Employee Theft and Shrink Go Hand in Hand

September 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Some business owners may believe that the cause of their lost profit and shrink is shoplifting. It’s easier to blame the questionable customers that may frequent our business than it is to believe that the very employees we trust with our business may be stealing. Statistics prove, however, that businesses typically suffer more loss from employee theft than they do from shoplifters.

Employee theft, or internal theft, is exactly as it sounds: it is theft that is committed against a business by its employees. It can be harder to detect, and the loss can be greater because there is greater opportunity for the theft to occur. Also, many business owners look past the employees as the possible cause for the losses that they may be experiencing.

Many smaller businesses do not have much experience with conducting an employee theft investigation. While larger businesses have a loss prevention or asset protection division that handle such things, smaller businesses may need to look to outside help when they are experiencing internal theft. Experts can be called in that are trained to conduct interviews, analyze reports and make recommendations as to what action needs to be taken to resolve the issue.

Businesses can take measures to help prevent employee theft. For example, a business can make sure that key controls are in place to prevent unauthorized employees from accessing high theft merchandise. Secure areas can also be managed by proper key controls. Additionally, businesses need to have an idea of what their inventory levels are at all times so that it is noticed immediately when merchandise may be missing.

Even the most involved business owners may experience internal theft at some point in their careers. How the employee theft investigation is conducted can mean the difference between forever being a victim to employee theft or acting appropriately so the problem is taken care of and others may think twice before committing the same crime.

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

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Dream of Better Profits with Checkpoint Systems

September 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment

You are a business owner living the American dream, operating a profitable business. You are not one to let shoplifting stand in the way of good profits and common business sense. You want to do what you can to protect your merchandise. This American dream can only be a reality if retail theft prevention is an important part of your business plans.

 

An option for anti shoplifting strategies in your business is a Checkpoint security system. Checkpoint security tags can be attached to your high theft merchandise, allowing for you to display it prominently, increasing visibility and sales. Merchandise displayed out in the open, as opposed to merchandise that is secured in locked cases, can experience higher sales. Customers do not have to wait for a sales associate to unlock the merchandise and the customer also does not feel pressure to make a decision about the product they are looking at.

 

 Checkpoint security tags also are a visual deterrent to the shoplifter, telling them that you do have some knowledge about retail theft prevention. Shoplifters do not want to have to take the time to figure out how to get around your anti theft devices. It is easier to move on to an unprotected business.

 

We often feel as if the shoplifters are one step ahead of us. It is frustrating to see the various methods that thieves use to rip off our businesses. Minimal investment in retail theft prevention, such as Checkpoint systems, can put you as the business owner a significant step ahead of the losses that you previously experienced. You do not have to let that dream of profitability die.

 

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

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EASy Bottle locks. One of several bottle security options that works.

September 25, 2011 by

Alpha Security is starting to distinguish itself above many of the other developers in anti shoplifting devices.  The reason is twofold.  One, Alpha Security is developing security solutions, such as liquor bottle security, that many other providers don’t touch.  Secondly, Alpha Security designs its products to promote openly displaying product which is better for sales than using locked cases.

One of the prime solutions that Alpha features is its line of bottle security bottle locks.  There are several bottle locks to choose from to best fit your needs.  One is the EASy bottle bottle lock.  This EASy bottle bottle lock works with your existing EAS system (both AM and RF) to sound the alarm when theft is taking place.  The new units feature a clear top that is very visually aesthetic and also allows the tax ID stamp to be easily viewed.  This can be used for liquor bottle security or most any other type of alcohol bottle security as it comes in several sizes.

For items like champagne that have foil wraps and large tops you may choose the steel grip bottle lock.  This item goes around the stem of the bottle and has an EAS tag built in.  It won’t damage the packaging of the bottle, but still gives you the bottle security you need to reduce the chance of theft.

If you sell alcohol in your store you understand the importance that bottle security plays in protecting your profits.  Don’t let your sales be capped due to locking the product up.  Use one of the bottle locks available to protect your product and your sales.

