Alpha security … A great partner in liquor bottle security.

January 8, 2012 by Staff Editor

We don’t often think of anti theft devices in terms of being a partnership. We tend to look at anti theft devices as a cost or just a business product we have to buy. Alpha Security has, in my opinion, done a lot to break this mold. Alpha Security has spent a great deal of time and money to develop anti theft devices geared to their business partner’s needs. Instead of creating generic devices, they have custom products aimed at keeping your products openly displayed for easy sales while also providing solid anti shoplifting protection.

One such product is the “EASy Bottle” bottle lock. This product is great for liquor bottle security. You can place the “EASy Bottle” bottle lock on the top of your expensive or frequently stolen bottles and keep them safe. The bottle locks keep the thieves from getting to the product inside the bottle and they work with existing AM and RF EAS systems to sound an alarm if someone tries to walk out without paying. The locks are nearly impossible for a thief to remove without breaking the bottle, but is easily removed by the associate at checkout with a special key.

Alpha Security also has bottle locks to provide not only liquor bottle security, but bottle security in general. Do you sell champagnes or other high end wines? While the mouth of these bottles are usually too big for the EASy Bottle lock, there are other bottle security locks that can be purchased. These bottle locks go around the neck of the bottle and also work with your existing EAS systems to alert you to theft. The main benefit is that since thieves know these locks will alert you they are less likely to even try.

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

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

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

Clothing security is a must for 2012!!!

January 8, 2012 by Staff Editor

Benjamin Franklin once said that, “In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes”. It’s clear that Ben never worked in retail or he would have probably added “shoplifting” to that list. Those of us who do work in retail know this to be a certainty. With that in mind I hope everyone has a plan in place for clothing security in the New Year.

There are many different clothing security options available on the market today that can be used to help prevent shoplifting. One of the primary deterrent methods is putting security tags on clothes and then utilizing a clothing alarm. The premise of this system is that clothing security tags are placed on the product. At the point of sale the cashier will either remove or deactivate the clothing security tags. If a customer decides to skip the cashier step and head straight for the door the tag will trip the clothing alarm and alert the employees to a possible theft. Putting security tags on clothes accomplishes several goals. One, the store is alert to potential theft and it is not just happening unnoticed. Two, the store employee now has probable cause under most states “Shopkeeper Acts” to initiate contact and validate whether the product has been paid for or not. Finally, it sends a message that shoplifters will be dealt with and will encourage other would-be thieves to think twice before stealing from your store.

There are many different vendors who manufacture clothing security tags. One that I recommend are Checkpoint tags. Checkpoint tags are well known to shoplifters and are very productive at deterring theft. Checkpoint tags are reliable and difficult to defeat (unlike some tags that can be removed with a rubber band). Putting security tags on clothes is the best way to prevent shoplifting and if properly employed can help make 2012 your most profitable year ever.

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

For more information on Checkpoint tags, clothing alarm, clothing security, 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

It’s hard to prevent shoplifting, but Alpha makes it easier.

January 8, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

We all know how hard it is to prevent shoplifting even when the store is slow. It is especially hard to prevent shoplifting during the busy times. There are increased customers, increased inventory coming into the stores and employee stress increases. Trying to add shoplifting prevention to the mix is just one more iron on an already blazing fire. Here is where you have a partner. Retail anti theft devices are designed to help save you time and stress worrying about shoplifting.

One vendor of retail anti theft devices that I recommend is Alpha security. Alpha is a leader in innovative solutions for theft prevention. Two key products for this time of year are keeper cases and spider wraps. Keeper cases are plastic cases that you can lock your merchandise in. They can be purchased in many sizes to fit a wide variety of merchandise. Some of the custom sizes are made to fit: infant formula, DVD’s, video games, cosmetics, razor blades, etc. They can be used by a wide range of retailers. The big benefit is that you can allow self-service while still “locking” up your expensive and high theft items. They also have built in EAS tags that will work with your existing EAS systems.

