CCTV Packages for Shops and Small Businesses: How Many Cameras Are Enough
A small shop rarely needs many cameras. It needs cameras at the right points, recordings that are actually stored, and phone access.
For a shop or small business, a 4-camera package is often enough, and 8 cameras for a shop with a storeroom or two floors. These numbers are only a starting point. The risk points at your location still decide.
Which points matter most?
- The entrance. A face-height camera so people entering are clearly visible, not only the tops of heads.
- The cash desk. An angle that shows the till and transaction area without capturing customer data screens.
- Aisles. One wide camera can cover an aisle, not one per shelf.
- Storeroom or back door. Loading points and access that are rarely watched.
- Parking or porch if present, with an outdoor camera.
What should a package include?
- Cameras suited to each point (indoor or outdoor) and their number.
- A recorder (DVR or NVR) with spare channels.
- A hard disk sized from the retention period, not just "1 TB".
- Cable, power supply or PoE, and installation.
- Phone access setup and brief training.
- Warranty and who to call when something breaks.
How many days of footage should you keep?
For a shop, 14 to 30 days usually covers losses discovered late. Disk capacity is bitrate times days. The calculation is in our CCTV installation cost guide. More cameras and higher resolution need a bigger disk.
Common mistakes
- Cameras mounted so high that only the top of heads shows.
- Cameras facing glass or bright outside light so faces are dark.
- A disk too small, so old footage is overwritten within days.
- Never checking that recording is running.
- Default passwords left unchanged.
What about customer and staff privacy?
Post a sign that the area is under CCTV, avoid private areas such as changing rooms or toilets, and limit who can open recordings. For help choosing camera type see IP vs analog CCTV.
Sentra handles survey, installation and phone access setup. See CCTV procurement and installation and the VIGI CCTV catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
How many cameras are enough for a small shop?
For a one-room shop, 3 to 4 cameras (door, cash desk, two aisles) are often enough. A shop with a storeroom or two floors usually needs 6 to 8. Confirm with a survey.
Can CCTV be viewed from a phone?
Yes, as long as the recorder is connected to the internet and access is set up securely, for example through the manufacturer's app with a strong password.
What happens if power or internet goes down?
The recorder stops when power fails unless there is a UPS. If the internet goes down, local recording continues; only remote access is cut.
Does a shop need AI cameras?
Not necessarily. Start with reliable recording. Features such as visitor counting are only useful if you will use the data.
Tell us about the process. We'll help map out the most proportionate approach.
