Staff Editor — Page 239

Keep Your Jeans on (the Shelf)

October 25, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Working retail Loss Prevention for over 6 years there are quite a few things you get tired of. You see a lot of the same things happen day in and day out and it seems like your company is never going to do anything about it. Makes you wonder how many more millions of dollars do we need to lose before someone starts to listen to us? We (loss prevention associates) are always begging for additional resources to prevent shoplifting with little to no help.

I think the thing I am most tired of is grab and runs. There is almost nothing you can do as loss prevention to stop or catch them. I have been tracking this case for over a month where a woman enters the store, fills up a bag, leaves it near the door and then goes to get her car. She then pulls up to the doors gets out, gets the bag and leaves. This is so frustrating. She knows that we have very little retail anti theft devices like EAS tags. She knows that only a few items have any kind of retail anti theft devices. She has been in the store enough to know exactly what does and does not have it. Without some additional resources how am I supposed to prevent shoplifting from people like her?

If we were to use more retail anti theft devices on something basic as jeans we could prevent shoplifting a lot more then we are currently. Retail anti theft devices work if we allow them to. If we would EAS tag more items or use other devices we could make a huge impact on our bottom line. As a supervisor I am graded every year at review time on my stores shrink percent. It bothers me that I am not able to control that more. If it were up to me I would have every item in the store with some retail anti theft devices. Shoplifters already check items to see if they have any type of device on them and select those items when shoplifting. Why not stop them dead in their tracks and through some road blocks out there? They come in looking for jeans missing their tags let’s make sure they don’t find any. It’s really simple, use Retail anti theft devices; prevent shoplifting; keep our jeans.

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

RF security labels are the best in the business.

October 25, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Security labels have been used for decades to help stores stop shoplifting. There are several different types that have been developed throughout the years. The most reliable solutions available today are RF security labels and RF security tag s. RF labels and RF security tags work on a Radio Frequency. This is important as the Radio Frequency helps prevent the troublesome false alarms that other systems have. Since the systems are tuned to a specific frequency it is less likely that a cell phone or car door key fob will set off a false alarm as they are not on the same frequency as the system. This is a huge win for customer service and employee productivity.

One of the top manufacturers of RF security labels and RF security tags is Checkpoint systems. The Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint security tags are well known within both the Loss Prevention community as well as the shoplifting community. I would have to say the latter is probably more important because the recognition of Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint security tags by the shoplifters is what will ultimately stop shoplifting. Shoplifters do not want recognition in stores. They are more likely to steal from a store without RF labels then they are one that does have them. The shoplifters who will steal clothes with RF security tags will generally try to defeat the tag first. Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint security tags are very hard to defeat so it further deters theft from your store. While it is possible to do business in today’s economy without using RF security labels, I really don’t recommend it.

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 security labels, RF security tags, RF labels 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

Credit fraud is a major source of employee theft – Atlanta Georgia

October 25, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

There are many ways to incur employee theft (also known as internal theft). With the economy in the condition it is in, many of our employees are coming up short on funds. In order to make ends meet, or to keep a certain standard of living in difficult times, many are turning to theft. Employee theft is something that plagues every business and can negatively impact the business in several ways. Something that I have seen more of recently is credit fraud.

Internal theft by credit fraud hurts the company in several ways and it requires a quality employee theft investigation in order to solve the problem. Employees can commit credit fraud in several ways. The first is that the employee keeps receipts or writes down the credit card number before giving the card back to the customer. (A key tool in your employee theft investigation is to look for slips of paper around the register with numbers written on them). They will then use that card number to manually enter it for purchases by friends and family members. They may also take that card number and make on-line purchases. Another very popular option is to re-program another credit card with the newly acquired card number and then go shopping at the customer’s expense.

This has several effects. One, if the card was used fraudulently at your store then you will likely be charged back once the cardholder reports fraud to their credit card company. This causes a loss to your company. The second impact is customer relations. By having your customer’s money taken by an employee they are much less likely to continue to shop at your store and you can bet they will tell their friends. With social media being as popular as it is negative word about your company can spread very rapidly and have a major impact on your business.

For more information on, employee theft investigation, employee theft 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

Rescuing profits with Checkpoint systems

October 22, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Retail theft prevention is on the forefront of most business owners’ minds lately. The struggling economy, high unemployment and the ever decreasing value of the dollar can motivate some people to take up shoplifting just to make ends meet or to obtain those items that they otherwise cannot afford. If a person has the mindset to be able to shoplift, a suffering economy will not stop them and may motivate them. Anti shoplifting techniques will, however, slow down their efforts.

