armored cash transport company. This is where automated cash handling safes have become quite useful.


Retail Businesses Lose When Using the Manual Cash Handling Method: 

• A retailer is unable to use the cash until it gets deposited into the bank
• If a retail company seeks the services of a cash management company, it will incur additional expenses
• There are higher chances of error due to human intervention for the manual counting and recording of cash

One of the largest concerns for retailers is internal shrinkage when handling the process manually. It has been observed that shrinkage from internal sources is more worrisome for retailers than preventing cash from external threats such as robbery. The average business experiences a cash shrinkage of at least one percent each year, thus resulting in smaller profit margins.

In order to prevent loss, many businesses are automating their cash handling systems. From automated cash counting and provisional credit on deposits, to the safeguarding that cash handling safes provide, smart safes have turned out to be an ideal investment. These safes allow retail stores and other businesses to utilize their time more efficiently.

If your business accepts large amounts of cash on a daily basis, then cash handling safes can be quite handy. Apart from reducing the chances of error, you are also giving your employees more time to devote to customer service.

Coin Acceptor - A Smart Solution for Cash Management

A coin acceptor is an electronic device that validates coins deposited based on physical properties. The machine checks the diameter, magnetic content and thickness, and then sends a signal to the output connector. Once deposited, the coins take different routes to start the validation process depending on its mech. Whichever route the coin follows, it will pass through a series of sensors.

Optical and inductive are some of the most common sensors that are used for this purpose. While the optical sensors use light beams to measure the size of the coins, the inductive sensors help in determining the denomination and type. These measurements are done quickly. After the coins have been scanned, the validator decides whether to accept or reject the coins that have been deposited. When the coins pass through the sensors the readings are compared with a pre-programmed parameter that exists in the memory of the coin acceptor. If the coin is not valid, it’s routed back to the reject cup. This will save time and also help you detect counterfeit coins within a short span of time

Advantages of Using an Advanced Cash Management System
Advanced cash management systems  increase workplace efficiency.  Cashiers don’t have to recount coins at regular intervals with a coin collector. It also increases accountability as bills and coins are verified for the denomination and immediately stored in the safe. The main advantage of using an advanced cash management system like a coin acceptor is that it helps in detecting counterfeit coins. 

Multiple Benefits of a Cash Dispenser

There was a prevalent belief that profit is the indicator of a successful business. Eventually, it has been realized that inefficient cash management and lack of control over cash flows can hamper the company’s competent ability. To enhance operational efficiency and security, cash intensive businesses including convenience stores, grocery stores, hotels, casinos and restaurants should adopt effective cash management safes.

Until today, numerous retailers prefer manual cash management systems. The traditional mode of counting comes with various shortcomings. Technologically advanced cash dispensing safes come with multiple advantages such as cash flow processes, daily balancing, smooth transactions and member interactions. Cash dispensers also reduced cash handling, thus improving workplace safety.

Dispense Change: In the cash dispensing safes, the manager can load currency or coins into the safes. This effectively offers secure and free access to the employees throughout the day. The machine also offers an inner visual inventory which makes it more efficient.

Fund Validation: If you want to install a cash dispensing safe, look for manufacturers who offer safes with quality bill validators. Cashiers can use the safe to validate large notes. This immediately reduces the risk of discrepancy with the customers. With the bill acceptance, the counted cash is efficiently secured in cassettes for convenient deposit.

Efficient Recording of Activity: Once the deposit is done, all the interactions are recorded electronically. This not only helps in generating reports but the personal identification pin is extremely useful in the auditing of end of the day activity and user reports. Cash dispensing safes make the most crucial information easily available!

Security: Securing and protecting cash is definitely the most crucial function of the safe. Constructed with rigorous standards, each point of access is securely protected and this lowers the risk of burglary.

Cash Control: Effective cash control has always remained a matter of concern for businesses. With seamless accounting between the bank and the POS, smart safes offer the best cash control by limiting cash exposure. Additionally, it increases profitability and enforces some of the best corporate policies.

So, if you run a convenience store, casino, amusement park or restaurant, make sure you use a cash dispenser to enhance security and operational efficiency.