antishoplifting

Shoplifters Will Sing A Different Tune When You Use Checkpoint Security Tags

February 6, 2018 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

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Shoplifters Will Sing A Different Tune When You Use Checkpoint Security Tags

Since I have an affinity for music, especially the Oldies and I also have an affinity for Loss Prevention. Since I have caught untold numbers of shoplifters over the years I thought about the incidents and decided that maybe there were songs that could be applied to them

• Runaway – Del Shannon

• Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen

• Fox On The Run – Sweet

• I’ll Come Running Back To You – Sam Cooke (But that NEVER happens with shoplifters)

• Keep On Running – The Spencer Davis Group

• Living Like A Runaway – Lita Ford

• Midnight Run – Example

• Run For Your Life – The Beatles

• Runaway – Del Shannon

• Runaway Boys – Stray Cats

• Runnin’ With The Devil – Van Halen

• Running On Empty – Jackson Browne

• Take The Money And Run – Steve Miller Band

And while there are many more theme songs I could apply to shoplifters (thanks to songfacts.com for making it easier for me to create this list of songs with “Run” in the title) the one song I often wished shoplifters would take a cue from was “Walk Don’t Run” by the Ventures! There was a time when Loss Prevention Associates could pursue a thief in order to stop shoplifting and I did more than my share of chasing. There can be a lot less “Running” by shoplifters if stores would simply use Checkpoint security tags on merchandise because there would be less shoplifting.

You are thinking to yourself, “Did I hear him correctly? Did he say Checkpoint security tags could stop shoplifting?” Yes, you heard me (or read me) correctly, security tags can stop shoplifting. Tags come in hard versions that are pinned to merchandise such as clothing, bath and bedding supplies. Soft tags are available that can be applied to items as small as cosmetics and anything larger. The beauty of either type of tag is that they are compatible with electronic article surveillance pedestals. These pedestals are installed at store entrances/exits and locations in stores where customers should not take merchandise, such as restrooms and employee-only offices. The pedestals are designed to pick up a specific radio frequency emitted by tags within a specific detection field. When products protected with Checkpoint security tags are within that detection field the pedestal alarms and flashes lights. Store employees respond and determine the cause of the alarm. Most of the time the person trying to pass through the detection field is so startled by the alarms that they hurry back into the store and drop the merchandise rather than risk being charged with shoplifting. Additionally most dishonest people know what electronic article surveillance pedestals are so when they enter a store and see them they start looking for tags on merchandise. When they see that a store is diligent in tagging everything they leave and look for a store that does not use anti-theft devices.

When I started out as a Retail Loss Prevention Officer in a department store we used very few electronic article surveillance tags on merchandise. The items we did tag were the higher end items, expensive jeans, coats, dresses and purses. This led to many instances of shoplifters stuffing bags with merchandise, wearing merchandise out of the store and picking up items and just walking out the door. When they would attempt to walk out with an item that had a Checkpoint security tag on it the pedestal alarm would sound and you could see the panic on the shoplifter’s face. Most of the time the merchandise was dropped and the thief would flee assuming they would be arrested. We would never apprehend on an alarm alone but they did not know it and so the tags did what they were intended to do they would stop shoplifting and we recovered the goods. Since there were so many items that were not tagged I had many, many shoplifters who would get out the door without any alarm but when I would stop them the fight or flight factor came into play. Usually it was the fleeing part they would choose and the race was on, hence my reference to shoplifter theme songs. With the assistance of the police I was able to catch most of the bad guys but there were some that gave me a run for my money!

Don’t let criminals “run” all over you, use Checkpoint security tags on all of the items you sell and watch shortage drop. Put an end to shoplifting and enjoy the boost in profits!

