Staff Editor — Page 248

Clothing security tags are a must for your new fall line.

September 17, 2011 by Staff Editor

As summer is coming to an end, most clothing retailers are starting to prepare for the new fall merchandise. One critical element to protecting your new line is utilizing clothing security tags and a clothing alarm.

There are several important reasons to put security tags on clothes. First, we all know that traditionally, cold weather merchandise is more expensive than warm weather. It takes a lot more fabric and insulation to make the cold weather products like jackets and such versus a skimpy swim suit. Another critical reason why it is more necessary to use clothing security in the fall and winter is because it is easier to steal. If someone comes in with a t-shirt and shorts in the summer, there in not much they can easily conceal. Conversely, in the winter someone with a large jacket can conceal quite a large amount of merchandise without raising much suspicion.

I rely on Checkpoint tags as my form of clothing security. Checkpoint tags can be placed on all of the items I carry. I generally don’t use clothing security for all items, but rather strategically place tags on high dollar and high theft items. When someone tries to take these items the clothing alarm at the door will sound and give me the chance to react. Now it is true that some will continue to run out and get away with product. The advantage of having the clothing alarm is that I now know who that person is and my staff can be on the look-out the next time they come in. Secondly, that person knows that we use security tags on clothes and they are less likely to risk trying to steal from me again.

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

Loss Prevention Agents are the best way to prevent shoplifting.

September 17, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

There is no better solution to prevent shoplifting than utilizing Loss Prevention Agents. LP Agents are best utilized in addition to standard retail anti theft devices. Here is how.

Catching shoplifters is a hard task to do properly. If done improperly the store can face expensive litigation for false imprisonment, defamation of character, etc. This is why I strongly urge companies to use LP Agents who are trained in the legal and technical aspects of apprehensions as opposed to allowing store personnel to make these detentions. One of the hardest parts of catching good shoplifters is to see them taking and concealing the products. Here is where retail anti theft devices comes in.

The experienced shoplifters are generally going to try to defeat the retail anti theft devices. This is a time consuming process and really makes a shoplifter stand out from other customers. You may have seen that shoplifter picking at the EAS tag or walking around with pliers in their hand. The fact that they have this obstacle really helps the LP Agents pick out the shoplifters and also helps give them the time to get all the necessary steps to making apprehensions.

For many companies you may not have the resources to properly staff and train an LP staff. For this I recommend using contract Loss Prevention. You can still get trained LP Agents and you reduce your own liability in apprehensions as the 3^rd party agent is making the detentions and not the store directly. It is a win-win.

There is no easy answer to prevent shoplifting, but the combination of anti shoplifting devices and LP Agents gives you your greatest advantage.

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

A new season and a new reason to stop shoplifting

September 17, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

As we are headed into the season change from summer to fall many retailers are already getting their new lines of products. Whether you sell clothes, hunting gear or groceries you know that the new season brings about new reasons to shop. FYI, it also brings on new reasons to steal as well. In order to stop shoplifting of your new product I recommend using RF security tags and RF security labels.

RF security tags and RF security labels are what you may commonly know as sensor tags. But these aren’t just your run of the mill sensor tags. Checkpoint security tags and Checkpoint labels work on an RF frequency that can be tuned specific for your store. The reason this is important is that many of the older and lower quality EAS programs have problems with any electronic device causing false alarms. How many times have you heard that a cell phone or keyless entry has triggered a false alarm? The newer technology used with RF labels and tags is designed to prevent these false alarms.

You want to consider this for several reasons. One, it is less wearing on your associates and customers if the alarm is not going off all day due to false alarms. Two, your deterrent effect (which is what will actually stop shoplifting) is reduced when you can’t distinguish between false alarms and actual alarms. Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint security tags are some of the best in the business and will go a long way toward helping you protect you merchandise.

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, RF security tags, Checkpoint security tags, RF labels, RF security 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

Retail theft PREVENTION is the goal.

September 15, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

For as long as retail anti shoplifting devices have been around, I am still surprised by the number of times I hear people say they expect to use Checkpoint security tags to catch shoplifters. For those who may have that mindset, let me share some thoughts with you. The goal of Checkpoint systems and in particular Checkpoint security tags is retail theft prevention. Not to “catch” shoplifters.

