Where to Place CCTV Cameras in a Shop: 7 Spots That Matter
Short answer: in a shop, put cameras where they capture faces and money: the entrance from inside, the cash counter from above and from the customer side, the outside front and shutter, the main floor, high-value displays, the stockroom door and the back door. Mount them about 2.4 to 3 metres high, out of reach, and close enough to the spot that a face fills a good part of the picture. A practical five-camera Wi-Fi setup from our store comes to about ₹16,200 at live prices, including GST.
Our shop and showroom security checklist covers the full picture: shutter sensors, alarms and panic buttons. This guide goes deeper on one part of it, where exactly the cameras should go so that the recording is useful when you need it.
Why does camera placement matter more than camera count?
Most shop owners discover the problem only after an incident: the camera recorded the theft, but the face is a small blur, or the person is only seen from the back of the head. A camera is useful only if it is close enough to identify a person and pointed at the right place. Two well-placed cameras beat six cameras on the ceiling corners.
Camera datasheets often give "DORI" distances, which make this concrete. The CP Plus CP-URC-TC24PL3C-L-V2 with its 3.6 mm lens lists 55 m to detect a person, 22 m to observe, 11 m to recognise and 5.5 m to identify. In other words, to identify a face with that lens, the person must be within about 5 metres of the camera.
The 7 spots that matter in a shop
- Entrance, from inside, facing the door. Every customer and every intruder passes here. Mount the camera inside, above and slightly to one side of the door, aimed at the doorway at an angle that sees faces as people walk in. Keep it within identification distance of the door.
- Cash counter, from above. A camera behind and above the counter that looks down at the drawer, the billing table and the hands. This settles cash disputes and staff questions.
- Cash counter, from the customer side. A second view facing the customer standing at the counter. It records the face of anyone paying, arguing, or snatching. If you can only afford one camera here, choose this one plus a good entrance camera.
- Outside front and shutter. An outdoor camera covering the shutter, the shop front and the pavement or parking. Most break-ins happen after closing, at the shutter. Choose a camera with night vision and a weather rating, and fix it under the shop's sunshade or board.
- Main floor and aisles. A wide or pan-tilt camera from a corner, covering the floor and aisles where shoplifting happens. Aim along the aisles, not across them.
- High-value displays. Mobile counters, jewellery showcases, cosmetics and perfume shelves. A fixed camera close to the display, so items and hands are clear.
- Stockroom door and back door. These are the common points for staff pilferage and after-hours entry. One camera that sees the door and the face of whoever uses it.
How high and at what angle should shop cameras go?
- Height: about 2.4 to 3 metres (8 to 10 feet). High enough that nobody can reach or turn it, low enough to see faces rather than the tops of heads.
- Angle: tilt down gently. A camera pointing almost straight down shows heads; a camera pointing level sees faces but is easy to block.
- Backlight: do not point an indoor camera straight at a bright glass door or window. Faces turn into dark shapes. Mount it beside the door, facing inward, or choose a camera with WDR or DWDR; the CP-Z43Q lists DWDR.
- Night: keep a small light on near the shutter at night, even if the camera has infrared. Colour night vision models, such as those with white LEDs, give a more useful picture.
- Privacy: never point cameras into trial rooms or washrooms. Put up a "CCTV in operation" sign at the entrance.
Which cameras fit which spot?
| Camera | Type | Good spot | What the listing states | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CP Plus CP-V48A | Wi-Fi, fixed bullet | Outside front, entrance, counter | 4MP, outdoor bullet, 8 IR and 12 LED lights, mic and speaker, motion alerts, privacy mode | ₹2,899 |
| CP Plus CP-Z43Q | Wi-Fi, pan-tilt | Main floor, aisles | 4MP, pan 345° tilt 70°, horizontal view 91.3°, IR 15 m, IP65, motion tracking, micro SD up to 256 GB | ₹3,499 |
| Trueview T18290S | Wi-Fi, pan-tilt | Back lane, loading area | 3MP, IP65, all-time colour, 6 presets, smart tracking | ₹3,649 |
| Trueview T18296S | Wi-Fi, pan-tilt | Stockroom, indoor floor | 3MP, horizontal 352°, all-time colour, 6 presets; no weather rating listed | ₹3,999 |
| CP Plus CP-URC-TC24PL3C-L-V2 | Wired analog HD bullet | Outside front in a wired system | 1920 × 1080, IR 30 m, warm light 20 m, built-in mic; needs a compatible recorder | ₹4,599 |
The wired CP-URC camera needs a recorder. We do not list a DVR at the moment, so WhatsApp us if you want a wired system; our analog HD vs IP guide explains which recorder each camera type needs.
Example: cameras for a one-counter shop
Assumed: one entrance with a shutter, one counter, one floor, one stockroom; Wi-Fi in the shop; memory cards not included. The CP-Z43Q and Trueview models list micro SD cards up to 256 GB; check the CP-V48A product page for its storage options.
| Spot | Camera | Qty | Line total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside front and shutter | CP Plus CP-V48A | 1 | ₹2,899 |
| Entrance, from inside | CP Plus CP-V48A | 1 | ₹2,899 |
| Counter, customer side | CP Plus CP-V48A | 1 | ₹2,899 |
| Main floor | CP Plus CP-Z43Q | 1 | ₹3,499 |
| Stockroom door | Trueview T18296S | 1 | ₹3,999 |
| Total | ₹16,195 | ||
Add a second counter camera from above, or a camera at the back door, as the budget allows. Our pan-tilt vs fixed Wi-Fi camera guide explains why the counter and entrance use fixed cameras while the floor uses a pan-tilt.
Where should the recorder and router go?
Thieves who know about cameras go for the recorder. Keep the router, any recorder and the power supply out of sight, in a locked cabinet or a back office, not on the counter. A wall-mount RK-2U rack with lock costs ₹1,450. Put the router and cameras on an inverter or UPS line so recording continues during power cuts. With Wi-Fi cameras, the memory card stays in each camera, so fix cameras high and out of reach.
Quick checks after installing
- Walk in through the door and check that your face is clear on playback, not just live view.
- Stand at the counter and check that the drawer, notes and hands are visible.
- Check the outside camera at night with the shop lights off.
- Confirm how many days the recording keeps before it overwrites.
- Check that motion alerts reach the owner's phone, and the manager's if needed.
For prices of every camera type, see the CCTV camera price guide. Browse CCTV cameras and shop and showroom security, or plan cameras, alarms and locks together in the security system builder.
FAQ
How many CCTV cameras does a small shop need?
Most single-counter shops need four to six: outside front, entrance, counter, main floor and stockroom, plus the back door if there is one.
At what height should a CCTV camera be installed in a shop?
About 2.4 to 3 metres (8 to 10 feet). That keeps it out of reach while still showing faces rather than only the tops of heads.
Where should the camera go at the cash counter?
Ideally two views: one from above and behind to see the drawer and hands, and one facing the customer to record faces. If only one, face the customer.
Can I put a CCTV camera facing the glass door?
Avoid pointing straight at bright glass, because faces turn dark against the light. Mount the camera beside the door facing inward, or choose one that lists WDR or DWDR.
Is it legal to record customers in my shop?
Recording public areas of your shop for security is common practice. Never place cameras in trial rooms or washrooms, and put up a visible CCTV notice.
Do Wi-Fi cameras work for shops?
Yes, for small shops with good Wi-Fi. Models such as the CP-Z43Q record to a micro SD card, and they send motion alerts to your phone. Larger shops often prefer a wired system with a recorder.
Prices are NavKar Systems website prices on 27 October 2026, inclusive of GST, and may change.
