Staff Editor — Page 228

Using common sense to Prevent shoplifting

December 18, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

One of the strongest tools that all retailers have to Prevent shoplifting is common sense. There are so many signs that can help retailers prevent theft from their business. There are many Retail anti theft devices to help combat shoplifting both externally and internally. But without common sense these tools are useless. One of the first things retailers can do is to properly train their staff on how to help Prevent shoplifting by providing something as simple as customer service. One of the things I would tell staff members is to greet all customers and continue to offer assistance. A shoplifter is looking for any area that is empty, so the last thing they want to see is a staff member continuously asking them if they need assistance.

One of the other functions that I conducted was to make sure that all staff members were trained properly on the use of the Retail anti theft devices that they are going to be using daily. Since your staff is another layer of protection to Prevent shoplifting the more training you give them the more protection you have within your business. The most important thing to understand about how to Prevent shoplifting is that there are many types of Retail anti theft devices at your disposal so make sure that you use them all starting to the one we all have common sense.

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: Prevent Shoplifting, Retail Anti Theft Devices

You don’t need a GPS to find directions to stop shoplifting.

December 18, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

There are a variety of ways to stop shoplifting in retail stores. One way is by making apprehensions, but there is a lot of liability in this and it takes trained professionals to do the job correctly. One safe and affordable option is to utilize RF security labels and RF security tags. RF labels are sensor tags that have a radio frequency microchip that sends a signal to the pedestals at the doors when a “live” tag is passed through them. In shorter terms, when you have a tag that has not been deactivated at the registers it will set of the door alarms when someone tries to walk out without paying.

One popular maker of RF security tags and RF security labels is Checkpoint. Checkpoint security tags and Checkpoint labels are widely known in most shoplifting circles. Thieves are much more likely to leave your product alone when it is protected by RF labels and tags then they are to steal it. This is really what you want. Deterrence.

Now don’t get me wrong. You will still have individuals who attempt to steal product even with Checkpoint security tags attached. Some amateurs who don’t know what they are doing will still try to steal. Others think they are brave and will attempt to steal as well. When this happens you can still respond. Most states use a “Shopkeepers Act” which allows the store to stop customers when the EAS system is alarmed. You can then check the bags, receipts, etc. to determine if you have a loss or not. This has much less liability than simply making an accusation of theft against a random customer.

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 RF security labels, RF security tags, Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF labels, and how to stop shoplifting contact us at RF label or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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

Employee Theft: Even the best employees are not immune. – Atlanta Georgia

December 18, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

It is true; some of a retailer’s best employees are committing employee theft. Often high performing associates are not looked at in terms of employee theft; however, I have seen several high performing employees get caught stealing from the company. Incidences of internal theft are not exclusive to poor performing employees. These employees may never think about taking from the place they work.

Employee theft or internal theft as it is referred to, can be appealing to any employee that is interested in gaining the system for their own personal enrichment. I have often found that associates who believe that they are beyond reproach will take in much more brazen ways. The thought that, no one would ever suspect me, creates a false sense of security for the associate. Associates that are bent on stealing from the company may also have leadership roles.

I remember an internal theft case that involved a manager with over twenty years of service. During an employee theft investigation the manager was shown to be disarming the security system at night. The manager should have been gone for the day, but said they had to get some work done. The employee theft investigation revealed that the manager was actually taking merchandise out of the store and putting it in their car.

When the employee theft investigation was ended and the manager was interviewed the manager admitted to over $20,000.00 in merchandise theft. The manager had supposedly started taking the merchandise to finance a personal problem they were dealing with. The store manager could not believe the person they counted on for years would be implicated in an employee theft investigation. It was obvious that the store manager would have never watched the assistant manager or even thought that they would have ever stolen from the company.

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

DETERRANCE IS THE BEST POLICY!

December 15, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Over the years I have worked for a long list of retailers as a loss prevention investigator. We spent hours conducting investigations to apprehend shoplifters and dishonest employees for a wide variety of theft related crimes. The number one lesson I learned during this period was that anti shoplifting initiatives only work if you focus on retail theft prevention. The keyword here is PREVENTION!

Shoplifting is going to happen… it is an unfortunate part of being in the retail business. We spent thousands of dollars to hire and train people to watch the cameras and physically detain shoplifters. In the end I’m absolutely certain that the key to retail theft prevention is deterrence through the use of anti shoplifting devices.

I worked for a small company that did not have a checkpoint security system in place and it was overrun with shoplifters daily. I affectionately referred to this store as “Little Bagdad” because it felt like we were constantly at war trying to keep merchandise in the store.