One of the key principles I have learned in business is that it is much better to be proactive than reactive. To this end we use anti shoplifting devices in hopes of deterring theft. I often joke when teaching new hire orientation classes that you will never see a sensor tag throw a suspect to the ground. You will never see a sensor tag put handcuffs on anyone and you will never see it take someone to jail. The reason is that is not its intended purpose.

Shoplifters, amateur to professional, know about Checkpoint systems. When they see the anti shoplifting devices on your product they expect the Checkpoint security system at the door to alarm if they try to steal product. Our job is to make sure that when the Checkpoint security system does sound that we react. Now I caution everyone about reacting with the assumption of theft. Most false alarms are due to cashiers not removing a tag on a purchase as opposed to theft. With that said, we need to show would be shoplifters that we are going to stop them and require a receipt or investigate to find out what caused the alarm. This is where the prevention comes in.

Make sure to train your associates how to properly respond to the activations as this is what retail theft prevention should look like.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase retail anti shoplifting 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 – Atlanta Georgia

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

“A Shoplifter Only Stole A $25 Bottle From Me. I Don’t Need Bottle Security.” Guess What…He Got Much More!

September 15, 2011 by Staff Editor

That $25 bottle actually cost you a lot more in real dollars that liquor bottle security would have prevented. You have to make up for the theft of that bottle just to break even. If your store operates on a typical 2% profit margin. That’s the margin after payroll, tax, insurance, the light bill, and any other overhead you will have to sell and additional $1,250 JUST TO BREAK EVEN ($25/.02). That’s right, the next $1250 goes for making up for the $25 bottle the shoplifter stole. The simple solution is bottle security for your sales floor.

Alpha Security has the best bottle lock products on the market. They are high quality and very easy to use. One twist or push of a button and the bottle security is in place. Liquor bottle security has really come of age. The bottle lock is low profile, light and tough. It requires a special Alpha Security key to unlock them. The bottle lock is also reusable. The cashier simply removes it and drops it into a basket under the cash wrap to be used again on another bottle.

If you lose $500 a week in shoplifting losses that is $26,000 per year in theft that translates to $1.3 million dollars a year in actual losses to you. No company can make money in that environment.

One of the first liquor bottle security devices that Alpha Security created is called EASy Bottle (Electronic Article Surveillance). EASy Bottle is a solid black bottle lock that comes in several sizes. It prevents the bottle from being opened in the store and if a shoplifter attempts to steal the bottle then the bottle lock sets off the Checkpoint System at the doors. There are now newer versions such as Crystal Guard and EASy Guarde. Those bottle locks have clear acrylic tops and are a much lower profile. They fit on the shelf better and have a much smaller over all footprint. EASy Bottle bottle locks are so popular that they are still available.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store for your liquor bottle security needs

For more information about bottle security or bottle locks 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

300 Million Shoplifters And Clothing Security

September 15, 2011 by Staff Editor

According to the Insurance Information Institute there are nearly 300 million shoplifting incidents per year. This is an all out attack on retailers large and small. The big store chains have figured it out. They use store investigators, clothing security, customer service and other techniques and tools. So why haven’t you?

Clothing security is not rocket science. If you use Checkpoint tags you place the security tags on clothes and that lets the shoplifter know that you are simply not going to roll over and die when the shoplifter tries to clean you out. Security tags on clothes are inexpensive and very effective. They come in different shapes, sizes and configurations.

The clothing alarm goes at the front of your store at the customer entrance/exit. When the shoplifter tries to steal a protected item the security tags on clothes will trip the clothing alarm and the shoplifter is uncovered. The system works 24/7 and needs little attention. Checkpoint Security Systems is the leader in this industry.

Checkpoint tags are reusable. The cashier removes them at the time of checkout. They are then taken back and recycled onto another piece of clothing.

Clothing security tags and a clothing alarm combined with good customer service is the solution to shoplifting. When faced with this “wall” shoplifter will go elsewhere where the pickings are easier. This will be your competitor who is not protected.

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 with Retail Anti-Theft Devices

September 15, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

It can be frustrating to watch your profits walk out the door if you don’t have a plan in place to help prevent shoplifting. Every time someone steals something from you it’s like they hit your bottom line twice because you lost the product but also potentially a sale of that product to a legitimate customer. Shoplifting can also cause a service issue when items we offer to sale aren’t on our shelves for our customers. Where I work we use a combination of retail anti-theft devices like hard and soft EAS tags and spider wraps in conjunction with CCTV and security personnel and get great success.

