Staff Editor — Page 292

A Plan to Prevent Shoplifting

March 7, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

One of the most effective ways to prevent shoplifting in a retail setting is to train all employees on the different ways shoplifters use to steal merchandise and to make all employees, not just salespeople, aware of the effect shoplifting has on their own place of employment and the fact that they have a personal stake in it.

Any customer can potentially be a shoplifter and all retail employees at some time come into contact with and observe customer activity on the sales floor.

Why not use them as another weapon in the battle to prevent shoplifting? Just an acknowledgement from an employee is enough to send the shoplifter down the street to another store.

Employees will be glad to help if they are shown how. At the very least, security and loss prevention policies should be covered during each employee’s orientation period at then at storewide meetings for a few minutes. Even reminders in the paychecks or articles and posters on the employee bulletin board serve to remind everyone that shoplifting prevention is everyone’s responsibility.

But without reminders, most employees will revert to the old ways of ignoring customers and the signs of shoplifting.

Employees should also be instructed to report every incident of shoplifting or suspected shoplifting, such as empty packages hidden in shelves and empty hangers on display racks, to management so they will be aware of what types of merchandise are being taken, and where it is occurring.

Employees who are aware of ways to prevent shoplifting can control the enormous inventory loss to theft.

Speak with a loss prevention expert at 770-426-0547or click here for more information. Be sure and pay a visit to our Online Retail Loss Prevention Store.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Prevent Shoplifting

Does a simple bottle lock increase my profits?

March 6, 2011 by Staff Editor

A bottle lock is simple device placed to prevent the theft of bottles, specifically liquor.

A drug store chain I work for experience customer theft of liquor directly off the salesfloor. The shoplifters would simply walk down the liquor aisle, select their brand, conceal the item and walk out of the store. There was nothing available to stop these thieves from cleaning out the store and killing all profits.

Alpha security provided my stores with the appropriate device to secure the stores profits. A bottle lock. Managers we initially skeptical about how well these devices would work and would they really help boost profits? As the representative from Alpha Security told the manager, the store would see an almost immediate decrease in the amount of customer theft. Certainly looking at this bottle lock program could create doubt, but the proof was in the product.

A week went by. As manager rolled the bottle lock program out, they cycle counted the most stolen brands. Within that same week, they lost 98% fewer bottles of liquor by brand because of the Alpha Security Bottle lock.

I personally feel that bottle locks on a liquor bottle greatly deters the everyday shoplifter. By placing the lock over the top of the bottle, the shoplifter cannot get out of the store without alarming the store staff. Overall, the decrease in theft by using Alpha Security products has helped not only this one store, but all of the stores I oversee. In fact, each time I visit stores, I ensure they are executing our bottle security program 100%.

Bottle security should be the priority of any liquor store, grocer or retailer selling. Bottle security is the key ingredient to keeping your profits. If you have no Bottle Security you have no product. If you have not product, you have not profits. Think about your bottle security program.

You can visit our Retail Loss Prevention Store

For more information about bottle locks or easy bottle or liquor bottle security visit us at bottle lock or call 1.770.426.0547

Clothing Alarm Basics

March 6, 2011 by Staff Editor

Most clothing alarm systems are made up of several components. The antennas at the doors, the security tags on clothes and the detachers. Each plays an important role.

The clothing alarm antennas such as Checkpoint Systems are normally located at the customer doors. The antennas are mounted to the floor and require 110-volt AC power. The Checkpoint System antennas watch for hard tags at a frequency of 8.2 MHz. Once the tag is seen the Checkpoint antennas produce an alarm tone and light alerting store staff. It is important to keep the antennas clear of merchandise. Displays must be at least three feet away. It is also best to keep store fixtures and decorations such as Christmas trees away from the system. The clothing alarm should be tested every day and any issues should trigger a service call. These systems require professional installation and service. Contrary to what resellers of used equipment tell you they can only be tuned by authorized service tech with the training and tools.

