Guard absent in electrical stores (8)
I believe the answer is:
sentinel
'guard' is the definition.
(I know that sentinel is a type of security guard)
'absent in electrical stores' is the wordplay.
'stores' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'SENTINEL' is hidden in the letters of 'absent in electrical'.
(Other definitions for sentinel that I've seen before include "Guard whose job is to stand and keep watch" , "Guard who stands and keeps watch" , "Soldier keeping watch" , "Soldier who stands and keeps watch" , "Watching guard" .)