Alpha Security Products Helped Me Save My Profits

August 4, 2011 by

 

Can you say the same thing? Alpha Security products have helped many retailers, but there are even more that continue to sell merchandise without any protection.

Alpha security has a long list of merchandise security products designed to help the retailer protect their assets and boost their profits. One particular line of security devices I ensure my teams use daily is EASy bottle locks. Many of my stores have strong liquor sales and can attribute these sales to as much as 30% of overall store sales. EASy bottle locks protect liquor bottles by simply popping this top onto the top of the bottle. Using the bottle top prevents the customer from “sampling” the merchandise and keeps thieves at bay. Liquor Bottle security should be the priority of any liquor retailer. With such a high potential for profits it’s a no brainer to protect.

A manager told me a story once when he first started using bottle locks. His store went from selling high-end liquor items behind the counter to displaying them openly on the sales floor. He said he had always been extremely nervous about putting the items out and felt that if the high-end items were freely merchandised people were simply going to rush in and steal everything. With the new liquor bottle security system each item going out on the sales floor had a bottle lock, yet he was so used to theft in his store that he was still unsettled. Liquor bottle security was new to him, but he was willing to give it a shot. Another store of his was doing the same kind of roll out, so there was a lot of communication between the two. They shared their concerns with each other on the new bottle security measures and told their strategies of each. They both agreed that the bottle lock would help their liquor sales and theft problems.

To this day, this 2 store chain has grown to 7 stores. The manager/owners agree that bottle security played a huge part in their success.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store to purchase bottle locks.

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

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Keep Prices Low with Clothing Security

August 4, 2011 by

One of the most shoplifted items in businesses is clothing. Everyone needs it and it is fairly easy to conceal. Businesses that sell clothing have an extra challenge to make sure that they can still bring in a profit while protecting the merchandise that they sell. Clothing security tags can be an option to help out with this task.

 

Clothing security tags are attached to clothing, making it less desirable to steal. The clothing security device is removed at the registers when the item is paid for, and then it can be reused on other clothing that you would like to display. Security tags on clothes are a visual deterrent to the potential shoplifter, and they also sound a clothing alarm should the merchandise go out of the business’s doors without being purchased.

 

In today’s retail environment, along with today’s challenging economy, most people are looking to save a few dollars. For shoplifters, it may mean that they would like to steal more so they can spend less. For honest customers, saving a few dollars may mean making their hard earned money spread a little further by finding the best deal available. For businesses, a minimal investment in clothing security can have a powerful impact on profitability.

 

 When shoplifting is out of control, costs to businesses increase substantially. The price of items offered to customers has to increase as well, in order to recoup the losses experienced due to shoplifting. Clothing security can help stop this vicious cycle by reducing losses due to shoplifting, so you can keep your prices reasonable.

 

There is something you can do to protect the clothing that you sell. Consider security tags on clothes to protect your merchandise and increase your bottom line.

 

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

 

For more information on 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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Business Owner Uses Social Media to Prevent Shoplifting

August 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

 

Always looking for new ways to prevent shoplifting, and Eau Claire business owner has tried a rather new method. Link to full story here.

 The owner of a downtown children’s boutique noticed a pregnant shopper who seemed “very normal” walking around the store and looking at the merchandise.  The shopper went upstairs and continued to look through the racks of clothing.  The owner saw that when the shopper come down from the second level of the shop, she was carrying a large shopping bag with her coat draped over it.

 This made the owner suspicious and she began to watch the shopper, thinking that her presence might prevent shoplifting if that’s what the customer was thinking.

 When a deliveryman came in with a package, the shopper took advantage and followed closely behind him as he left the store.

 Still suspicious, the owner decided to review the recording from the store’s CCTV system to see if there had indeed been any theft going on.  Sure enough, the video showed the woman taking several items of clothing and putting them in the bag.  The video confirmed what the owner suspected:  She had been victimized by a thief.

