How to Deter Theft at Your Roadside Stand: Protecting Your Blooms and Business
Picture this—it’s a sunny day and your flower stand is brimming with colorful blooms. Customers are stopping by to grab some for themselves while you’re working out running errands. You stop back at the end of the day and find your flowers gone but your cash box and online bank account don’t add up. Someone took flowers without paying for them.
Sometimes people take advantage of grab-and-go products and it's disheartening to see your precious flowers vanish without a penny in return.
It’s a problem anyone with a flower stand faces, so I want to give you some practical strategies to help you prevent theft at your roadside stand. We work too hard out in our fields and gardens to get discouraged by theft.
Select the Right Location for Your Roadside Stand
Choosing the right location for your flower stand can make a world of difference.
If possible, try to place your stand in high-traffic areas with good visibility. A spot that's easily visible from the street or sidewalk is less likely to take a hit, since there’s a higher chance of other people being around.
My flower stand is at my house, out in the country, down my long driveway. It’s definitely not a high-traffic spot—so I understand locating your flower stand in a public location isn’t always an option. But I would consider it in a visible area since it is right in front of our living room and kitchen window.
Be Present When the Stand is Open
I like to be “around” or present when the stand is open. While you don’t need to be at the stand babysitting, be around. What does this mean? Doing yard work. Waving outside your window. Deadheading your field. Playing catch with your kids. Harvesting. Not only is this a great way to humanize your business, but people are also less likely to steal when you’re nearby.
Put Security Measures in Place
Aside from your stand location, you can implement other security measures at your stand to help deter theft. Here are some options:
Install a bright light: Bright lighting can deter would-be thievest—they're less likely to take risks when they feel exposed.
Place security cameras near your flower stand: Ideally put them in a place where customers can see them. Not only will they act as a visual deterrent, but they can also help you identify anyone who does decide to steal flowers or money. Consider adding a sign that tells people that they’re on camera.
Secure your cash box: If you allow your customers to pay cash, secure your cash box to your stand so nobody can try to steal it. Bolt it, lock it, do whatever you need to do so someone can’t easily pick it up and walk away with it.
Take mobile payments: Offering a way for your customers to pay online means you’ll likely have less cash in the cash box. And that means less cash to steal. You could even consider eliminating cash entirely, depending on what your customers prefer.
The Power of Signage and Communication
Believe it or not, clear and friendly signage can be a powerful theft deterrent. When you prominently display your prices and payment instructions, potential thieves don’t have an excuse about not understanding what you charge.
You can also use positive language to remind customers that their honesty supports local flower farmers like you. Sometimes, all it takes is a gentle nudge to deter negative behavior.
Cultivate a Positive and Honest Environment
Similar to using positive language in your signage, creating a welcoming and friendly atmosphere can actually discourage theft. Engage with your customers, chat about your blooms, and build relationships with them. When they feel connected to you and your flower stand, they're more likely to value your hard work and honesty.
Educating your customers about the honor system is also essential. Most people genuinely want to support local businesses like ours.
Limit Hours
If your stand is open all day, every day, there is opportunity for theft all day, every day. Limit the hours your stand is open. By limiting the hours your stand is open, you will diminish theft because you won’t have product and cash available for the taking.
When our flower stand is open, it is just for a couple hours - generally from 8-10 in the morning. And I will empty the cash box right after closing the stand.
How to Deal with Flower Stand Theft
Even when we put all the best measures in place, theft can still happen. If you find that someone has stolen flowers or cash, there are a few next steps to consider:
If you have cameras set up, review footage and see if you can determine when theft happened.
If you have footage of intentional theft, you’ve had a significant amount of money or flowers stolen, or you experience recurring theft, document the situation and file a police report.
Let your customers know you experienced theft. As mentioned earlier, your loyal customers will help keep an eye out. If the thief sees your post or message about theft, they may be less likely to do it again, since they know people will be watching.
It sucks to deal with, but try to take it as an opportunity to learn and improve your security measures.
Protecting your flower stand is an unfortunate, but sometimes necessary part of running a flower business. But when you choose the right location, create a welcoming environment, and implement smart practices, you can usually prevent most theft. I hope these tips help you prevent theft from ever happening.