Staff Editor — Page 273

Clothing security: Stopping clothing shoplifter in their tracks…

May 28, 2011 by Staff Editor

Shoplifters come in all shapes and sizes you never know what to expect with them so the only way to truly stop them is clothing security. They work alone, in pairs, or in large groups. And as I’ve discovered after working in the loss prevention field, they can be extremely skilled at what they do and will always try to stay one step ahead of being caught.

If you operate a business that sells clothing, you need to consider clothing security in order to increase your bottom line and reduce losses due to theft. Security tags on clothes can be an extremely useful tool in the fight to keep your clothing available for those who wish to purchase it, instead of allowing it to walk out your doors at the hands of a shoplifter.

Shoplifters may stuff clothing in their bags, inside of other items or under their own clothing. They may also be bold enough to just grab a handful of clothing and walk out of your business. However they choose to steal, using clothing security tags, will sound a clothing alarm if they try to go past your doors without paying for your merchandise.

When shoplifters are deciding whether or not to steal from you, they look for security measures such as clothing alarm s by the doors and security tags on clothes. Unsecured clothing is much easier to steal than it is to worry about activating a clothing alarm. Shoplifters rely on anonymity in order to get away with the crime, and activating a loud clothing alarm will make anonymity difficult. They do not want to get your attention – they just want to get your merchandise.

Clothing security tags, when displayed on your high theft merchandise, allow for increased sales instead of increased theft. That is a minimal investment with a substantial return in profit.

To purchase Clothing Security Tags visit our website!

For more information on clothing security , clothing security tags , clothing alarm or security tags on clothes contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Prevent Shoplifting and More In Gift Cards

May 28, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

A new scheme is occurring in the world of shoplifting! Just when you thought you had it figured out. Why would we be concerned about how we prevent shoplifting of gift cards? Wait a minute there is no value to a gift card until it is purchased!

Well…shoplifters are stealing the unpurchased gift cards taking them home and cloning the information on the mag stripe. They then take them back to the same retailer and put them back on the peg hook. When your customer purchases the card and you activate it the customer takes his new gift card and leaves.

But when the unsuspecting customer or the gift receiver tries to redeem the gift card…the money is gone! That’s because the shoplifter has already used the cloned card.

So how do we solve this problem? Well we can keep the cards locked up, behind glass or behind the counter. Of course this takes the retailer is the opposite direction we need to be in. We do not want to spend labor while a customer decides which gift card or amount to purchase.

If we want to prevent shoplifting of this nature we have to get inventive. Another solution is to use an Alpha Security Hang Tag. This hard tag is designed to go over the peg hook hole. It has a dual pin that then locks the Hang Tag onto the packaging. The Hang Tag is designed for blister packs but will work on this type of packages also. The gift card is then put back on the peg. If the shoplifter tries to remove the gift card the coil in the Hang Tag will cause an alarm.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store for more items to prevent shoplifting.

For more information to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Prevent Shoplifting

Retail theft prevention with Checkpoint Systems

May 26, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

I’ve learned after working a few years in retail theft prevention that shoplifters come in all shapes and sizes. They are all ages, all backgrounds, and all classes of people. I’ve also learned that while some are obvious as to what their intentions are when they enter your business, others have learned to blend in and do their work virtually undetected. Your shrink dollars and unaccounted for merchandise tells you that they have been there – but you are only left reeling in their wake.

Anti shoplifting devices such as Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint tags can help deter these shoplifters when you might not otherwise be able to. A business can be fully staffed and still employees can miss the tell-tale signs of a potential shoplifter. Or that shoplifter might just be well rehearsed with his or her technique for stealing. With retail anti theft devices such as Checkpoint security systems, your merchandise itself can protect your assets and increase your profits.

Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint security tags can be affixed to your high ticket and high theft merchandise. With Checkpoint systems in place, your merchandise can essentially defend itself. The sneaky shoplifter who might otherwise steal from you will reconsider when they see that you have invested in retail theft prevention measures. Checkpoint tags and Checkpoint labels are nearly impossible to remove without a key from the register and will sound a loud alarm when they leave your store without being removed. This is certainly attention that potential shoplifters don’t want.

