Staff Editor — Page 286

Prevent Shoplifting Now

March 28, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

It takes a comprehensive effort to prevent shoplifting in any retail environment, and retailers have tried every way under the sun it seems to get it done.

I stopped in a truck stop in Tennessee that took a novel approach: They had taken screen shots of known shoplifters from their CCTV system and posted the pictures of these folks at various places throughout the store with captions attached. The captions said things like, “This THIEF stole a can of Vienna sausage!” under one man’s picture, or “This lady SHOPLIFTED a $3.00 magazine!” under another picture. These pictures were at the checkout stands and all over the store. Clearly, this storeowner had enough of his merchandise being stolen and wasn’t afraid to get personal about it.

I’m not sure that this choice of methods to prevent shoplifting would work on Fifth Avenue in New York.

There are some ways, however, that all retailers can use to control shoplifting. The first is staff awareness. Every employee should be trained and retrained on the store’s policies regarding shoplifting. There are certain signs to look for that indicate shoplifting is occurring in certain areas of the store and that a particular item happens to be a popular target of thieves. Information such as this should be mentioned at new hire orientations and at periodic store, department, and staff meetings. Everyone should know what to do if they think they have seen a shoplifter.

Another way that works well in almost any retail environment is the installation of a retail anti theft device, such as one of the models manufactured by Checkpoint Systems. The antenna placed at the entrance/exit detects Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint tags that have not been removed from the item by the cashier. An alarm sounds as the tags pass through, alerting staff to take action. Checkpoint Systems has a great training program for employees.

Call LPSI at 770-426-0547 to find out more about Checkpoint Systems and ways to prevent shoplifting, or click here for more information. Click here to visit our Online Loss Prevention Store.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Prevent Shoplifting

Labels, Labels, Labels Everywhere…Which Checkpoint Labels Should I Use?

March 27, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Need help deciding which Checkpoint Labels you should use to help retail theft prevention? Here are a few things to think about from a Checkpoint security system certified technician’s point of view. The first decision you will need to make is whether you need non-deactivating hard Checkpoint tags or deactivating Checkpoint labels.

Hard Checkpoint tags will be able to be detected better from a further distance than a Checkpoint labels. This does not mean that you have to have hard Checkpoint tags for your system to work properly. The system is designed and tuned to detect Checkpoint labels without a gap in the system. The benefits of using Checkpoint Tags are that they are a visual deterrent. When a customer picks up an article of clothing or a handbag and they see the tag they know that if they try to steal that item an alarm will sound. These tags are also more durable and reusable.

The downside of using Checkpoint tags is that they are easy to see. While it will help with retail theft prevention, it may also not be as aesthetically pleasing as some people would like. There are also some products that it is not logical or cost effective to use hard tags on.

The benefits of using Checkpoint labels are ease of use, cost effective and with a plethora of different shapes and sizes, are ideal for most applications. With the release of Checkpoint’s new EP (enhanced performance) label, you are able to receive the same detection capabilities that you would have gotten with a much larger tag in the past. Although the Checkpoint security system is the same, changes in the design of the label has improved the efficiency of the system. You can apply these sticker labels to almost anything that you want to keep from leaving the location without you knowing. Also, these tags will not have to be removed at the time of purchase. When the item is scanned at the point of sale the tag is automatically deactivated, causing a seamless transaction and not adding anytime to the routine of your cashier.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using Checkpoint labels. They are not as durable because they are in sticker form and are not in a hard case. The labels are also more prone to being tampered with. Also, for the label to be most effective it needs to be placed on a flat surface. If you place the sticker label on a significantly curved surface it can cause the tag to not be detected properly from the Checkpoint security system.

These are just a few retail theft prevention items to keep in mind when deciding what label or tag is right for you.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store

For more information about Retail theft prevention, a Checkpoint security system or checkpoint security tags or retail anti theft devices contact us at retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547

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

EASy bottle locks are EASY

March 27, 2011 by Staff Editor

EASy bottle locks offer retailers great security. Liquor sales in most areas of the country can be very profitable. It’s imperative to have some form of bottle security, and EASy bottle locks provide the solution for that need.