 The owner happened to be working on an ad for a page she maintained on a popular social networking website.  She realized that she had over 1400 “fans” of her site and wondered if any of them might know her shoplifter.  She used her smart phone to record the video of the shoplifter in action and uploaded it to the social networking web site for all her visitors to see.

 It remains to be seen if there will be any results from the posting, but this does show the frustration business owners experience when customers steal from them.  It also demonstrates that retailers are always ready to use new and innovative ways to prevent shoplifting.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store for products to help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

 For more information on how you can prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Employee Theft – The 10-10-80 Rule Atlanta Georgia

August 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Regarding employee theft, there is a widely held rule of thumb among professional auditors, accountants, and most everyone else involved in the detection and/or apprehension of dishonest employees called the 10-10-80 rule: 10 percent of employees will steal no matter what measures employers take; 10 percent will never steal regardless of the circumstances; and 80 percent will steal if all the right conditions are met.

The employer’s goal then, is to reduce the likelihood that the 80 percent will steal by reducing the opportunity that an employee will be able to steal and get away with it.

This is accomplished through a number of sound personnel practices such as separation of duties so that one employee doesn’t have responsibility for all tasks in a given operation (such as receiving or accounting), adequate supervision and review of bank reconciliation and payroll and vendor checks, and conduct unannounced audits of all operations front to back.

But every business will eventually become victim to some form of employee theft and loss of assets such as cash, merchandise, supplies, or intellectual property.

When internal theft is suspected, the next step is an employee theft investigation conducted by a loss prevention or corporate fraud investigator.  A business owner has expertise in operating his business, but often trusts others to handle the back office and routine tasks.  Once a dishonest employee discovers that he has free reign to steal it can take months and years to discover the thefts.

A loss prevention or corporate fraud investigator can help determine the depth and scope of the employee theft.  Often, the perceived involvement of one employee is only the proverbial tip of the iceberg, as there are collaborators or witnesses that should also be developed.

The advantages of using an experienced fraud investigator in an employee theft investigation situation are many.  Among them are experienced in interviewing suspects and witnesses and developing evidence; familiarity with legal issues and employment law that affect employees; exposure to many types of internal theft; and working for the welfare of the business alone.

Reduce or eliminate employee theft through careful planning and a swift reaction to any suspicion of internal theft.

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

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Anti Shoplifting Efforts Boost Profits

August 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Anti shoplifting programs have been around for many years. However, most involve the almost exclusive efforts of the apprehension of shoplifters. Although helpful, apprehending shoplifters is not the only constructive way to stop shoplifting. To stop shoplifting a dedicated, combined effort of retail theft prevention (like checkpoint tags) programs are necessary.

Checkpoint Security systems and checkpoint tags have been around for years, and are proven methods to proactively stop shoplifting. Of the many retail anti theft devices on the market today, Checkpoint security systems offer the retailer the tools to be anti shoplifting and the expertise to keep profits in stores. If you haven’t seen or heard of checkpoint security systems, you’ve been missing out. These checkpoint systems  work by recognizing checkpoint security tags which are affixed to merchandise that passes through the system.  Checkpoint systems are located almost everywhere. You walk into most any retailer and you’ll see the Checkpoint towers at the entrance/exit.

Checkpoint labels are another form of anti shoplifting tool. Attaching these checkpoint labels to smaller, easier to conceal merchandise is key. Once attached, the checkpoint labels become very difficult to remove, especially without damaging the merchandise. Retail theft prevention starts with checkpoint security systems. From here, you can build a solid program that will drive sales, safety and service.

You can find many retail anti theft devices on the market today but none are as tested and as trusted as the checkpoint security system itself.  A checkpoint security system is a leader in the retail theft prevention world and will continue to encourage the efforts of many retailers, through the regular use of checkpoint security tags; they will continue to help protect their profits.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store.