When the year end shortage numbers rolled out we were appalled by the losses that we incurred despite our efforts. It was decided that we need to implement a checkpoint security system to help mitigate our losses.

This sent a clear message that retail theft prevention was taken seriously.

Checkpoint security tags were placed on all of our merchandise and checkpoint systems were installed on the doors. Once the checkpoint security tags were in place we started to see an increase in the number of items left in our fitting rooms because the shoplifters couldn’t remove the anti shoplifting devices.

We converted our staff from investigators to visual door guards that respond when the checkpoint security system alerted our staff that a security tag was on the merchandise. Instead of using force to apprehend shoplifters and scare customers out of the store we used great customer service to enhance our sales through deterrence.

Checkpoint systems were a great investment!

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

Don’t let a Scrooge infiltrate your business. Use Background Check Experts to properly vet your potential employees

December 15, 2011 by Staff Editor

We have all worked with some really undesirable associates. As a matter of fact I am sure you are thinking of someone right now. How much of a better environment would it have been if that person had never been hired? Poor employees can have numerous negative effects on a business. They can steal which cuts into profits and sales. They always bring down morale and they usually affect the great customer service we all strive to deliver to our clients. Using Background Check Experts to conduct employee background checks and pre employment screening will go a long way to keeping these types of bad apples out of your business.

Background Check Experts are trained individuals who are skilled at looking into a large range of a perspective employee’s past history. You can get criminal background checks that look for past crime history. You can get background checks that look at a person’s financial history. A pre employment screening could include drug tests and lie detector tests. All of these are aimed at helping you hire the right person for the job that is being filled. Now all of these employee background checks are not necessary for every position. I would not use criminal background checks with lie detector test for a part time bagger, but I would consider it for a corporate executive or private security position. It all just depends on what you feel is necessary for your workplace.

The biggest recommendation is use a reputable background check company to do the checks. A quality background check company will use private investigators that are licensed to supervise the background checks being done. They can also advise you on what checks might be best for you company.

For more information on background checks, background check experts, 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, test

Georgia’s new Sunday Sale of liquor makes bottle security more important.

December 15, 2011 by Staff Editor

For those who live in the great state of Georgia (go Dawgs!!) you may be aware that many municipalities recently voted on selling alcohol on Sunday’s. While this is good for consumers who may have run out of alcohol on Saturday and need a refill, it causes many issues for stores that sell alcohol. For one, it means being open and having to staff the store. That, in and of itself, is an added cost. Another issue is it now provides just one more day for shoplifters to target your product.

While I can’t help with the fact that package store owners now don’t get Sunday’s off, I can provide tips for those pesky shoplifters. “EASy bottle” bottle locks by Alpha security are a great asset to provide much needed liquor bottle security. In fact, these bottle locks can be used to provide bottle security to most any bottles that need it, including wines and spirits. The “EASy bottle” bottle lock is a cap that locks onto the top of your alcohol bottle. It prevents the shoplifter from being able to get the “product” inside the bottle. It also has an EAS tag that will sound the door alarm if someone tries to take the bottle out without paying.

As previously mentioned liquor bottle security is not the only concern. As a grocery store that does not sell liquor, I still use bottle security for my high end wine bottles. We have a variety of wines that are fairly expensive so this is still a good theft prevention tool. Alpha security has other bottle security locks that go around the neck of the bottle. These can be used for champagnes and such where the bottle mouth is too big for the EASy bottle locks.

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

For more information on Alpha Security , liquor bottle security, Bottle Lock, Bottle locks, 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

It’s Time To Tag

December 15, 2011 by Staff Editor

There are very few things more important for a clothing retailer than clothing security. It is paramount for clothing retailers to ensure they are putting security tags on clothes. Retailers have seen significant losses over the years due to an increase in retail theft. One way retailers are combating this growing problem is by being proactive in the area of clothing security. Retailers are placing security tags on clothes and using a clothing alarm. A clothing alarm in conjunction with clothing security tags enhances a retailer’s ability to protect its assets.

A clothing alarm gives an audible alert anytime clothing may be being tampered with or about to be taken from the store without being purchased. As the economy continues to look dim for many people, shoplifters are finding an increased demand for their stolen clothes. If shoplifters feel that they are able to steal clothing with little resistance they will wipe a store out. This is why it is imperative that retailers invest in clothing security tags.