The clothing security tags come in a wide range of types and sizes. One thing to remember is that the bigger the better. Smaller clothing security tags will not generally perform as well as larger ones. However, for most retailers the smaller security tags on clothes work just fine. The most popular is the Checkpoint mini hard tag. There is now the next generation of clothing security tags . It is called the 3G. This hard tag has a very strong shell that cannot be pried apart with a knife or screwdriver. The Fashion2 and Fashion2 Accessory clothing security tags are also very good. Most hard tags are in models that require either a standard or super detacher.

The detacher is what store employees use to remove the security tags on clothes when they are purchased at the POS. Detachers come in several types. But you should use a super detacher at a minimum. The first generation “standard” detacher is easier to defeat by shoplifters. The clutch in clothing security tags that require a super detacher are much more robust. Even better is the S3 detacher by Alpha High Theft Solutions. The S3 is very unique and is almost impossible to defeat.

Take clothing security serious and you will be rewarded with higher profits and less shoplifting. Remember clothing security starts when the shoplifter walks in your door!

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

You can also visit The Retail Loss Prevention Store

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

New Anti Shoplifting Obstacle – Exit Door

March 5, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

The exit door recently served as an anti shoplifting measure in Macomb County Michigan according to a recent new story in the Macomb Daily. [Read the article here.]

A thirty-year-old woman was trying to leave a department store with more than $600 in stolen electronic merchandise when the motorized cart in which she was riding became stuck in the door. Because the door alarm sounded, employees approached the 400-pound woman to ask for receipts for the merchandise.

A store loss prevention agent was called and the woman pushed her and struck her in the face.

Finally a sheriff’s deputy arrived and instructed the woman to place her hands behind her back, when she took a “fighting stance.” The deputy took his Taser from the holster and repeated the instructions. The woman brought her hand up above her head and looked directly at the deputy, who then used his Taser on her. The woman then complied and was taken to jail.

Not every shoplifting incident is the entertaining, but each shoplifting occurrence contributes to a growing problem for retailers, in that the cost of stolen goods comes off the bottom line as an expense, eating away at profit. This is one reason that retailers invest in anti shoplifting devices and programs.

Even if this woman hadn’t become stuck in the doorway, the article reports that she was approached by employees the “door alarm” had activated.

EAS devices like those provided by Checkpoint Security Systems are designed to reduce inventory loss by alerting store personnel when stolen merchandise is being taken out, whether the shoplifter is stuck in the door or not. There are Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint tags suitable for use on electronics or any other type of merchandise that is prone to walk away with a “sticky fingered” thief.

Rather than depend on a doorway narrower than a motorized cart, it is a sound business decision to protect a store’s assets with efficient and economical retail theft devices from Checkpoint Security Systems.

Find out more about anti shoplifting methods for your retail store at 770-426-0547 or click here to contract LPSI: loss prevention consultants. To see selections of Checkpoint Security Systems, Checkpoint labels, and checkpoint tags, visit our Online Retail Loss Prevention Store here.

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

How a Bottle Lock Can Reduce Shrink!

March 4, 2011 by Staff Editor

“En vino veritas” – In wine there is truth; and in liquor there is theft, but with the aid of a device known as a bottle lock you can greatly reduce your liquor shrink. First of all you need to be aware that in the new baggy pants era that we live in about 90% of all liquor bottles in production can be concealed down someone’s pants or in the sleeve of their jacket or coat. This can make it increasingly difficult to detect attempted theft and nearly impossible to stop it from happening. Combine that with the more desperate individuals who either run in, grab a bottle and run out; or those who simply consume the product on the premises and you can easily see the problem we face.

What’s the solution? The bottle lock. A bottle of liquor that you can’t open is just like a car with no wheels – useless. For that reason I’ve found this to be the best deterrent on the market. It allows the business to place its’ product on the shelf where it is readily accessible to customers, something most proprietors have been afraid to do with their high-end liquor for years. Yet the bottle lock is easily and quickly removed at the point of sale so it requires little extra effort.

