Automated and enhanced background checks for the retail sector
The retail sector is characterised by low margins, high employee turnover, and the handling of cash, goods, and customer data, increasing the risk of fraud and poor hiring decisions. Parts of the sector are also integrated into critical supply chains, requiring stronger controls and documentation. Systematic background checks of employees and partners with access to assets and data are therefore essential to prevent losses and ensure GDPR compliance. P-Secure digitises the entire process — from hiring to continuous re-checks — with full traceability.
Trusted companies in the retail sector use our platform
Compliance challenges in the retail sector
Retail companies must ensure that employees, contractors, and partners with access to critical functions undergo relevant background checks. Although the retail sector is not directly covered by the NIS2 Directive, partners and customers are increasingly requiring documented personnel security and access control across the supply chain.
Documentation of background checks must be up to date, consistent, and readily available as accurate, traceable, and audit-ready for insurers, partners, and, where relevant, authorities and certification bodies.
The retail sector is characterised by:
- A large number of internal and external stakeholders across stores, warehouses, and logistics functions
- Employees with access to cash, customer data, and valuable goods
- A need for documentation across organisations and locations
- High employee turnover and significant hiring volumes
This increases complexity and places high demands on consistent processes, creating a risk of limited oversight, manual errors, and time-consuming administration in relation to background checks, re-checks, and documentation.
Key features for the retail sector
P-Secure automates and standardises core elements of the background screening process and adapts it to the needs of the retail sector.
The solution supports, among other things:
Identity verification
Automate ID verification with national eIDs or passport
Criminal record checks
Systematic upload and auto check of criminal record
Work and residence permit check
Systematically verify work and residence permits to avoid fines and ensure legal compliance across all store and warehouse locations
Driving licence verification where relevant to the role
Verify the validity of driving licences for employees involved in goods transport or operating company vehicles
Recommended screening categories for background checks
P-Secure is working to establish a common standard for screening and background checks that can be applied across the sector. Download our recommended screening categories for the this sector.
Regulatory framework and P-Secure’s recommendations
The retail sector is not subject to the same sector-specific regulatory requirements as critical infrastructure, but it is subject to a range of requirements related to data protection, employment conditions, and operations.
Key requirements include:
- Compliance with the GDPR when handling customer data
- Valid work and residence permits
- Valid driver’s licences for relevant roles
Failure to verify work and residence permits may result in fines for the company.
P-Secure recommends a systematic approach to background checks, which as a minimum includes:
- ID verification
- CV verification — at least 5 years, including documentation of gaps
- Criminal record checks
- Driver’s licence checks for transport and logistics roles
- Work and residence permits
This provides a comprehensive, risk-based decision-making foundation that can be adapted to permanent employees, new hires, contractors, and partners.
P-Secure supports documentation and compliance across the organisation.
The need for modern background screening
Implement automated and compliant background checks
Requirements from authorities, insurers, and certification bodies are continuously tightening. At the same time, pressure is increasing on organisations that still manage background checks manually or in fragmented processes.
Benefits of automated background checks:
- Reduce administrative workload
- Shorten hiring timelines
- Increase transparency and consistency
- Strengthen audit and internal controls
- Can be applied to both employees and the supply chain
Screening infrastructure for the retail sector of the future
More than a background check
P-Secure is not just a tool for one-off background checks, but a platform for continuous compliance:
- Supports compliance with the GDPR
- Centralises all documentation in one place — audit- and inspection-ready
- Enables ongoing re-checks and access control
- Ensures consistent controls across the organisation and locations