For more information on checkpoint labels, checkpoint security system, checkpoint security systems, checkpoint security tags, checkpoint systems, checkpoint tags, retail anti theft devices, retail theft prevention or stop shoplifting contact us at anti shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

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Bottle Locks Make Cheaper Thieves

August 2, 2011 by

Using bottle locks by Alpha Security has the desired benefit of providing liquor bottle security through its application, saving expensive brands from pilferage and unauthorized pouring, and deterring shoplifters by increasing the risk of detection.  The deterrent factor of the bottle lock generally forces the shoplifter who is determined to steal a particular brand to visit an easier target, one that uses no bottle security.

But the use of liquor bottle security by the retailer can have the less desirable result of “directing” the shoplifter to a cheaper brand, one that is not protected by an Alpha Security bottle lock.  Although the value of the stolen item is less than the original target, a loss might still occur.

Does this mean that the retailer should give up and not use a bottle lock at all?  Hardly.  The retailer has the option of protecting more of even his second tier merchandise with Alpha Security products.

The EASy bottle bottle lock fits over the top of the bottle and prevents the top from being removed, as well as providing EAS technology to detect the item being carried out of the store.  Some liquor retailers refer to these as “toppers”.

Another type of liquor bottle security is offered by the Steel Guard, which incorporates EAS technology into a band that is locked around the neck of the bottle, but allows the top to be removed.  These are called “neckers” by some of the retail users.

Using a complete EAS system like the ones available from Checkpoint Security Systems allows the liquor retailer to protect not only the high end products, but also the less expensive alternatives that are attractive to thieves.  High theft accessories like flasks and bar tools can be protected through the use of Checkpoint tags and labels which cause an alarm to sound when the item is being removed from the premises, just like the EASy bottle protection.

Alpha Security makes specialty anti theft protection for many other hard to tag items as well as the latest in liquor bottle security and bottle locks.

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 – Atlanta Georgia

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Clothing Alarm Fends Off Would-Be Thieves

August 2, 2011 by

It is truly an inspirational sight. When a clothing alarm activates and scares off the thief. Sometimes, when I visit stores, I’ll take a few minutes to listen and watch for an activated clothing alarm.

Clothing security has always been of huge importance to me. Both from a loss prevention viewpoint and as a store manager, I wanted clothing security. Nothing made me go crazy more than walking into a store and seeing an empty display shelf or rounder missing a large section of clothing to theft. Working in the retail industry, and more specifically, the clothing industry has shown me just how ruthless some thieves can be.

The introduction of security tags on clothes was probably one of the greatest gains in clothing security. Years before clothing security tags were rolled out, many retailers used old cables and sometimes chains to keep their high value merchandise in the stores. What an inconvenience those things turned out to be! I remember trying on a leather jacket with this clumsy, tangled mess of security cable attached. As a customer, I was done. Security tags on clothes took away that mess and allowed the store to protect their merchandise and keep the merchandise accessible to the customer… the best of both.

A sporting goods store I once worked for had rolled out security tags on clothes on some new, high risk merchandise. Before the roll out, it was anticipated that unprotected, the merchandise would experience high loss. The store manager decided prior to attaching the clothing security tags, he would put out some merchandise and see what happens. Sure enough, the manager put out two sections of the high risk items and before he left for the day, an entire display was gone, and not by sales. After that, he never put high value merchandise on the salesfloor without the protection of security tags on clothes.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store.

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

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Prevent Shoplifting Through Increased Employee Awareness

August 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Many retailers look for new ways to prevent shoplifting, when some of the answers are right under their own noses. A well informed employee can make all the difference in the world.

Working in stores for years as loss prevention, I have seen the different levels of involvement from store employees. Most of the time, the employees don’t have a clue as to what shrink is, or what causes the biggest losses in their stores. Employees want to be involved with helping the store increase sales. They want to feel like they are part of the team and that their work is actually making a difference and benefitting the store.  However, many managers either refuse to inform employees or believe they themselves can prevent shoplifting.  These efforts take a combined team working towards the same goal, to prevent shoplifting.