Any person who walks into your business could be a shoplifter. They aren’t all shoplifters, but there are more than you might suspect. By utilizing anti shoplifting options such as Checkpoint systems, you can let the retail anti theft devices do the work of reducing the shrink and loss experienced at the hands of these people.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store to purchase Check Security Systems, Checkpoint Security Tags or Checkpoint labels.

For more information about anti shoplifting or checkpoint security systems or checkpoint labels or checkpoint systems or retail anti theft devices or retail theft prevention or checkpoint security tags contact us at checkpoint tags or call 1.770.426.0547.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint labels, checkpoint security system, checkpoint security systems, Checkpoint security tags, checkpoint systems, Checkpoint tags, Retail Anti Theft Devices, retail theft prevention

What Makes Up A Clothing Alarm System?

May 26, 2011 by Staff Editor

A clothing alarm system consists of several components. This equipment all comes together to form a barrier to shoplifters. Good customers are not bothered and generally don’t notice that you have a clothing alarm system. Good customers are not thinking about shoplifting therefore they do not concern themselves with these issues.

The first part of the system is the antennas at the customer doors. Some companies also place antennas at the entrances to the restrooms. This denies shoplifters the privacy to try to remove the security tags on clothes. The antennas are placed in line with the doorframe on both sides of the door. Clothing alarm systems can generally be configured to work with any doorway. When a shoplifter attempts to steal your merchandise the clothing security tags cause the antennas to alarm.

The clothing security tags are placed on your merchandise by your staff. Security tags on clothes make that item unremovable from the store until your staff removes it at checkout. Clothing security tags come in more variations than you can imagine. However, there is a huge difference in quality. Lesser quality security tags on clothes have poor construction; edges that are not smooth and can snag the very fabric they are protecting. Many are very bulky and have poor performance. We see many types of clothing security tags that can simply be pried apart with a pocketknife or paper clip. This is why it is important to invest in the quality of the clothing security you choose. Security tags on clothes are held in place with a pin. Pins come in various lengths depending on you needs. Some bulky clothing requires a longer pin.

Last but not least in the clothing security world is the detacher. Detachers are generally a key by your cash/wrap so the shoplifter cannot steal them. When a cashier wants to remove clothing security tags they simply hold the tag up to the detacher and the pin is released. Clothing security is a simple yet effective way to shut down the shoplifters in your store.

Visit our Retail Loss Prevention Store for more clothing security devices.

For more information on clothing security and a clothing alarm contact us or call us at 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: clothing alarm, Clothing Security, clothing security tags, security tags on clothes

How to prevent shoplifting by identifying thieves.

May 26, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet “One may smile, and smile, and be a villain.” This is a point that I press upon my employees when teaching them to actively prevent shoplifting in our business. I don’t believe that everyone is a thief…but in order to effectively prevent shoplifting the employees within your business have to know how to identify and deter the shoplifters that frequent your establishment.

I ask my newly hired employees “what does a shoplifter look like?” In response to this question I usually receive a variety of interesting answers. Some employees already have the insight to know that there is not a “look” to a shoplifter. Any person that walks into your store could be a shoplifter, whether they are young or old, male or female, etc. In order to truly prevent shoplifting your employees need to observe customer behavior and identify when a customer may be acting suspiciously.

A person intent on shoplifting will take note of exits, the merchandise they would like to steal, and where the employees are located in the store. He or she will notice secluded corners and choose these areas to conceal your merchandise. Shoplifters may work in pairs so one can distract an employee while the other steals. Shoplifters may also select merchandise quickly without really “shopping” i.e. looking closely at the item, or the price. When your business is training employees to effectively prevent shoplifting, the above noted behaviors need to be brought to their attention. Noticing simple behaviors can speak volumes as to the intent of the customer.

I recently visited with my employees that apprehend shoplifters at the company I work for. I had studied 2010’s statistics and noticed that our average shoplifter age was pretty young – late 20s. This reminded all of us that anyone, of any age, might be a shoplifter. Just because she looks like your Grandma doesn’t mean she isn’t a shoplifter. Their actions must be what we listen to when identifying a customer’s intent to shoplift. Train on these techniques, and you can help prevent shoplifting within your business.