Spider wraps are another great item. They come in 2 sizes and are wires with an EAS sensor and tamper sounder attached. The spider wrap wires can be adjusted to fit most any boxed item you have from GPS units to Flat Screen TV sets. They will set off the EAS if attempt to be stolen and if the wire is cut there is a powerful sounder that will raise an alarm. Both solutions from Alpha will help take the worry out of theft and allow you to focus on SALES, SALES, SALES!!!

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 – Atlanta Georgia

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Prevent Shoplifting, Retail Anti Theft Devices

Tis The Season..TO STOP SHOPLIFTING!

January 8, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

I have worked for both big and small box retailers in my career. Holiday philosophies regarding loss prevention are too numerous to count. Believe it or not there are businesses that encourage their loss prevention teams to go on vacation during the holiday season. Businesses become so focused on sales that the concern to stop shoplifting falls to a low priority. This is especially dangerous for those companies that do not use checkpoint security tags.

A focus on sales should be a concern but you should never ignore the bottom line as a whole. Having an EAS (electronic article surveillance) system is like having and extra player in the line up. Running loose and ragged concerning yourself with merely ensuring product is processed and put out on the shelves ignores the potential for shoplifters to pray upon your business. Even companies that do use checkpoint security tags tend to draw back on the amount of categories that they tag with RF security tags and rf security labels. There is also a draw back on the auditing of rf security tag compliance.

The holidays are a time where you need to utilize every security tool that you can employ. When there is a larger presence of customers in your store there is more of a chance that product loss can and will occur. One clothing company I worked for always went against the grain and ramped up using rf labels and rf tags. Loss prevention as a department felt that sense of urgency due to the top down direction of the company to protect its assets. RF labels and rf tags create an obstacle to potential shoplifters. Thieves have to make the decision to not only steal the product but to also try to defeat the checkpoint security tags. Though usage of the EAS system will not stop shoplifting 100% it will deter the impulse shoplifter. Every employee became a part of the team to process shipment, attach either rf labels or rf tags to the product and then merchandise as much of the product on the sales floor as possible. By ensuring the checkpoint labels and tags were aggressively used the company was able to continuously move product out on the sales floor to maximize sales potential as well as product protection. Loss Prevention helped with shipment and tagging, in return sales personnel aided in rf label and rf tag auditing and floor watch awareness. The team rallied around the EAS system which positively affected the inventory shrink number. The EAS system is only a tool to be used to try to stop shoplifting, the system will only be successful if the store staff works together.

Checkpoint labels are excellent for small box items where rf security tags can not be attached. We actually used Checkpoint labels inside shoes as well. During the holidays if time became constricted and use of rf tags with or without lanyards was too time consuming the quick fix was to apply a rf label in its place. Once the Holidays were finished then there would be a beginning of the year audit to ensure all categories were tagged correctly. Ensuring when and where possible rf security tags were applied and rf security labels attached. This was also the time to retrain the store staffs as to the correct usage of the EAS system. Where to place a rf label was critical to both deterring shoplifting as well as the EAS pedestals picking up the rf security labels signal if the product was being removed from the store without being deactivated. Tag placement was also critical for the same reasons as well as to ensure no damage was done to the product being protected. Tis the season to stop shoplifting!

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

Internal theft of cash is major concern – Atlanta Georgia

January 8, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

There are many ways that internal theft (or employee theft) can cut into our profits. Employees have access to many things that shoplifters don’t. For example, employees can access large amounts of backstock merchandise while shoplifters can only steal the small quantities we put on the shelves. Many high dollar items are locked in cases so shoplifters can’t steal them. Guess who has the keys? The employees do. We keep our cash locked tight in registers, safes and use armed guards to transport it to the bank. But … Employees have to touch the money first. All statistics show that employee theft is the main way retailers take losses.