As a former store manager, I was well in tune with loss prevention and every morning I held rally meeting and discussed loss prevention related topics. I would share with them the store shrink number and the hottest theft merchandise. I would also explain to them what shrink was and how it affects the store, overall. I especially more specific if I had a new hire with me. I am proud to say that when I first took over this metro store, the shrink was in excess of 5.5%. In two years, I took that number down to less than 1.5%. The biggest contributing factor to this dramatic reduction? Employee awareness. My employees worked to prevent shoplifting from happening, and enjoyed the challenge.

Any store, no matter how big or small can have the same results as I did. Stay dedicated to your work, sell merchandise and make sure your employees are well informed on how to prevent shoplifting.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store.

 For more information contact us at prevent shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

 

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Employee Theft Destroys Profits

August 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Many retailers can’t understand the true costs of employee theft. It goes much deeper than the simple act of theft itself. Employee theft destroys profits, hurts employee relations and can change the entire atmosphere in the store.

Employee theft investigation is an important part of the retail environment. Even if the managers don’t believe their employees are stealing or causing loss, the chances are much greater they are. In my time as a loss prevention professional, I have seen stores closed, positions eliminated and many other restrictions or reductions due to internal theft. It is serious stuff.

It’s not just a plaque at the store level, internal theft or employee theft is also seen at the corporate level. From simple office equipment theft to more intelligent crimes (or white collar crime) are unfortunate and regular occurrences. White collar crime is sometimes difficult to investigate by persons not experienced in these types of issues, or is maybe a little shy at poking around higher level corporate employees. It’s always recommended when conducting corporate fraud investigation to bring in a corporate fraud investigator. Typically, a corporate fraud investigator is very skilled in this level of employee theft and will work hard to ensure every confidential employee theft investigation is given the highest level of attention and closure.

In stores, internal theft (like corporate fraud investigation) should be investigated as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Gathering information both verbally and visually is a good start. As a manager or business owner, these steps are crucial at maintaining an enjoyable and attractive atmosphere for both employees and customers alike.  No one wants to believe they have bad employees, but the cold hard truth is, you do. Help your business, protect your assets and keep your employees satisfied.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store.

For more information on corporate fraud investigation, corporate fraud investigator, employee theft investigation, internal theft or white collar crime contact us at employee theft or call 1.770.426.0547

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It’s Official! Employee Theft Still a Problem

August 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Preliminary reports from the National Retail Security Survey indicate that employee theft makes up the largest category (over 43%) of overall retail theft in the country.  The amount attributed to internal theft in the one-year period of 2010 is $16.2 Billion.

Retail theft overall was up just over 10% to $37.1 Billion.

Large retailers and small retailers have problems with employee theft.  The larger retailers generally have the luxury of an in-house team of investigators and auditors to stay on top of most situations, and to quickly detect and provide a comprehensive employee theft investigation to rectify the issue.

This is an asset most small business owners don’t have because the number of employees as the large retailers, so the episodes of internal theft occur too infrequently to justify such an expense.

That doesn’t reduce the pain when employee theft hits the business, however.  As a matter of fact, the pain is worse for the smaller retailer because the thefts generally go on for a longer period without being detected, and the amount of theft is proportionately higher to the revenue.

An employee theft investigation is not something that is to be undertaken by an amateur.  Smart businesses have relied on an experienced loss prevention investigator that is available on a case-by-case basis to assist in alleviating the problem.

One of the mistakes small business owners make is the decision to undertake their own employee theft investigation.  Generally, they are too close to the employees and to the business operation to objectively analyze the problem.  Better to employ the loss prevention investigator to determine first how widespread the problem is, who is involved, gather the evidence and stop the bleeding.

Don’t contribute to the national retail theft statistics.  Stop your problem before it severely affects your profits by contacting an experienced loss prevention investigator the minute you suspect employee theft.

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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