We all know that you’ll never be able to stop all theft. The key is to make your liquor department the path of most resistance to a crook. If your merchandise is too difficult to successfully conceal, carry away and consume then it’s likely that the average thief will take their criminal intentions elsewhere. As a result you keep your liquor on the shelf for paying customers thus securing your profits while reducing your shrink, all with the use of a little bottle lock.

Visit our Retail Loss Prevention Store

For more information about liquor bottle security or easy bottle or bottle security or bottle locks or bottle lock or Alpha Security 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

Clothing Security – The Alpha Fashion2 Hard Tag and Accessory Tag

March 4, 2011 by Staff Editor

Clothing security can be a tough nut to crack with some items. The average clothing item takes a hard tag well. You usually locate it on a seam or similar location. But what becomes tricky in clothing security is items like leather, purses, belts, bags and hats. A clothing alarm relies on the use of a hard tag but what do you do when the tag is either to large or the use of a pin is not practical or it will damage the product.

In the clothing security world there is a low cost but high-end solution. It is the Alpha Fashion2 Tags. The Fashion2 hard tag is less than 2 inches long and very thin. This tag requires the use of a pin. However, because of it’s small size it will fit on very small items such as those thong type swimsuit bottoms that do not have a whole lot of material to begin with!

The Fashion2 Accessory Tag takes clothing security in a whole different direction. This tag looks the same as the Fashion2 Hard Tag but it has one major difference. The accessory tag has a built in 3 inch coated aircraft cable with a built in pin. The cable loops around the item and then locks into place. In the past you would have to use a traditional hard tag and flex string. Because the cable is only 3 inches the Fashion2 rides close to your merchandise item and has a pleasant appearance. The cool thing about this tag is that when you remove it the cable stays attached to the hard tag. No more fishing around for a flex string.

Another strong clothing security point is that the aircraft cable is a thicker more robust cable. It would take quite a bit of time to cut through this baby. The clear plastic coating protects the finish of your merchandise. Loop these clothing security tags through belt buckles, shoes, purse handles, leather item buttonholes, openings in hats or bag handles. Basically if you can loop the cable through the merchandise item you have attached your clothing security tags.

Both the Fashion2 and the Fashion2 Accessory clothing security tags come in RF and AM formats and are available in beige, gray and black colors. Standard or super detacher models available.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store to see clothing alarm pictures and pricing. You can also learn more about the Fashion2 Tags at our web site.

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

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

Prevent Shoplifting of Common Items

March 4, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

When most consumers think of ways to prevent shoplifting, they think of merchandise that is highly desirable and expensive. This is not always the case, even with those classified as “professional’ shoplifters, those who steal not for their own use but to resell and convert their gains to cold hard cash.

I recently read an article [read it here…] about a couple in Portland, Washington, who are accused of shoplifting more that $5 Million dollars in merchandise over the past four or five years.

A couple of things grabbed my attention. First of all, how could a major grocery chain with its own CCTV system and loss prevention department allow these thieves to get away with stealing form them all this time. They were either phenomenally lucky or good at what they do. Or they were very selective about the merchandise they stole.

The second thing was the items that the couple were taking were all fairly common items: razors, shampoo, Rogaine, teeth whitener, conditioner, batteries, CD’s, and DVD’s. No fur coats or flat screen TV’s.

These items have several things in common. They are small and easy to conceal and they are items that are used every day. Most of them have a limited useful life before they must be replaced.

The article stated that the police were looking for a third suspect who gave the couple a “shopping list”.

To prevent shoplifting of these types of items, retailers have turned to Checkpoint Security Systems, along with Alpha Security products to keep merchandise safe from shoplifters from those who steal on impulse to professionals like those described in the article.

Call 770-426-0547 for more information to help prevent shoplifting or click here. Visit our Online Retail Loss Prevention Store for more ideas!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Prevent Shoplifting

Anti Shoplifting Attitude for Employees

March 3, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Take all the anti shoplifting steps that you can in your store, and you have not optimized them until you have all employees involved.

The way to include all employees in the effort is through education, education, and education. At every storewide and departmental meeting, the subject of shoplifting should be covered, or at least mentioned.