Bottle security in one form or another has always been a concern for the business owner and manager. However, many are simply uninformed as to the bottle security products available on the market today. Most look back to the old methods of restricting stock, or merchandising bottles behind a manned counter or checkstand. Really, what type customer service is that, let alone bottle security.

Retailers need to be creative and up to date when looking to protect their merchandise and assets. A simple bottle lock placed on the top of most any liquor bottle will prevent the “everyday” thief from simply concealing the bottle or walking off with it. EASy bottle are the most productive and beneficial form of bottle lock I have seen and used. Deploy this bottle lock program will not only save your business money in the long run; you protect your assets as well.

Over the years, conducting investigations at retail locations that have issues with liquor theft has always given the same result. The thefts happened because of a lack of bottle security. A simple bottle lock attached to the tops of the exposed liquor would have saved many stores literally hundreds of thousands, if not millions in lost merchandise as sales.

Do you and your business a favor, if you are in need of a bottle lock and haven’t really been paying attention to the changes in security products in the retail industry, look into EASy bottle locks. A small idea that will slow down any liquor theft you are having.

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

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

Oh No! Another Employee Theft

March 27, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Employee theft is one of those things that goes on day after day. The only times most employers pay any attention to internal theft is when it either 1) happens to them; or 2) makes the newspaper. When an employee theft is big enough to make the news, it means that some employer placed his trust in the wrong employee.

Very recently, according to various news reports out of Jacksonville, a long time Northeast Florida medical center employee was arrested and charged in the theft of over $200,000 as a result of an internal audit. The woman had worked in the accounts payable department since the mid ‘80’s.

Also in the news, a business manager stole more than $115,000, from a non-profit association in Maine in just over four years that she was employed. Her MO was to forge the executive director’s signature on checks that she used to pay herself and her creditors, use an association credit card for personal purchases, and pay her own credit card bills with the association’s operating account. The embezzlement wasn’t discovered until after the manager was fired for other reasons.

In both of these examples, it’s clear that the opportunity to steal went on far too long based on the amounts taken. Internal theft is going to happen, that’s just a fact of life. But smart companies put measures in place to reduce the chances that examples like these will be able to continue for any length of time without detection.

If you’re an employer, don’t think internal theft can’t happen to you. Enterprising employees with a reason can always think of a way to get out with cash, property, or merchandise, believing that they can get away with it.

Take a look at the ways employee theft can happen at your workplace and work to eliminate the threat by increasing the likelihood of detection through the implementation of random and periodic audits by a corporate fraud investigator or a qualified loss prevention agent.

For a vulnerability assessment or to discuss a suspicion of employee theft, call 888-426-0547 or click here for more information.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: corporate fraud investigator, employee theft, internal theft

Security tags on clothes actually help keep customers?

March 26, 2011 by Staff Editor

Well in theory, Security tags on clothes will help you keep your customers coming back. It’s true. If you have the merchandise a customer wants, and it’s easily and readily available, they’ll be back over and over (as long as you maintain a pleasurable shopping environment).

Now security tags on clothes can be tricky, especially when you are a high end retailer not wanting to infringe on the appearance of the garment. Security tags on clothes provide the seller with a great deal of security and give the potential thief a negative impression of your business, and that’s a good thing. Looking around your store, what type of clothing security do you need? Are you experiencing any loss in a particular brand, type, style or color? Security tags on clothes will probably be the solution to most of your issues.

Working in sporting goods was always a positive experience for me. I liked the merchandise and typically can deal with the people that shop these types of stores. One store I worked at had a big problem with keeping its higher priced clothing items in the store. This highly desired sporting apparel posed a real problem. Clothing security tags were not being used as they should’ve been nor was the store putting on additional effort into the program.

The fix was simple. Increase the amount of security tags on clothes and spread the program out other merchandise that showed a losing trend.
In the retail world of today, business can be simple. Solutions to protect assets and boost profits are right in front of us and in most cases, are already being followed, maybe just not as effectively as they could be.

The bottom line to protect your bottom line, use clothing security tags to protect your merchandise.

