How much does CCTV cost for a retail store?
The cost of CCTV for a retail store depends on the number of cameras, the camera type, how much recording you need and how hard the cabling is. A small shop and a large store with a stockroom are different jobs, so we do not publish one figure. Send a camera count and photos, and we price your shop.
By Sebastian Grabowski, DC Fire & Security, Luton. Updated November 2026.
What decides the price
| Factor | Why it moves the price |
|---|---|
| Number of cameras | Every camera needs a position, a cable and a licence on the recorder. |
| Camera type | Entrance and till cameras need enough detail to identify a face or a transaction. A wide shop-floor view needs less. |
| Cabling | Suspended ceilings, shopfronts, solid walls and landlord rules change the time on site. |
| Recorder and storage | More cameras and longer retention need a larger recorder. |
| Remote viewing | Checking the shop from your phone is common and needs a good internet connection. |
| Monitoring and extras | Public view monitors, monitored response and links to the alarm add to the job. |
| After-hours working | Fitting while the shop is open, or at night, changes the time it takes. |
Where a shop needs cameras
Most shop crime falls in a few places, and camera positions follow them.
- The entrance. A camera at face height catches everyone coming in, which is the picture that identifies people.
- The tills. One camera on the counter, covering the transaction and the person serving.
- The shop floor. Wide views of high-value or easily taken stock, set so shelving does not block them.
- The stockroom and back door. Staff and deliveries move through here, and it is where internal loss and break-ins tend to show up.
- Outside. A shopfront or yard camera helps with damage, ram raids and rough sleepers in a doorway.
A smaller shop might manage with four cameras. A large store needs many more, and the layout, rather than the floor area, decides how many.
Running costs
The installation is not the only cost. A yearly service visit and remote health check typically starts from around £250 a year. Some customers add monitored response, cloud backup or app licences, each with its own charge. Ask for these to be shown separately in any quote so you can compare like with like. Our guide to CCTV maintenance contracts explains what a plan should include.
Rules for a shop
CCTV that records customers and staff is covered by data protection law. The ICO expects a clear purpose, signs at the entrance, secure storage and footage that is not kept longer than needed. Our guide to CCTV signage shows what a sign should say. Our CCTV work is done by an SSAIB certificated company.
What to send us for a price
- The number of floors and a rough sketch of the shop and stockroom
- Photos of the entrance, the tills, the stockroom and the back door
- The ceiling type, and whether you own or lease the building
- How long you want to keep footage
- Whether you want to watch from your phone
We also have a general guide to CCTV installation cost in the UK, and a guide on where to position cameras.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cameras does a small shop need?
Do I need CCTV signs in my shop?
Can I watch my shop cameras from my phone?
Does CCTV go with a shop alarm?
Send us photos or your report
Email photos, your report or the system details to info@dcsecurity.co.uk, or use the form. We usually come back with a price the same day. Luton, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and London.
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