Preventing shoplifting can be as easy as hiring a loss prevention investigator or using retail anti-theft devices such as RF tags, CCTV equipment, Alpha spider wraps, bottle locks and EAS tags. Some methods, such as EAS, are a great and simple visual deterrant for shoplifters. They not only make it more difficult for shoplifters to use the merchandise they steal but also establish the impression of control by letting everyone who comes in your store know you take theft seriously and actively work to prevent it.

Retail anti-theft devices are an investment that pays for itself in terms of increased sales, better service to your customers and greater awareness of the physical security of your business and assets in your sales associates. The devices are easy to install and remove and there are a wide variety of options available depending on your merchandising and product needs. There are a number of ways you can prevent shoplifting in your establishment.

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

RF Labels Help Stop Shoplifting

September 15, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Where I work, Checkpoint security tags play an important role in not only helping us stop shoplifting, but also in providing awesome customer service. The Checkpoint labels serve as a visual deterrent for would-be thieves but the use of the tags also lets our customers know we care about keeping prices low for them and are dedicated to work to stop shoplifting in our store.

My store team uses soft RF security labels on smaller merchandise that is frequently stolen or new items that are high dollar that we think might be a potential target item for thieves. Using soft RF security labels on these products gives us a lot of flexibility as we can change where we use the tags to get the most out of our investment. As we notice theft trends change, we can easily adapt by placing tags on different merchandise.

We also use had RF security tags on our clothing merchandise and items like purses and comforters. We have to be very diligent in training our associates to take them off since they aren’t deactivated at point of sale like the RF labels are. Our cashiers do a great job with this which keeps our customers happy because they don’t have to come back and have tags removed before they can wear the merchandise like often happens at other retailers.

Considering using Checkpoint labels 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 – Atlanta Georgia

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 coupons on your radar? It should be.

September 15, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

I already here the questions. Are you really concerned about coupon fraud? My answer. YOU BET!! Employee theft, also called internal theft, comes in many different forms. With today’s economy more and more people are looking for coupons in order to save money. This can be a big bonus for stores; especially if you work in a business that uses a lot of coupons as you can grow incremental sales this way. On the downside it is just one more way to incur employee theft.

Internal theft of coupons can do a few negative things. One, it cuts into profits by causing a cash loss. Most manufacturers will reimburse the stores for coupons redeemed. If a customer redeems a coupon and then the employee takes it and uses it for their purchase, or a friends purchase, then you will only get reimbursed once. The other time the coupon was used it just came out of your pocket. The second issue with this type of internal theft is vendor relations. Some companies, like grocery, conduct too many coupon transactions for each one to be individually counted by the manufacturers. What they generally do is spot audit individual days and just assume the numbers are right. If you have a lot of coupon fraud then the manufacturers may be reimbursing you for coupons you don’t actually have and when they find that on the spot audits it puts mud on your face as a company and calls your ethics into question.

The only way to prevent this is to routinely conduct an employee theft investigation looking for coupons fraud. The first place to start is by looking at cashiers that are well above everyone else on coupon transactions. The second is look at employee purchases with coupons. Both of these could lead you to a founded case of coupon fraud.

I know an employee theft investigation is time consuming, but they don’t make a coupon to “save” you from internal theft.

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

Can your Checkpoint security tags be used for something other than protecting inventory?

September 15, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Your Checkpoint security tags protect your merchandise 24/7. They don’t call in or take a vacation. A properly used system will dramatically drop your shoplifting losses. But what else can your Checkpoint security tags be used for?

How about controlling store use items such as tools and equipment? You could place RF security labels on these items that would alert you if they were being removed from the store. We know that people will steal anything that in not nailed down this includes store property. This could also include pricing guns and any other merchandise labeling equipment.

Do not forget office equipment and supplies that may have a tendency to walk away with either customers or employees.

You can also protect smaller items such as keys. Attach RF security tags to customer restroom keys. That way if the customer simply forgets to return them you will know. Store staff keys could also be tagged with RF security tags. This is not an issue of theft but just forgetting to put them back before going home. Have you ever come in one morning and the person who closed took the keys home by accident?

Documents and paperwork that are not to leave the store can also be protected with Checkpoint labels. Again it is probably not an issue of someone stealing it. You just do not want it to leave the store.

Rental equipment or items should also be protected with RF security tags or RF labels until they have been properly rented and the customer is then authorized to remove them.

For more information about contact us at or call 1.770.426.0547

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.

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