I work for a large retailer that is also seeing the effects of the economy on profitability. Anti shoplifting measures are taken seriously by those of us in the loss prevention field in order to maximize our business’s profits while reducing the losses experienced. We do our best to not stand idly by while our merchandise walks out the doors.

Businesses are seeing more organized retail crime among shoplifters as well, where items are stolen for resale. These types of shoplifters can greatly impact a business by creating a significant loss in a short amount of time. Retail theft prevention ideas can help slow down these shoplifters too.

When you would like your dollar to go a long way in retail theft prevention, Checkpoint systems are available. Checkpoint security tags attach to your high theft and high end merchandise and sound an alarm should the item leave your business without being purchased. A Checkpoint security system also provides a visual deterrent to the would-be shoplifter, announcing it, and your business, as one invested in anti shoplifting.

These are hard times, but retail theft prevention measures such as Checkpoint systems are available. For a minimal investment in anti shoplifting, you can maximize profits for your business.

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

An EASY bottle doesn’t mean a free bottle

October 22, 2011 by Staff Editor

When I first heard of a bottle lock the first question I thought was who is going to hire a bottle security guard. But as I learned more about the reasons behind bottle locks I started to see the bigger picture. Alpha security made a product that would give establishment that dealt with high priced alcohol needed protection for their inventory. Bottle locks offered protection to establishment that were losing inventory overnight. The EASy bottle bottle lock made sure that the contents from the bottle could not be removed. Alpha security address liquor bottle security by making available different types of bottle locks.

Alpha security has given establishments that have had major issues with bottle security a tool they can now use to protect their profits. Establishment such as liquor stores that need some type of Liquor bottle security an EASy bottle is their answer. It provides bottle security by making sure that the contents cannot be drunk and it also deter theft due to the bottle lock being on the bottle. So if your establishment needs some type of Liquor bottle security for your inventory. Alpha Security has different kinds of EASy bottle locks for every business need.

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

Clothing Security: Making Your Business More Profitable

October 22, 2011 by Staff Editor

Many businesses find themselves at a point when investment in clothing security measures becomes a reality of their business. This investment most often comes in the form of various clothing security tags or clothing alarms. The use of clothing security tags is the primary security deterrent used by businesses worldwide. Clothing security tags also know as article security tags provide the user with a physical theft deterrent, which can be used as a part of an overall loss prevention strategy.

These security tags on clothes can act as an active or passive security system. Many security tags on clothes are used as an element to work in conjunction with an overall electronic article system. The electronic article systems also works with various clothing alarms, which can give an immediate notification of removal from the system. This notification is most often an audible clothing alarm that is triggered. As a passive system, clothing security tags present themselves as a visual deterrent to shoplifters. The application of clothing security tags will deter many if not the majority of shoplifters from your place of business.

While working for a major international retailer, I was involved in the planning and implementation of a clothing security strategy. This strategy was a response to an increase in shoplifting across our brand. After instituting the clothing security systems, which included clothing alarms and security tags on clothes the company noticed a drastic reduction in clothing theft and better profit margins at the store level. The use of clothing security had a large and positive impact on profit margins and moral for the company’s stores.

The use of clothing security can benefit both small and large retail businesses. It allows the business owner to control their loss and lower the bottom line. This can improve the business profit margins and create a safer environment for employees.

To purchase clothing security tags or a clothing alarm please visit the loss prevention store.

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

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

Prevent shoplifting from Organized Retail Crime rings

October 22, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

For those of you who may not know, Organized Retail Crime (ORC) rings account for more dollars lost annually than all other shoplifters combined. ORC activity costs retailers billions each year and it is increasing rapidly. Retailers must be aware of theft patterns in their store and take measures to ensure that they are not targeted by ORC groups.

One major way to prevent shoplifting from ORC groups is to utilize retail anti theft devices. There are many devices to choose from. In truth, there is no one answer. Each business will need to utilize several retail anti theft devices specific to their products and the groups stealing from them. For example, you may use EAS tags for your standard items and then utilize Keeper Cases or Spider Wraps for specific high dollar and high theft items. You will also want to consider what items you are applying retail anti theft devices to. Not everything needs an EAS tag or needs to be in a Keeper Case. Think of what items could be easily sold at a flea market, pawn shop or on Ebay. There is probably not a huge market for pillows so you can skip that item. On the other hand electronics, jeans and baby formula are all great examples of high target products.

