Staff Editor — Page 204

You Can’t Just Arrest Your Way to Stopping Theft

March 12, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Most of the Loss Prevention professionals I have had the pleasure of working with always point to the apprehension as their favorite aspect of working in the industry. Satisfying the adrenaline junkie within them, they live and work for the tension, uncertainty, and risk that characterize the moments leading up to a stop. Nevertheless, industry confederates understand that an effective anti-shoplifting department or program can’t operate on arrests alone. A successful shrinkage reduction program is achieved by utilizing multiple strategies customized to address the sources of loss for an individual store.

A crucial component of any Loss Prevention program is the use of retail theft prevention devices. For companies with multiple locations, Checkpoint security system technologies should be customized to an individual store’s sources of loss and culture instead of employing methods in a blanket approach. When seeking loss prevention solutions, most retailers turn to the leader in the business, Checkpoint systems and their Checkpoint security tags. For over forty years they have been the leader in providing companies with anti-shoplifting tools. It’s important to note that just choosing the Checkpoint security system that’s best for your store is only a small step to reducing shrink. Retailers must aggressively utilize Checkpoint security tags and other loss reduction efforts.

After identifying a store’s high-risk merchandise and determining Checkpoint systems guidelines for a location, a process should be set in place that confirms these standards are being applied in a uniform and diligent fashion. A store becomes more vulnerable to theft if it appears to have a disorganized asset protection approach or more than a couple of careless and apathetic employees. Regular auditing to verify associates are in compliance with these endeavors, as well as frequent awareness-raising activities and meetings, can make certain that everyone is on board with the retail theft prevention program.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase retail anti theft devices from Checkpoint Systems.

For more information on Anti Shoplifting, Checkpoint Security System, or Checkpoint Security Tags contact us at Retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547

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

Caveat Dominus: Employer Beware

March 12, 2012 by Staff Editor

When it comes to examining an applicant’s history, the mantra “the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior” has been the guiding principle behind this practice. For employers to know what performance to expect from a prospective member of their staff, they will want to have a pre-employment screening process in place that will give them this insight. The potential repercussions caused by a bad hire are enough to make any business reluctant to take a chance on a new employee without a rigorous background check. Employee background checks are important and here is why: According to the 2010 National Retail Security Survey, internal theft cost retailers $15.9 billion and accounted for 45% of shrink. In addition, during a new associate’s first ninety days, companies can potentially invest anywhere between $5,000 to $75,000 in their training and development; this is motivation enough to make an employer not want to have to repeat this process too many times.

The potential hire selection process not only has shrink implications to consider, but staff members can also be potential liabilities for their employers. This is a prime example of why pre-employment screening is so important. Legal actions involving negligent hiring practices and employers being held accountable for a staff member’s actions can be avoided if due diligence in hiring practices can be demonstrated. Also, in a society as litigious as ours, prospective hires that could jeopardize a business’ compliance with federal and state safety guidelines should be avoided. Lastly, employee background checks can assist in avoiding a bad hire’s potential damage to a company’s reputation, which can’t be measured in monetary losses.

The need for employers to perform background checks for prospective staff members is palpable and choosing the right background check company is a crucial part of the hiring process. When considering the right business to handle this, accuracy of information and timeliness are important factors. Choosing the wrong background check company for examining applicant backgrounds can nullify the steps an employer takes to avoid the potential hazards the appointment process can pose.

For more information on background check experts, background checks, criminal background checks, employee background checks, or pre employment screening contact us at the background check company or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: background check company, Background checks, criminal background check, employee background checks, pre employment screening

Liquor Bottle Security: Problem Solved

March 12, 2012 by Staff Editor

No matter what the reason, whether it is age, addiction, money or simply the thrill, one of the most stolen items are liquor bottles. As a store owner you only have a few options to prevent these items from being shoplifted at your store.

You can spend a lot of labor and money keeping someone at the door and on watch, let it happen or use bottle locks. It probably won’t come as a surprise that I recommend the use of a bottle lock. Bottle locks are the most cost effective liquor bottle security. Once a bottle lock is locked on the top of a bottle, there is no easy way for it to be removed without breaking the neck of the bottle rendering the liquor or wine inside useless.

Alpha security is the leader in high theft items and pioneered the use of a bottle lock to protect items from being stolen. They originally created the EASy bottle bottle lock out of necessity for some of their clients who were tired of watching their merchandise walk out the door.