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

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

Display merchandise safely with Checkpoint systems

March 25, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Some business owners or managers would like to simply lock up all of the merchandise that they sell in order to keep it out of the hands of shoplifters. While that might be tempting in order to stop shoplifting, it is not, of course, practical.

A business could even lose sales by having their merchandise inaccessible to customers. Shoppers like to look at, touch and hold the items that they are thinking about purchasing. Staring at desired items through a locked case isn’t as appealing a way to shop.

Retail anti theft devices such as Checkpoint security systems are an option for those merchants wanting to combat shrink and loss but still offer desirable merchandise to their customers. Checkpoint tags or checkpoint labels can be placed on merchandise, which will then sound an alarm if it leaves your business without being paid for. And for some thieves, just the sight of anti shoplifting devices is enough to make them change their minds, and either pay for the items they desire or move on to the next unprotected business.

A leader in shrink management, Checkpoint systems provide security and peace of mind for the business owner wanting to protect his or her merchandise without sacrificing sales for security measures. A worthwhile investment, Checkpoint systems work for you to allow for your business to be at the top of its game. It allows for you to keep merchandise in-stock and available for the paying customers, all the while offering protection from sticky fingered thieves looking for the ultimate discount.

Fight back and stop shoplifting, not by locking everything you sell up, but by protecting it with anti shoplifting devices such as Checkpoint security systems. Remember retail anti theft devices , checkpoint labels and checkpoint tags put money on YOUR bottom line, not the shoplifters.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store

For more information about anti shoplifting or checkpoint security systems or stop shoplifting or retail anti theft devices or checkpoint labels or checkpoint systems or 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 systems, Checkpoint tags, Retail Anti Theft Devices, stop shoplifting

Bottle locks for better business

March 25, 2011 by Staff Editor

Walk in, grab it, and walk out. This is a way that some shoplifters steal. Bold, yes, but not unheard of. If you own or operate a business that sells liquor or wine, you have probably been victim to this type of theft, as well as more conventional shoplifting techniques.

Bottle security for your wine and liquor bottles does exist. Options are available from Alpha Security, for example. Bottle locks such as the EASy Bottle device are caps that fit around the neck of the bottle, preventing it from being opened. When sold, the clerk can easily remove the bottle lock with a key. The lock can then be reused on a new bottle placed on the shelf.

Honest customers may be surprised that there is a problem with liquor theft, but those of you in the business know otherwise. It is frustrating to find an empty bottle hidden in a corner of your store or an empty place on the shelf where a bottle had been. Especially when that empty shelf is not the result of a sale.

Just like there are theft prevention devices available for all kinds of merchandise, there are options available for stores that sell wine and liquor. Bottle security is an excellent investment and will allow you to display your products in a manner in which customers can still browse them but where you do not have to worry about the theft of your higher end products.

Thieves do not want to walk out of your store with a stolen bottle of liquor only to have to spend hours figuring out how to get it open. Shoplifters are intimidated by bottle security and will move on to another unprotected business if they want to still try to steal.

With bottle locks, theft will decrease and instock will increase, along with your sales and profit. Alpha Security in your bottle lock program will put money on your bottom line.

Visit our Retail Loss Prevention Store

For more information about bottle security or Alpha security or bottle locks or retail EASy bottle 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

Prevent Shoplifting with Education and Awareness in Atlanta Georgia

March 25, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Methods to prevent shoplifting, – as well as vendor theft and internal theft – should be included in everyone’s job description in a retail environment. There are some very basic things that each employee can do during the course of the workday that contribute greatly to preventing theft.

· Customer service is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent shoplifting. Simply making customers aware that staff knows they are there by acknowledging them, making eye contact with them, and speaking to them, is often enough to deter any illegal behavior. It’s about preventing shoplifting rather than catching the criminal. A legitimate visitor is flattered to have your attention; a shoplifter is likely to go elsewhere.

· Vary the routine. Do employees always take the same route from the stock area to the work area? Think about walking in other more indirect ways from place to place, and check some of the more out-of–the-way areas for anything unusual, like stashed merchandise or discarded packaging. Shoplifters prefer hidden, less visible areas to do their work, and stay away the more frequently traveled routes.