Another option is to mark you product with your store name and number. For example, if you have baby formula, use a sharpie to write your company name and the location number on the product. This will identify the product as belonging to your company if you find it being sold elsewhere and will help the police recover your stolen goods. It also reduces the resale value as fencing operations don’t want to risk selling marked goods and that goes a long way to prevent shoplifting.

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

Will the Checkpoint System Stop Shoplifters if They are Opportunists?

October 22, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

There are three main categories of shoplifters; the Opportunist, the Amateur, and the Professional. The Opportunist can be quite problematic, as they never plan in advance on stealing. They are presented with an opportunity such as getting back incorrect change at the register, a cashier not ringing up all items, or clothes left in a fitting room. The situation will get the better of them, and they will cause a loss to your store.

So how can you stop shoplifting when it seems that they only steal by chance? It is all in the preparation. By using Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint security tags you can greatly decrease the opportunity to have your merchandise stolen.

If a shirt is left in a fitting room and a customer goes in to try on some clothes, they may consider stealing that shirt since the employees don’t know its there. They will, however, look to see if there is an RF label or RF security tag. If one is present, they will leave the shirt and go about their business as they normally would.

Same goes for smaller items like jewelry or wallets. If this customer notices no one paying attention as they shop this area, they are again presented with an opportunity to steal. As they consider slipping that wallet into their purse, They will look inside for signs of RF security labels or some sort of Checkpoint security tag.

Using RF security labels and RF security tags is one of the easiest, cost effective deterrents to help stop shoplifting in your store. Once they are on your merchandise, they will stay on until removed at the point of sale. This visual presence will scare off the Opportunist shoplifter in your store.

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

Employee theft and shoplifting what is the difference – Atlanta Georgia

October 21, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Internal theft is just as big a problem as shoplifting, even though many people believe that employee theft rarely occurs. I have conducted numerous employee theft investigations in locations where management believed it was just an isolated issue involving just one disgruntled employee.

During one such employee theft investigation I started looking into a customer disputing a credit card charge. This customer complaint led to the arrest and conviction of seven cashiers, one supervisor and one assistant manager. The group of employees was copying customer’s credit card information. They would then pass the information to friends who would come into the store and purchase items. The smallest information during an internal theft case can lead to a much bigger employee theft organized theft case.

Employee theft cases can cause companies to lose millions of dollars in profits, so companies need to be proactive to prevent internal theft. During the hiring process the business must explain how serious they take employee theft. I put together a program at my last employer where all employees would complete a security orientation. This orientation would show all employees’s how serious we take security at the establishment.

All business must make it be known that when an employee theft investigation is being conducted their will be severe legal consequences. If as an employee you think that stealing a candy bar is not going to harm the company financially. You are incorrect every time an item is stolen no matter what the cost it’s taking away from the company profits. If a company losses outweigh their profits it has to start cutting back. So the nickel that an employee is stealing from the company in reality you are stealing it from your own pocket. Internal theft not only affects the business, but also the employees who lose their job because the company goes out of business.

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

THE HARSH REALITY OF EMPLOYEE THEFT

October 21, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Employee theft is something every business fears, especially small business owners and niche retailers. We’re in the sales business! We make money on the volume of merchandise we sell. It is not about buying an item for $10 bucks and re-selling it for $100. Sure everyone would love to earn a 900% profit on every purchase.

It is just not realistic in this economy!

Employee theft occurs for a number of reasons and most employers never know what has happened until it is too late. All it takes is one dishonest employee and one fraudulent transaction for your profits to become non-existent.

Internal theft is the primary cause of shortage for all retailers. “When times get tough”, it is likely you could be required to conduct an employee theft investigation.

How do you protect yourself from employee theft?

1. Stay informed.

Arm yourself with the information you need to make good business decisions.

2. Know your people and your product.

Internal theft can be deterred with an effective loss prevention strategy.

3. Get assistance from an experienced LP professional.

Employee theft investigation revolves around gathering evidence through the use of sounds loss prevention strategies that make theft easy to detect.

A company I once worked for hired a loss prevention consultant to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to manage our inventory process. The plan included a variety of internal controls that helped us realize our strengths and weaknesses.

Three months after executing the strategy we identified a serious employee theft problem in our shipping and receiving department. We contacted our LP consultants and they conducted a rigorous employee theft investigation into the company’s inventory shortages.

Our suspicions were confirmed and the internal theft problem was quickly resolved. The loss prevention strategy we implemented helped us build a criminal case against our dishonest employees to recover the stolen merchandise. That was the last time an employee shipped un-purchased merchandise from our warehouse to the residence of friends and family.

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