With the use of bottle security in your location you will be implementing the top-tier bottle security solution on the market. There is an assortment of different sizes and designs to keep functionality at its peak while also keeping aesthetics in mind. No longer will the paranoia of your top dollar spirits waltzing out the door be as prevalent as it once was. With the help of Loss Prevention Systems and our highly knowledgeable staff, you will be able to rest easy once again.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase EASy Bottle bottle locks by Alpha Security.

For more information on Alpha Security , Bottle Lock , Bottle locks , Bottle Security , liquor bottle security or EASy Bottle contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

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

The Good Old Days: NOT!!!

March 12, 2012 by Staff Editor

Thinking back to my days a store detective there are many things that bring a smile to my face as well as a few things that really frustrated me. One of those frustrations was the feeling you got when you were the only detective in a store and multiple thefts were happening all around you. I really hated that awful feeling in your stomach when you missed the concealment of merchandise by mere seconds only to turn around and miss another theft in another part of the store. The only clothing security in the store was the floor walking you did as a store detective. Days like that never truly leave a loss prevention employee. The worst part is the disappointment from the sales employees on the floor when they see you have dropped the ball. That is why I will never forget when the company finally gave us a weapon to help us when we are outnumbered, the best clothing alarm out there.

My staff and I were so excited when the first box of clothing security tags showed up at the store. When we found out from training that the entire store staff would be working together to put the security tags on clothes we were ecstatic. The fact that everyone knew how and where to attach the checkpoint tags made it easier on the sales team at the registers to remove the checkpoint tags quickly so as not to slow down sales at the POS (point of sale). Now the entire staff had a vested interest in protecting the product in the store. Everyone had invested time and effort into the clothing security system and did not want to see their hard work fail. I was amazed at how quickly the known shoplifters in the store realized there were security tags on clothes. The confused looks on their faces, the testing of the checkpoint tags and ultimately the defeated looks on their faces turned my frown upside down!

Clothing security had a new face in our store and it covered all the products. Was the system infallible, of course not, but it helped bring down the shrink in our store significantly. The first inventory count amazed everyone and grabbed the attention of the higher executives. Apparently as a store we worked together very well to implement the system and though we were in a busy urban market were able to post very impressive shrink percentages. I never felt alone again in that store, the checkpoint system silently had my back.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase a clothing alarm or clothing security tags.

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

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

Retail Anti-Theft Devices: Technology For A Real Problem

March 12, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Shoplifting or theft is as old as the marketplace. For many years retailers worked with limited technology to address the issue, but today is a new day. The loss prevention industry has long sought for new technology to provide an edge against shoplifting. Recently, the focus has been on retail anti-theft devices as a means to prevent shoplifting. Currently, there are many retail anti-theft devices on the markets, some examples are: 2 Alarm, 3 Alarm, Jewel Lok, Nano Gate, Shark Tag, and Spider Wrap.

Each of these tools has their place in the retail environment. The 2 Alarm and the 3 Alarm security tags is a flexible article security tag. It can be used for many different applications such as: Clothing security, merchandise security and most of all to prevent shoplifting. The 2 Alarm and 3 Alarm tags use RF or EAS technology to notify the store’s personnel in the event that merchandise is taken from the store. These tags work best with merchandise that can be pinned. The Jewel Lok is a small security tag. The Jewel Lok is designed to work to secure your high priced jewelry. The Jewel Lok works on the same principal as the 2 Alarm and 3 Alarm, but in a smaller package. These devices are designed to prevent shoplifting

The shark tag and Spider Wrap are newer products to hit the marketplace. The Shark tag is used to prevent loses that can occur from return fraud. The Shark Tag is a non EAS/RF retail anti theft device. It is attached to merchandise and easily removed by cutting. This allows the retailer to see if the merchandise has been worn. While not designed to prevent shoplifting, the retailer can then deny the return of unsellable merchandise. Spider Wrap is used for securing merchandise packaged within boxes. The Spider Wrap retail anti-theft device is a great tool for “tagging” these difficult to control items.

