Retail Shopping Mall Security: Raising Awareness of Crime Risks Against Business in Zimbabwe (A Case Study of Joina City Shopping Mall, Harare—June 2011–July 2012)

Abstract

This research study was set out to carry exploratory work on local level security and rates of crime against business, develop insights, and raise awareness of security and crime risks at office/retail shopping malls in Harare, Zimbabwe, built upon the methodology and practice of a “premises survey” carried out at Joina City Mall as a case study (June 2011–July 2012). Arguing on the basis that the topic of crime against business, particularly the retail shopping mall premised businesses (fast food restaurants, grocery stores, clothing shops, chemists, jewelry shops, and banks, among others), has received considerable attention, but only in an “international”—particularly “Western” countries, national and social—context, it is still underexplored in mainly emerging economies like Zimbabwe, and given its growth and revenue of this sector, it is prudent that considerable research be conducted to determine the best practices to keep facilities, tenants, their staff, and customers safe. Finally, bench marking on the total security systems approach, the article further argues that office/shopping mall facilities desire an effective security program designed to aid prevention and reduction of crime by incorporating on the whole and/or into potential targets features which make criminal activity less appealing for the criminal and/or disrupt the causes of the criminal events. This to say that, while no one variable of itself may attain the desired results, depending on the risks, several can coordinate to attain even better results. For example, in this case, to help create a safer shopping environment and grow businesses at town/city malls.