Reminders such as anti shoplifting posters should be posted in employee break areas, by the time clock, in storage rooms, and even the employee’s bathroom.

Remind all employees to take different routes when they are walking from place to place in the store and not always walk the same way. When empty packages and hangers are removed from the sales floor, their presence should be reported to management so that a known theft does not become an unexplained inventory loss.

If retail anti theft devices such as EAS by Checkpoint Security Systems are in use, be sure every employee knows its operation, and the action to take if the system is tripped by active Checkpoint security tags or Checkpoint labels.

Train all employees on the correct steps to take if they suspect a shoplifter is in the store. Have a policy in place and be sure all employees sign off that they understand it before they go to work in the store, and review it at least annually.

Recognize employees who make an extra effort to prevent shoplifting through their ideas or actions.

Repetition and consistency in training and awareness will emphasize and enhance any retailer’s anti shoplifting strategy.

Contact LPSI at 770-426-0547 to help develop your anti shoplifting attitude or click here for more information about Checkpoint Security Systems technology. Visit our Online Retail Loss Prevention Store here.

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

Stop profit loss from shoplifting with Checkpoint Systems

March 3, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

You as a business owner need to figure out a way to reduce your losses and control shrink in your store. Simple enough, you would think. But shoplifters, employee theft and vendor fraud make the task more difficult than it needs to be. When a business is considering anti shoplifting measures, Checkpoint security systems is an option to consider.

Part of a good anti shoplifting plan is making sure that inventory is accurately tracked and accounted for. Then, when inventory is displayed for customers to purchase, retail anti theft devices such as Checkpoint security systems can be used. Checkpoint labels can be placed on high theft merchandise so that employees are alerted when merchandise is leaving without going through the registers. Checkpoint security tags function in the same manner. Often, simply the sight of anti shoplifting devices such as Checkpoint tags can be enough to deter the shoplifter and encourage them to move on to the next unprotected business.

When you recognize that some of the merchandise you sell is sought after by shoplifters, Checkpoint security systems can help protect it. You want to be able to still have your high theft merchandise available to honest customers, and Checkpoint systems allows you to still do this but have the merchandise protection to make a profit. There is no profit to be made when your merchandise is walking out at the hands of shoplifters.

While locked cases can help deter theft, it is probably not practical to lock up every item that you sell. Checkpoint security systems, including Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint tags, can be used to display the merchandise that you have to offer without worrying about the profits you may lose if the merchandise is stolen.

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

You can also visit our Retail Loss Prevention Store

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

The Need for Liquor Bottle Security

March 2, 2011 by Staff Editor

Just this past weekend an older woman stopped me while I was inspecting the liquor bottle security at one of the grocery stores I’m responsible for. She asked me earnestly, “Is all of this really necessary?” referring to the Alpha S3 bottle caps I was installing. I smiled cordially and tried to give her the briefest answer possible. She continued, “Really? How often do people try to steal liquor?” My answer to her is the same answer that I’m giving you: “Often.”

Just over an hour after my conversation with that woman, 2 men dressed in black hooded coats came in, grabbed 5 bottles between them and ran back out. Luckily we were ready for them. (Note to thieves: black hooded coats tend to give you away.) We managed to recover most of our merchandise undamaged and send 2 crooks to jail. However, all you have to do is take a ride through any inner city in America and you’ll see that those who can afford it the least have a tendency to drink the most. It’s only a matter of time before the desperate turn to theft as a means to support their habit.

If you’re the proprietor of a liquor store or manage a store with a liquor department in it liquor bottle security should be one of your top priorities. Many companies, including Alpha High Theft Solutions, carry a number of products that allow you to display your product and have it accessible to customers while still providing a strong deterrent that will make most thieves think twice. Grab and runs, like the one I described above, and more traditional “concealment” theft are on the rise in the liquor industry. Make sure your awareness of liquor bottle security is as well.

You can visit our Retail Loss Prevention Store

For more information about Alpha Security or bottle lock or bottle locks or bottle security or easy bottle or liquor bottle security contact us at Bottle Security or call 1.770.214.0547

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