Checkpoint tags are time tested and reliable clothing security tags. Checkpoint tags can create the necessary obstacle to shoplifting a clothing store needs. I have seen the durability of the Checkpoint tags; they are unable to simply be improperly removed from clothing. This is one of the most important qualities of a dependable security tag. When the Checkpoint tags are firmly affixed to the clothing perspective shoplifters will have their work cut out trying to remove them without damaging the item they are trying to steal. Shoplifters know that damaging the item they are shoplifting will mean they will be unable to sell them. It is important for retailers to stay ahead of the shoplifters. Utilizing Checkpoint tags when placing security tags on clothes as part of an overall clothing security strategy is simply smart business.

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

Prevent shoplifting of holiday specials with Spider Wraps

December 15, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

As we are gearing up for fall and the holiday season I remember being struck by surprise last year at the items being sold by retailers as a whole. I found many retailers carrying products that they normally don’t carry in hopes of picking up some extra sales. In particular I was surprised by how many stores had GPS units. I would expect this from an electronics store, but not from grocery stores and home décor stores. What was particular alarming was that these stores did not know how to protect this product since it was not part of their particular line.

I want to challenge everyone to start looking at the holiday items that are being planned and prepare a strategy to protect these items. They are obviously items in high demand or they would not be used to draw business. With that being said, they will also draw theft. The only way to prevent shoplifting of high target items like this is to utilize retail anti theft devices. Now you can certainly use traditional EAS tags, but good thieves know how to bypass this system. A more impactful solution is Spider Wraps by Alpha Security. These wraps have a cable that attaches a sounder to the merchandise. If it is tampered with then it sets off an alarm and draws attention to the thief. It also will keep the package from being opened so a shoplifter cannot simply remove the product from the box and conceal in a bag or pocket. The Spider Wrap also works with your existing EAS system so it will set off the EAS alarm if removed from the store.

We will all be receiving product that we may not normally carry. The only way to prevent shoplifting of this merchandise is to plan ahead.

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

Stop shoplifting this holiday season.

December 15, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

You can stop shoplifting this holiday season with the help of Checkpoint security tags and Checkpoint labels. Checkpoint is a leading manufacturer of RF security labels and RF security tags. With all of the added shopper and shoplifters in your stores this holiday season the use of Checkpoint security tags and Checkpoint labels can keep track of your products while your employees focus on your customers.

It is hard to give attention to both customers and products. RF security tags and RF labels are considered inventory control systems. They handle keeping tabs on your product so you don’t have to. If you apply RF tags and RF security labels to your high dollar and high theft goods then you will be alerted if someone tries to leave the store without paying. If the sounders at the door are not going off then you can rest at ease that shoplifting is not taking place and all your focus can go to the customer; which is exactly where we want it to go.

The use of an RF label or tag will go a long way to stop shoplifting. Shoplifters rely on anonymity to carry out their misdeeds. This is why the holidays are the perfect time to steal. They can avoid associates much easier when the store is crowded and then steal without anyone even knowing they were there. When a would-be shoplifter sees the use of Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint security tags then they know they will receive unwanted attention if they attempt to steal the tagged product. This in many cases will cause them to leave your product and try to steal elsewhere.

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 security tags, Checkpoint labels, RF labels, RF security labels, RF security tags and how to stop shoplifting contact us at RF label or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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

Employee Theft: Increase your focus on internal theft. – Atlanta Georgia

December 15, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

The holidays have arrived and that means the stores will be buzzing with shoppers. It is important that retailers stay vigilant in making sure they are protecting their assets from the inside out. This means that, as we are aware of the increase in shoplifting around the holidays, there is also an increase in employee theft around the holidays. Retailers must do an effective job at preventing both employee theft and shoplifting in their stores.

The number of new employees that are hired during the holidays is high. All of these employees are not looking to impress their new employers. In fact, many are planning on committing some type of internal theft. Employees that never plan on staying passed the holidays are indicated in employee theft cases at an alarming rate. Unfortunately it is imperative that the retail try to prevent any attempt at internal theft by the seasonal employee.

Having a system in place that automatically can initiate an employee theft investigation at the first sign of any impropriety is important. A quickly initiated and closed employee theft investigation can be the difference between whether a retailer has a good fourth quarter or not. Employee theft investigation can be conducted with only the investigator being aware of the investigation. This will eliminate any suspicion and allow for a thorough investigation. The limited intrusion into the business will also allow the morale of the employees to continue to be festive, as they want be aware of an ongoing investigation.

I have been in loss prevention for a number of years and I know the importance of closing internal theft cases quickly during the holidays. Many employees may begin stealing immediately and resign before you can catch them. Retailers must be focused on protecting their assets from the inside out. Maintaining a consistent focus on preventing theft during the holidays will ensure a very happy new year.

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

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