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

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

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3 Easy Break Room Activities with Checkpoint Tags That Help Stop Theft

September 25, 2011 by

At the company I work for clothing security tags play a large role in making sure we keep shoplifting incidents to a minimum and go a long way to protect our profits. We use Checkpoint tags on a regular basis and, though our clothes come in from the vendor with the tags on, we still have to put the security tags on clothes that are returned by our customers before the merchandise heads back out to the floor. Here are some easy tricks I found that helped me to train the sales staff where to place the clothing security tags and how to take them on and off for our customers.

1.      Host a clothing alarm contest. Dress a mannequin in a number of pieces of merchandise and ask your sales people to guess which items have security tags on them that would need to be removed. Provide a prize like a candy bar for everyone who gets the right answer.

2.      Have a race to see who can most quickly remove Checkpoint tags from items at point of sale. Missing tags that needed to be removed loses points. Tags removed are one point each. The one with the most points at the end of the time frame is the winner.

3.      Pin security tags on clothes. Take photographs of popular clothing items and ask your sales force to “pin” the tags on the clothes. Provide incentives for participation and post the right answers afterwards so everyone can learn.

 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

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STOP! THIEF!! DON’T STEAL ME!!!

September 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Wouldn’t it be great if merchandise could help raise an alert when someone was attempting to steal it?  Now it can.  Alpha Security provides several retail anti theft devices that alert you to theft in several ways.

 The first way is with the AM or RF (whichever you choose) alarm system that you use.  The Alpha spider wraps and S3 alarm tags will work with your existing EAS system to sound the door alarms when someone tries to leave with tagged merchandise.  Additionally, both devices have built in alarms that will activate if the product is taken too far from the store.  Imagine someone trying to load up a bag full of product and then walk through the mall with all of these alarms going off in their bag.  Call me crazy, but I imagine that will bring them quite a lot of unwanted attention.

 Finally, the spider wraps will alarm if they are tampered with.  The spider wraps have a wire that is used to wrap around the product and attach the device to the product.  If someone tries to cut the wire to remove the spider wrap then the alarm sounds and employees can respond immediately to the situation.

 Retail anti theft devices are never going to stop all of the theft, but you will be amazed at how much you can prevent shoplifting with tags that “speak for themselves”.

 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

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RF Labels That Work For You

September 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Figuring out how to stop shoplifting from occurring, can be a tough nut to crack with some items. Clothing items take RF security tags well. You usually locate the Checkpoint security tags on a seam or similar location. But what are tricky in RF systems are items like leather, purses, belts, bags and hats. An RF system relies on the use of RF security labels but what do you do when the RF label is either too large or the use of a pin is not practical or it will damage the product?

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

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

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

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

 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 – Atlanta Georgia

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Customer service backfires and causes employee theft – Atlanta Georgia

September 24, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Now before I get hung at high noon, let me explain.  I’m not saying to stop customer service or that it is bad.  What I do hope to bring to light is that many things we do in the name of customer service allow employees to take advantage and create internal theft (the retail name for employee theft).

An interesting example of this type of employee theft came to light during a recent employee theft investigation I worked.  Like many companies, mine has a register function to “comp” the price of an item for the sake of customer service.  If we made a mistake we can use this function to alleviate the cost to the customer, but it keeps the item on the receipt for inventory purposes.  Sounds great in theory and as expected the customers love it.  On the down side we had a cashier figure out that she could use that function to take the whole price off of an order.  She then used this to create a little over $1,000 in internal theft of cash over about a month’s time.

The employee theft investigation revealed the following.  What she was doing was ringing up a customer like normal.  If the customer pulled out cash, she would then enter the code for “customer service” and essentially “pay” for the order with that function.  She would still give the total to the customer, take the cash, use a “No Sale” to open the drawer and manually make the change for the customer.  The customer got their full receipt and change and never knew anything odd happened.  What this did was build extra money in the till (which she later pocketed) since she took cash that the register did not know about.  In addition, she would use this function to give free product to her friends who came through the line.

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

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Checkpoint Security Tags…The Secret Weapon

September 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A lot has been written about anti shoplifting devices like the Checkpoint security system. But the most versatile tools in the war are Checkpoint security tags. Checkpoint security tags work with your Checkpoint security system in a retail theft prevention aspect.