All of the above mentioned retail anti-theft devices could be partnered with the Nano Gate. The Nano Gate is a device that is placed on the exit/entrance of an area that needs to be secure and not have your product in the area. I’ve worked in the loss prevention industry for a number of years and it’s my belief that it is important to invest in retail anti theft devices for the health of any business.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store for retail anti theft devices that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

For more information on how you can use retail anti theft devices to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 2 Alarm, 3 Alarm, Jewel Lok, Nano Gate, Prevent Shoplifting, Retail Anti Theft Devices, Shark Tag, Spider Wrap

Bad Economy: No Problem!!!

March 12, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Small business owners are having a tough time in this economy but this is no time to forget about protecting the bottom line. When I am hired to do lp consulting for these small business owners I have the uphill battle to help them spend money to save money. Most of these businesses are retailers selling a variety of products. My first pitch is an EAS system. Unfortunately many of the EAS systems are expensive and fall outside the price range these small businesses can afford. As the economy started to recede and the trend of small businesses to spend less on retail security increased I realized I needed to conduct additional research to see if there were any other companies out there who were making affordable anti-theft devices.

I found a company called RBC Security Solutions and realized that for every bump in the road in the economy there are very intelligent people who are constantly looking for innovative ways to manufacture quality products in more efficient ways to be able to offer them at a more inexpensive price. I could not believe the variety of anti-theft devices RBC offered such as cheap tags and cheap labels. Retail Security is a tricky business that is never cookie cutter or one size fits all. A business has to be fully evaluated from its administrative practices to its employees to its sales performance to its demographics and finally its physical location. Once that evaluation is complete a shrink busting strategy including anti shoplifting tools can be implemented. RBC had a full compliment of inexpensive retail security devices that fit nicely into the owners strategy to control shrink in his store.

RBC made my job a lot easier by having a full inventory of reasonably priced anti shoplifting tools that appealed to the small business owner due to the fact the prices fit his pocket book. In a time where every dollar counts RSB has smartly moved into a position to help small businesses afford items to deter theft. RBC has become a much needed ally to the retail world and to loss prevention professionals who are trying to find new inexpensive ways to protect their company’s assets. One thing I learned from RBC Security Solutions that has become a mantra of mine is “Inexpensive does not mean cheap!”. Even though the cheap pricing is attractive, once you see the quality of the product that RBC security solution sells you will realize there is nothing cheap about the quality.

Visit RBC Security Solutions for Anti-Shoplifting or Anti- theft Devices that can help you with your Retail Security needs like Cheap Labels and Cheap Tags. Our EAS Labels and Tags are not cheap they are inexpensive and made in the U.S.

For more information on how you can use Anti- theft Devices to help you prevent retail theft in your business with products like Cheap Labels and Cheap Tags contact us

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, Cheap Labels, Cheap Tags, retail security

Checkpoint Security: Products Designed With The Retailer in Mind

March 12, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Checkpoint Security is a long-standing security solutions company, their products have been used for years by the retail industry’s leaders. One of the primary functions of Checkpoint is to assist the retailer in the goal to stop shoplifting. To accomplish this goal, the company provides various RF security labels and RF security tags.

I have seen first hand the effectiveness of the Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint security tags. Like many in the loss prevention industry, I began my career as a Loss Prevention Agent. During this time I worked extensively with RF security labels and RF security tags. It was interesting to watch shoplifters on the floor selecting merchandise, only to see them put it back once they discovered the Checkpoint Security tags. After seeing this time and time again, I was convinced that RF labels and RF security tags were one of the most effective tools to stop shoplifting. While the RF label and RF security tag is not a replacement for a well trained and staffed loss prevention team, it does have its place as a tool to stop shoplifting.

The use of Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF labels, and RF security tags a retailers is employing a strong active security solution to stop shoplifting. The RF label and RF security tag can be used as a last moment warning sign that your merchandise is leaving the store without being paid for. The RF labels and RF security tags work by letting out an alarm once the merchandise has passed a pre-designated point. This is usually the threshold of the store. This system can either be designed to work with: Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF labels, RF security labels, and RF security tags.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, and other RF labels that can help you stop shoplifting in your business.

For more information on Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF labels, RF security labels, RF security tags and how to stop shoplifting contact us at RF label or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF label, RF labels, RF security labels, RF security tags, stop shoplifting

Putting the Pieces Together

March 12, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

When initiating an employee theft investigation, the case can often seem complex or even inconclusive on whether or not the subject is committing acts of dishonesty. What instigated the examination of the associate’s behavior may have seemed like a minor indicator, such as decrease in job performance or not parking in staff areas, however, it is the investigator’s task to take these small malfeasances and see if these become pieces that when put together like a puzzle, create a picture of clear acts of stealing. Sometimes the piece you begin with doesn’t always point directly to a case of internal theft.