To buy retail anti shoplifting equipment check out our website.

For more information on how to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.256.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Prevent Shoplifting

Employee theft causes shrink whether it’s donuts, dollars, or diamonds

May 24, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

I was involved in investigating a local employee theft where the employee was stealing donuts on her break. Was it worth the time to investigate? Yes, when you consider that this small theft might have led to her stealing more merchandise. My decision to do an employee theft investigation at the first sign of loss, was my way of being proactive and stopping a thief before her confidence in her abilities to steal grew. And usually, when you discover a loss that is caused by an employee, you will also discover that there have been more instances of theft prior.

Its possible for internal theft to happen at any business, at any time, for any amount. Most employees who steal go for items generally a little larger gain than donuts, and this can negatively impact a business’s bottom line. Employees, whom you hope you can trust, can account for thousands of dollars of loss for your business. If you don’t react to your suspicions of internal theft they may definitely be occurring.

Some business owners mistakenly believe that if they prevent shoplifting in their business then they have prevented shrink from stolen merchandise. But employee theft can add up more quickly and cost you more than the average shoplifter.

Do you have inventory that can’t be located? Is merchandise that was recently received disappearing? Is there merchandise that is considered high theft, such as electronics, that is unaccounted for? Start your own employee theft investigation and figure out when these losses are occurring and determine which employees are in your business at that time. You may quickly realize who is responsible for the loss you are experiencing.

Whether it is donuts, dollars, or diamonds you are losing from your business, you can stop the theft and recoup some of your loss by being aware of, and proactive toward, employee theft.

For more information on employee theft investigation s in Atlanta GA contact us at internal theft or call 1.770.426.0547.

Filed Under: antishoplifting

Checkpoint Systems … protect almost anything you sell!

May 24, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

I made the mistake of not investing in a Checkpoint security system. One of my employees recently caught a shoplifter that was taking all kinds of merchandise, from several different departments in our store. She was even having her children help her conceal the merchandise in her large purse. For every shoplifter that we catch – how many more are out there that are doing the same thing and not getting caught this time? I hate to imagine…but I know the number is high.

What can you do to help stop shoplifting in your store? Getting Checkpoint security systems can be one excellent step to stop shoplifting. Checkpoint systems use Electronic Article Surveillance by sounding alarms if merchandise with Checkpoint tags or Checkpoint labels gets to close to the sensors at the exits to your store. Checkpoint tags and checkpoint labels , both of which are available through our website, can be applied to nearly every type of merchandise that a business owner may choose to protect.

Checkpoint systems make a shoplifters reconsider whether or not it is worth it to steal from your business and help stop shoplifting. Most shoplifters want the quick conceal and get away and do not want to take the time to try to remove Checkpoint tags and Checkpoint labels. If you are utilizing a Checkpoint security system the common thief stands no chance of getting out of your business without an alarm sounding and drawing unwanted attention. It should come as no surprise that shoplifters do not like to attract the kind of attention that the Checkpoint security system will bring.

Check out our website to buy Checkpoint systems, Checkpoint tags, and Checkpoint labels.

For more information contact us for Checkpoint security systems , checkpoint tags , checkpoint security system , checkpoint systems , anti shoplifting , Checkpoint labels or please call 1.770.426.0547.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint labels, checkpoint security system, checkpoint security systems, checkpoint systems, Checkpoint tags, stop shoplifting

Preventing thefts with clothing security

May 24, 2011 by Staff Editor

Recently I read about a theft in my city from several businesses in a mall. There is one common factor among the victim stores – they did not have security tags on clothes. The suspect, female, was caught and arrested after an alert store employee noticed the woman leaving with merchandise and coming back in the store for more. When police searched the woman’s car, however, they found it full of merchandise that the suspect had stolen and taken to her car before returning for more. She had, essentially, successfully stolen those items and would have been able to get away with the crime if she had not been greedy and gone back for more.

Much of the merchandise stolen was from clothing stores. There was no clothing alarm or clothing security to alert store employees that the thefts were occurring. Because of the these stores lack of clothing security they suffered thousands of dollars of loss that was fortunately recovered – this time. And if the crime hadn’t been discovered while in progress…those thousands would be lost.