Unlike acousto magnetic labels, which are about the size, shape and thickness of a piece of “chicklet” gum the Checkpoint labels are paper-thin making the versatile in that they can either be easily hidden inside packaging or placed obviously on the outside as an altogether deterrent.

They come in so many varieties that it is hard to keep up with them. Checkpoint security tags can be white, black, clear which allows a packages barcode to show through. They can be printed on with your own printed with barcodes, logos, pricing information and more. You can also stick your own label over the top of them.

As far as size, Checkpoint labels have a wide range of sizes. This ranges from the postage stamp size to a 1.5” x 1.5” size. And there are many in between. For example the very popular 710 label is 1.3” x 1.4”. There are two sizes of round labels and they fit very well on the bottom of bottles such as medicines. They also work very well on the bottom of small square boxes. The round shape means that the corners of a label do not hang over the edges.

Another great series of Checkpoint security tags is the 615. The 615-barcode label has not only a fake barcode but also a small box printed on it that allows another sticker to be applied such as a logo or price tag. This all goes to hiding the intent of the Checkpoint labels.

And, of course, in the arsenal of retail anti shoplifting devices is the Checkpoint systems themselves. Checkpoint Systems latest tool is the Evolve system. As anti shoplifting goes this is the top of the pile. Evolve has so many features packed into it I will need to write a separate blog for that. But for now consider the following Evolve features: superior detection with new revolutionary electronics, people counting, alarm detection that can tell if a customer is entering or leaving the store.

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

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

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Bottle locks. Because anyone can be a thief.

September 22, 2011 by

There are many reasons to steal alcohol.  Persons under 21 want to drink, but can’t legally purchase the product.  The homeless guy on the corner can’t afford the price.  The resale value is intriguing for Organized Retail Crime rings.  Employee’s find it easy and maybe don’t like the boss so that’s a win-win.  The regular guy just wants to see if he can get away with it.

With all of these factors it’s a wonder many liquor stores are still in business.  To this end I want to suggest stores who sell any type of alcohol products to consider using some type of bottle security as a way to protect their products from the ever lurking thieves.  I personally use bottle locks by Alpha Security at the grocery store chain where I work.  The EASy bottle bottle locks are amazing.  They are small and don’t impact the ability to stock the shelves.  The EASy bottle bottle locks work with the existing EAS system to alarm in the event someone does try to steal the product. 

The benefit of using a bottle lock is twofold.  One, it deters theft by preventing shoplifters from being able to get to the “product” which is the contents of the bottles.  It also allows me to openly display my higher end product which has increased sales.  Customers like to handle product and are more likely to buy when they can touch the product and when they don’t have to wait on an employee to unlock a case.  Since using bottle security products by Alpha Security I have seen a decrease in theft and an increase in sales.  No more proof needed to let me know that liquor bottle security is a great investment.

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

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Checkpoint tags a hit among specialty boutiques

September 22, 2011 by

Everyone expects to find security tags on clothes at your major department stores and chain stores.  Many don’t really expect to find clothing security tags on products at specialty boutiques.  The reason is simple.  In reality many specialty boutiques don’t use clothing security.  As to be expected these stores are often targeted by thieves and are much more likely to go out of business than the major chains.

 It is hard to be an independent business owner in retail.  The larger stores and chain stores certainly have an advantage of being known and their brands trusted.  This puts smaller stores behind from a sales standpoint, but they are often put further behind because of theft.  Thieves are generally equal opportunity bad guys.  They don’t discriminate when it comes to who they steal from.  (Progressive I know).  With that said it is important that boutiques know that they too can enjoy the same clothing security that the big boys use.

 Checkpoint tags and clothing alarm systems are more reasonably priced than they have ever been.  Like all parts of a business the system is an investment.  It is an expense up front that has the expectation that you will save more in stolen product than you paid for the system.  Checkpoint tags also come in a variety of sizes and types so you can customize a solution that is right for your business.  It is important that you still get to display your merchandise how you want and with Checkpoint tags that will never be a problem.  Whether you use hard tags or sensor tags built into the price tag, you can easily add clothing security to your store.

 While the goal of being a specialty boutique is to stand out from the crowd, don’t let that statement to be that you are an easy mark for theft.

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

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

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