· Be aware of surroundings, even if involved completing a routine task. Many times, workers tend to become so intent on an assignment that they fail to notice unusual activity or circumstances that might occur close by them. This type of tunnel vision causes employees to miss important signs of theft activity. Don’t overlook the obvious when attempting to prevent shoplifting.

· All staff should know their area and know their merchandise and be able to tell if something is out of place, misidentified, priced wrong, or missing. The more familiar with the surroundings, the more likely to notice if something is out of place.

Education and awareness on the part of employees goes a long way in the effort to prevent shoplifting in Atlanta Georgia and elsewhere.

Learn more ways to prevent shoplifting by calling 770-426-0547 or click here to contact us at LPSI in Atlanta Georgia.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Prevent Shoplifting

A Retailer Reacts to Employee Theft – Atlanta Georgia

March 25, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

What goes through an employer’s mind when he realizes that he is a victim of employee theft? Anger? Betrayal? Revenge? Helplessness? Disappointment?

Certainly most of emotions are legitimate. An employer takes a person into his company, gives him an opportunity to learn, work, and succeed, pays him a salary to do it, puts him in a position with some degree of trust and yet the employee still injures the company and the employer by taking merchandise, property, or money that doesn’t belong to him.

After an employee theft investigation has determined that an employee was indeed guilty of theft the employer may consider if he himself had anything to do with the failure.

In many cases, the answer is yes, because for internal theft to occur, the thief must have opportunity and motive to steal.

An employer should convey to each employee from the day he is hired, that it is not all right to steal. Not from the company, not from a customer, and not from another employee. Most people know this already, but it never hurts to lay a groundwork that is clearly understood, and that is that the company culture does not tolerate theft or those that tolerate it.

Adequate supervision is a must. An employee who knows that his work is subject to review is less likely to commit an internal theft episode. This goes for every employee from the porter who takes out the trash (Do you ever check the outside trash area for stolen property?) to the bookkeeper (Avoid giving too much responsibility to one individual), and everyone in between. Supervisors and managers are not immune to committing employee theft; as a matter of fact, they can cause more damage for a longer period of time than a “regular employee” because of their positions of trust and responsibilities.

Assign job responsibilities so that a system of checks and balances exists, lessening the odds that an employee can engage in internal theft undetected.

Don’t exempt any employee from these rules. In most employee theft investigations, the thief almost always was “one of my most trusted employees”, according to the owner.

Do you need an employee theft investigation or just want to know how to avoid employee theft and not become a victim? Call 770-426-0547 in Atlanta Georgia or click here for more information.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: employee theft, employee theft investigation, internal theft

Clothing security tags help prevent theft

March 24, 2011 by Staff Editor

Working in the retail clothing industry, clothing security tags have helped deter several instances of customer and employee theft.

Clothing security tags have been around for some time. They have developed and have become more effective in recent years. Most major department stores selling clothing have security tags on clothes. Yet, there are still some smaller stores that don’t have any sort of clothing security.

I was working with a loss prevention agent at a store stocked full of highly desired, high ticket clothing items. We had been experiencing large instances of customer grab and runs, and general customer theft.

Additionally, we believed this store to be a target of Organized Retail Crime because of its lack of security tags on clothes and other forms of clothing security.

After walking the store, we indentified the highest shrink items and most frequently stolen merchandise. Working with the store team, we were able to effectively roll out the clothing security program the way the company had expected it to be done. In doing so, we put security tags on clothes, which provided much of the items with better clothing security. These security tags on clothes are a visible deterrent to thieves and cause the professionals grief when trying to quickly get the merchandise out of the store unnoticed.

During our surveillance, we watched as a team of 3 entered the store and broke apart. The first suspect went to the high theft merchandise and immediately noticed the security tags on clothes. He pulls out his cellphone. As he holds it to his ear, we see suspect #2 pull his cellphone out of his pocket and put it to his ear. No doubt, the first suspect was calling #2 to tell him about the clothing security tags and all about the clothing security.

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

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