When budgets tighten and economic pressures mount, security is often the first line item questioned.

But here's the reality: challenging times don't reduce the need for security - they increase it.

Matthew Murray, our Retail Security Manager for New Zealand and Australia, knows this better than anyone.

Over the past 12 months, he's been navigating an industry caught between rising crime rates and shrinking budgets, proving that smart strategy and collaboration can deliver real results even when resources are stretched thin.

The Challenge.... More Crime, Less Margin for Error

Retail crime isn't slowing down. If anything, it's evolving - becoming more brazen AND more organised. At the same time, retailers are facing tighter margins, cautious consumer spending and tough decisions about where to invest.

Security can feel like an expense - until something happens. Then it becomes the most valuable investment you didn't know you needed.

Matthew's approach has been to shift that perception entirely. Instead of positioning security as a cost, he's focused on demonstrating tangible value: safer staff, reduced losses, faster resolutions and environments where customers actually want to shop.

Building Solutions That Work

Matthew's work over the past year has centred on developing industry leading security solutions and driving proactive responses at the local level.

He's delivered targeted staff safety training, helping frontline teams recognise risks before they escalate.

He's worked directly with retail and mall management to identify emerging crime trends and implement tailored prevention strategies. And he's supported clients in tracking high risk repeat offenders - resulting in quicker apprehensions and noticeably safer stores.

Bringing the Right People Together

Over the past year, Matthew hosted retail security meetings across the country—bringing together retailers, mall management teams, our security and district teams, Police, and strategic industry partners at Tauranga Crossing, Northlands, DressSmart Hornby, Manawa Bay, and Rotorua Central. He also ran a session with Auckland Council focused on high-end retail and Auckland CBD clients.

These meetings are  about building networks. Creating spaces where people dealing with these challenges every day can compare notes, share what's working, and walk away with practical solutions they can implement immediately.

One standout achievement has been strengthening relationships with New Zealand Police at both national and district levels. These partnerships are active, collaborative efforts that have led to better incident outcomes, more accurate offender identification and genuine confidence in what NZ Police and security can achieve together.

The momentum isn't slowing down. Over the next 12 months, Matthew's focused on rolling out even more innovative solutions to tackle the evolving challenges of retail crime.

The economic climate might remain uncertain. Budgets might stay tight. But what's clear is this: when security is done right - strategically, collaboratively and with a genuine focus on outcomes it's not an expense.

Want to explore how we could improve your security outcomes in the same way we have for so many other retailers this year? Matthew's always up for a conversation about what's working, what's not and where the opportunities are.

If you need immediate support or you're planning ahead for 2026, let's talk about how we can help you achieve better results.