Had these stores been utilizing clothing security tag, they may not have even been targeted by this individual. Additionally, had this thief entered the stores with the intent to steal, she may have changed her mind when she realized that there were plenty of clothing security precautions in place including security tags on clothes. Once she was able to get in and out of these businesses successfully one time without drawing attention, it was fair game. When a clothing alarm and clothing security tags are used this is no easy task.

This tale of theft has a happy ending since the bad gal went to jail. But for every shoplifter apprehended there are many more that are successfully stealing from businesses. By protecting the clothing that you sell using clothing security tags, you’re making a minimal investment that can have magnificent rewards.

To purchase a clothing alarm or clothing security tags visit our website!

For more information on clothing security tags , clothing alarm , security tags on clothes or clothing security contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: clothing alarm, Clothing Security, clothing security tags, security tags on clothes

Summer Profits instead of Loss with Bottle Security

May 23, 2011 by Staff Editor

Summer time is almost here. More people will have vacation and time off of work to enjoy themselves at the beach, lake, or even in their own back yard. If you are a business that sells liquor and wines, this is a time to look forward to as it should provide an increase in sales of your products.

An increase in customers and sales may also mean an increase in loss due to theft. Bottle security, such as the EASy Bottle cap from Alpha Security, can provide protection of your merchandise during this increase in customer flow. EASy bottle bottle locks are applied to your high end liquors and wines, and are removed only when the customer wishes to purchase the product. The Alpha Security bottle lock is then reusable, so you can help ensure instock for your customers while reducing the risk of your products being stolen.

You as a business owner can also display all of your wines and liquors for your customers to browse if you have liquor bottle security. The bottle lock fits over the cap and makes the bottle virtually impossible to open without a key. There is little point to stealing a bottle of liquor if it is going to be impossible to open anyway. The honest customers have the ability to see your full selection, instead of empty shelves where product is supposed to be sitting. The dishonest customers see your bottle locks and bottle security and decide that yours is not a business from which they are interested in stealing.

We are all ready for summer fun, and that can include the wines and liquors that you sell to paying customers, instead of providing free of charge to those wishing to steal. Bottle security such as bottle locks improves your summer by increasing your profit and reducing your loss due to theft.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store

For more information about Alpha security or bottle security or bottle locks or EASy bottle or liquor bottle security or contact us at bottle lock or call 1.770.426.0547.

Filed Under: Security Tagged With: Alpha Security, bottle lock, bottle locks, bottle security, easy bottle, liquor bottle security

Don’t want your employees chasing shoplifters? Prevent Shoplifting!

May 23, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Have you ever seen the movie Empire Records? There’s a really funny scene in this movie where a shoplifter is seen by some of the employees. The kid tries to run out of the store and a “Benny Hill” type of chase scene ensues. The employees eventually get the shoplifter and though the scene is hilarious, it’s not exactly practical. You don’t want your employees risking their safety by trying to chase down shoplifters.

If the store had been utilizing different skills to prevent shoplifting this might not have been necessary.

If you run a small boutique or record store in this case you may not have a giant corporation backing you up with internal theft investigators, and fancy anti theft programs but I’ve got good news for you. You don’t need these things to prevent shoplifting in your store.

In my many years of working retail, ranging from giant companies to small boutiques, one thing has always remained the same. Good customer service will prevent shoplifting every time! You can train your employees to pay attention to provide excellent customer service and protect your merchandise at the same time.

A greeter at your front doors lets your customers know that you are happy to see them while letting possible shoplifters know they have been seen eye to eye by at least one employee.

A sales clerk on the floor can easily walk around the store and help your customers get thing from high shelves and make suggestions to up-sale your customers while keeping an eye on the corners and aisles where you are experiencing loss.

A fitting room attendant can help your customers get the right sizes and offer opinions while counting items going into and leaving the fitting room.

These are simple loss prevention techniques that you can utilize to prevent shoplifting in your store so your employees don’t feel the need to chase down shoplifters!

Visit the Loss Prevention Store

For more information on how you can prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Prevent Shoplifting