One of the main things stolen from a business is its cash. Product is great, but cash can be used anywhere and for anything. With the economy in the pits, the need for help paying the mortgage and car note are greater than they have been in the last 50 years. In fact, many are struggling to put food on the table. I did a recent employee theft investigation where the person was stealing small dollar amounts each day so they could eat food from the vending machine in order to buy real food for her kids. It was one of the many heartbreaking realities I have come across recently.

With the holidays approaching internal theft of cash becomes an even bigger concern. For one, there is increased pressure to come up with cash to buy Christmas presents for everyone you know. To add to that, many companies will be bringing on seasonal help so you now have more employees and you have employees who don’t have much loyalty to the company as they know their time is limited. Remember to do an employee theft investigation as soon as you find money missing. It may just be an error, but at this time you need to be prepared for all possibilities.

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

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

Checkpoint Security System. A better plan for a better 2012.

January 6, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Each year I sit back and reflect upon the past year and what could have been done better to grow profits. While many use this time to think of ways to grow sales in order to grow profits, I look at the other side. What retail theft prevention measures could have been taken to save the money from our sales in order to grow profits?

Something that I recognize could have been done better in my business revolves around utilization of anti shoplifting devices. I use a Checkpoint Security System to protect my assets. There are many components that can be utilized in a Checkpoint Security System. I mainly use CCTV and EAS. Something that I think was a success was the growth of Checkpoint systems Public View Monitors. We expanded our use of these Checkpoint systems PVM’s to cover more high theft areas in our target stores and saw a decrease in theft and robbery attempts. When a would-be criminal sees themselves being recorded in living color it goes a long way in deterring them from committing a crime. This will definitely be something I allocate more funds into this year.

The area I see for improvement is EAS utilization. We use Checkpoint security tags to protect our high theft merchandise. Something that I think we all fall into the habit of is just throwing Checkpoint security tags on products without a plan. Tagging everything is not the answer. That takes a lot of time and can be costly. The best method is to strategically put Checkpoint security tags on products. I am working now to track theft trends based off of inventory shortages and then implement a guideline aimed at putting our anti shoplifting resources where they are actually needed. Retail theft prevention is becoming a science and must be given the same strategic thought that sales and other business operations are if it is truly going to be effective.

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

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

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

The Growing Trend of Resume Fraud

January 6, 2012 by Staff Editor

Everyone wants to put their best foot forward when applying for a position but when a candidate misleads a prospective employer with the hope of securing employment there is a problem. Human resources experts argue that nearly 40% of resumes are fraudulent. That means 2 out of 5 resumes contain exaggerations or omissions that a reasonable person would consider deceptive. Examples of resume fraud can be anything from claiming to have worked at a job for a longer period of time to outright falsifying credentials such as degrees or professional certifications.

What can employers do?

Conduct pre employment screening and background checks. It’s difficult to spot a liar in a job interview and it’s not enough to just follow-up with references these days. Employee background checks can help every employer avoid a bad hiring decision. It’s not hard to write an honest resume but many applicants roll the dice and take their chances because many employers still fail to conduct employee background checks.

I believe there are three overarching benefits to conducting pre employment screening. Deterrence tops the lists because making it clear that background checks are part of the hiring process will discourage applicants with something to hide. Background checks also encourage honesty in the work place by creating a culture motivated by integrity from the start of the onboarding process.

Fact-finding is a key ingredient to pre employment screening so supplementing your initial impression of a candidate forged during the interview process with facts can help an employer make informed decisions. Employee background checks are conducted by major corporations because they can provide an added layer of protection from liability.

One bad hire could potentially cost an employer thousands in lost time or litigation costs and they may not have a leg to stand on in court if they haven’t conducted an employee background check. If you haven’t done so already, take the initiative and make informed decisions by implementing pre employment screening and background checks as part of your hiring process.

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

The Real Cost of Shrink

January 6, 2012 by Staff Editor

Retailers are scrutinized for their profits like never before. Whether a company has to report to franchise owners, shareholders or investment firms, someone is always looking at the bottom line profit. In the case of anyone who does alcohol sales, the cost of losing even one bottle is astronomical.

