More than 800 applications have been made to the Fog Cannon Subsidy Scheme since it opened at the start of February.

The scheme, first announced last November, offers a $4000 subsidy to eligible small retailers and dairies.

It was announced as part of a package to tackle retail crime after the death of Sandringham dairy worker Janak Patel.

The criteria include having five or fewer paid employees, having no more than two outlets, and having a street frontage, meaning those in indoor malls are not eligible.

Figures from MBIE show as of April 4, 828 applications had been received, 743 were approved, 59 were declined and 26 are being assessed.

269 fog cannon installations have been completed, with a further 185 booked for the coming months.

Business Specialist Fog Cannon Subsidy Scheme Glen McCloy says providers are actively managing their stock levels to ensure these jobs are completed as soon as possible.

Retail NZ Chief Executive Greg Harford says the scheme is going well.

"We're seeing businesses applying for support, and getting it which is a positive thing in helping combat the crime wave we're seeing across the retail sector."

He says there's a lot of small businesses that can't afford to go out and secure this sort of equipment themselves.

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Harford says that's why there's significant demand, and we'll likely see more of that in the coming months.

Dairy and Business Owners Group Chair Sunny Kaushal agrees more demand is expected.

He thought there would have been more applications, given nearly 75 percent of our six thousand dairies need fog cannons.

Kaushal says the numbers so far are only 20 percent, which tells us it hasn't reached all the people who require it, and they haven't applied.

He says he's got concerns over the ongoing rollout of the scheme.

Kaushal says with the 269 installations complete, and 185 booked for the coming months, that leaves a remaining 289 at risk businesses approved but in "limbo".

He says the 185 installs earmarked for the coming months is not "at pace".

National's Police spokesperson Mark Mitchell says while fog cannons provide a sense of security for retail staff, we need to stop the aggravated robberies in the first place.

He says while they offer some peace of mind for workers, history shows they don't stop these offences still happening.

"This is just a band aid, the real issue is addressing and making sure they're not subjected to ram-raids and aggravated robberies in the first place."

Small Business Minister Ginny Andersen says she's pleased with the uptake of the Fog Cannon Subsidy Scheme.

She says it's really important that people feel safe.

Andersen says the Government will continue to look at solutions to support retailers who feel unsafe, as well as supporting the victims of retail crime.