A particular case I handled comes to mind that illustrates this perfectly. While employed at a big box retailer, my team and I would conduct perpetual inventory twice daily of “hot” items that were easily taken by employee theft. Within a week, an entire line of popular anti-aging products began disappearing off the shelf. Our perpetual inventory established time frames of loss, so the other agents and I began reviewing video to look for a possible subject. At first no one stuck out to us because whenever the items were selected, the customer always headed to a cashier. Upon further investigation, we discovered that although it appeared to be taken to check out, there weren’t sales around these times.

With this piece we realized we were undertaking a potential employee theft investigation and we started narrowing in on a particular cashier. This person was the employee that these customers were going to when checking out. Upon further investigation into the cashier’s ringing history, we confirmed numerous cases of this associate passing merchandise to friends and family. The customer would approach the line, purchase a couple low-dollar items, and the cashier would “sweetheart” our high-risk merchandise. After documenting these incidents, we pulled the associate and he was terminated for internal theft. Thanks to our ability to take these seemingly unrelated pieces and put them together to create a complete puzzle picture, my store rid itself of a toxic member due to employee theft.

For more information on employee theft, employee theft investigation, or internal theft contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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

Shrinking Your Profits

March 12, 2012 by Staff Editor

They say that clothes make the man. I have to wonder how do stolen clothes make the man? Sure you might be wearing some mighty fine duds, but how do you walk around all day wearing something that you know is not rightfully yours?

The topic of clothing security works to prevent clothing from being stolen. The use of cheap labels and cheap tags help defer the initial costs associated with procuring retail anti theft devices.

It has been proven by many retailers that the simple addition of security tags or labels greatly reduces shrink. Shrink is the term commonly associated with loss of merchandise by a retailer. It does not generally include straight cash losses.

When retailers suffer shrink losses, a huge impact is taken on the bottom line profit. Even if there is an allotted budget for shrink, the thousands of dollars lost can destroy even the best sales production.

Having accessibility to cheap tags and cheap labels offsets the loss in shrink thereby allowing you more profit from your clothing sales. You work hard for each of those dollars earned, you should be able to reap the benefits.

Visit RBC Security Solutions for Clothing Security Anti- theft Devices that can help you protect your clothes and prevent retail theft in your business with products like Cheap Labels and Cheap Tags. Our EAS Labels and Tags are not cheap they are inexpensive and made in the U.S.

For more information on how you can use Clothing Security Anti- theft Devices to protect your Clothes and help you prevent retail theft in your business with products like Cheap Labels and Cheap Tags contact us.

Filed Under: clothing alarm Tagged With: Cheap Labels, Cheap Tags, Clothing Security

All or nothing

March 9, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

The hardest part about implementing anti shoplifting products from checkpoint systems like spider wraps, checkpoint security tags, etc. is getting your team to apply the product to every item, every time. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve gone out to audit our retail theft prevention standards to find clothes not tagged or electronics not spider wrapped. I’ve tried posting signs on stockroom doors proclaiming “Stop” and demanding a quick check of the merchandise being replenished to ensure proper anti shoplifting devices are applied. I’ve tried talking about it until I was blue in the face. I’ve tried just about everything and without saying the right words, it was just about impossible to get people to listen.

My message now is simple. All or nothing, and it sure isn’t going to be nothing. When we apply checkpoint security systems devices to some but not all merchandise available, we are basically implanting the idea to steal into the brains of someone who otherwise may not have came in with the idea to do so; the criminal of opportunity if you will. Say the customer is looking at the digital cameras. Most of them are spider wrapped, but there is one sitting there without. Now the customer has the thought that, there is this one sitting here completely unprotected. I can take this one and no one will know. By leaving even just a few without checkpoint security tags you are opening yourself up to the possibility of loss.

This idea has been the most beneficial to getting my team to understand how important it is to apply checkpoint systems to every item, every time. The key to retail theft prevention is consistency, and checkpoint security systems make it easy to be consistent, with easy to use products.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase retail anti theft devices from Checkpoint Systems.

For more information on Anti Shoplifting, Checkpoint Security System or Checkpoint Security Tags contact us at Retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547

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