First you have to look at the cost of the bottle lost. Then you have to start adding up how much it would be to replace that bottle. It’s not just the price of a new bottle; there are many other associated costs.

You have to add up the margin loss on the first bottle, and the cost of any manager or employee to investigate that theft. Don’t forget the labor cost of checking inventory on hands to reorder the correct amount of product. There are labor costs to receive, unload and merchandise the new bottle…. The list can go on and on.

While using products like Alpha Security’s Easy bottle bottle locks can be an initial investment, the long-term price of liquor bottle security pays for itself in the end.

To use this type of liquor bottle security, labor is only used once to apply the bottle locks. To detach the locks takes only a moment of time at the POS. It is much quicker than trying to figure out what happened to a bottle of alcohol. Long term payouts with a short-term investment always makes prying eyes happy!

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

Alpha Security products versus the shoplifter

January 6, 2012 by Staff Editor

Actually, there is no comparison. Alpha security products have a higher success rate than shoplifters. More often than not, the shoplifter is left feeling a little sober.

Liquor bottle security has long been an issue for retailers. How can you protect your profits without actually hurting your profits? It can be a very daunting dilemma. I believe Alpha security has developed a great solution to better bottle security with bottle locks.

I did work for a small grocery chain that had been experiencing non-stop liquor shrink or loss. We looked at all possible reasons that might cause liquor bottle shrink and determined that shoplifting was the main culprit. Setting out to develop an action plan, management wanted a solution that would not hurt sales or customer service. In the past, they had liquor bottles with no bottle lock, locked up in cabinets, and customers would have to request service to get their favorite beverage. The solution was simple, a bottle lock from Alpha Security. Bottle locks are tough to defeat devices that protect not only the profits but the merchandise as well.

We installed EASy bottle locks on several brands above a certain price point; I then monitored the liquor department. During the first week, via CCTV, I watched at least 5 different shoplifters attempt to defeat, disable and/or damage the bottle locks on various merchandise. It was no doubt liquor bottle security in this store was solid. To the management staff and me, there was no better solution to bottle security than EASy bottle locks.

Over the next week, the small grocery chain rolled out the bottle security program to the other 10 stores. Over the year, the chain decreased liquor bottle shrink, and increased their profits.

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

Security tags on clothes are a must to protect your inventory.

January 6, 2012 by Staff Editor

There are literally thousands of clothing stores in the US and they are all fighting each other for customers and sales. The last thing these stores need to be successful is to have to fight shoplifters for profits too. Unfortunately, that is the cold reality that we face. Retail theft (both internal and external) accounts for approx. 80-85% of soft line shrink according to most major studies. To this end it is vital that stores put security tags on clothes in order to protect their inventory.

There are many different clothing security systems on the market today. One system that is popular is by Checkpoint Security. Checkpoint tags are time tested and Loss Prevention approved. I have seen with my own eyes how shoplifters will attempt to defeat Checkpoint tags and then leave without stealing the product when unsuccessful. There is no way to apprehend everyone who intends to steal, but by putting security tags on clothes you don’t have to. The Checkpoint tags deter the theft from even taking place.

There are other clothing security tags available on the market as well. Alpha Security has some really great clothing security tags. They have standard hard tags and they also have a variety of tags made to fit small and delicate items. One cool thing about Alpha is that their clothing security tags are compatible with your existing RF and AM clothing alarm. It’s nice to know you can expand your current clothing security system to include Alpha product without having to purchase a new clothing alarm and toss your current tags. Alpha also has a cool product called Shark Tags. Shark Tags are disposable tags that “pinch” onto clothes. They don’t damage the product, but the customer will have to remove them (with scissors) at home before they can wear the product. Now if they try to return the product you can prove without argument that they product has been worn and can prevent “wardrobing” from taking place.

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

For more information on clothing security, Checkpoint tags, 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