For more information about Checkpoint security tags contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

• Runaway – Del Shannon

• Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen• Fox On The Run – Sweet

• I’ll Come Running Back To You – Sam Cooke (But that NEVER happens with shoplifters)

• Keep On Running – The Spencer Davis Group

• Living Like A Runaway – Lita Ford

• Midnight Run – Example

• Run For Your Life – The Beatles

• Runaway – Del Shannon

• Runaway Boys – Stray Cats

• Runnin’ With The Devil – Van Halen

• Running On Empty – Jackson Browne

• Take The Money And Run – Steve Miller Band

When I started out as a Retail Loss Prevention Officer in a department store we used very few electronic article surveillance tags on merchandise. The items we did tag were the higher end items, expensive jeans, coats, dresses and purses. This led to many instances of shoplifters stuffing bags with merchandise, wearing merchandise out of the store and picking up items and just walking out the door. When they would attempt to walk out with an item that had a Checkpoint security tag on it the pedestal alarm would sound and you could see the panic on the shoplifter’s face. Most of the time the merchandise was dropped and the thief would flee assuming they would be arrested. We would never apprehend on an alarm alone but they did not know it and so the tags did what they were intended to do. They would stop shoplifting and we recovered the goods. Since there were so many items that were not tagged I had many, many shoplifters who would get out the door without any alarm but when I would stop them the fight or flight factor came into play. Usually it was the fleeing part they would choose and the race was on, hence my reference to shoplifter theme songs. With the assistance of the police I was able to catch most of the bad guys but there were some that gave me a run for my money!

Don’t let criminals “run” all over you, use Checkpoint security tags on all of the items you sell and watch shortage drop. Put an end to shoplifting and enjoy the boost in profits!

For more information about Checkpoint security tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Checkpoint security tags, stop shoplifting

Food Safety And Food Security; Addressing Two Concerns By Using Checkpoint Labels

January 12, 2018 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

A friend of mine in my office was talking about wanting to try eating Fugu Sushi…I am not a fan of eating raw fish anyways but I had to ask what Fugu Sushi is. My friend explained it is sushi made from…wait for it…Puffer fish! Yup, he wants to try eating poisonous fish. First of all, on my bucket list of things to do before I die, eating something that may expedite my need to complete my bucket list early is not one of them. Second it seems to me this is a food safety issue (or lack of one). Geez, why not just undercook your pork and try eating that to see if you can kill yourself? I have an idea, cut up raw chicken on your countertop and then prepare other foods. Why travel all the way to Japan to commit hari kari? My friend is a little odd. When it comes to food safety I have another take on it and one more palatable to grocery retailers. How about the safety in not worrying about meat being stolen from the cooler shelves? Thieves coming in to steal meat cost a store extraordinary amounts of money and pose a safety risk to other customers and employees. Checkpoint Systems has Checkpoint labels that are safe for food AND can stop shoplifting.

Checkpoint Systems has a wide range of tools to assist stores in reducing shortage caused by theft, fraud and even operational errors. Checkpoint labels are one of the tools offered to protect merchandise. The labels are designed to interact with electronic article surveillance towers touching off a tower alarm when merchandise tagged with a label is carried too close to the detection field of the tower. I have used Checkpoint Systems products as a Loss Prevention Manager and have seen how effective they are in their ability to stop shoplifting. The labels are extremely difficult to pull off of merchandise once put in place. They are also easy to conceal in merchandise when you don’t want the bad guys to know where a tag is placed. As a side note it can be funny watching shoplifters trying to locate hidden tags then finding them and trying to peel them off. Often they get frustrated and just leave the merchandise which is the whole point of merchandise protection.

Okay, now you’re thinking what does food safety have to do with security and Checkpoint labels? Good question. One of the most expensive items a grocery store sells is meat. I was just looking at roasts in my favorite grocery store and a roast beef was $18, a package of steaks $25 and a very large pork roast was half price at $32! I have watched shoplifters stuff steaks down their pants and hide roasts under their coats. The losses can crush a small grocery retailer especially when it is estimated the profit margins for a grocery store range from 1%-3%. That does not leave much room for loss due to theft. That is a financial security issue and one which I have discussed in other articles. There is a safety concern as well because frequently shoplifters will conceal merchandise and run out of a store or if approached by a manager or employee about a suspected theft they will push past anyone in their way. I have seen young children almost pushed to the floor as a shoplifter was desperate to run from a store.

To solve this food safety and security issue Checkpoint Systems has created two labels that can be used to stop shoplifting. One label can be placed on packaging or under meat soaker pads to hide them. Another label is safe for food packaging. Both are food safe and microwave safe. Since they are from Checkpoint both have electronic article surveillance protection designed in them so they will set off towers even if a protected steak is concealed in a shoplifter’s pants.

Yes, this is a bit of a different way of looking at food safety but using Checkpoint labels will stop shoplifting and the safety concerns associated with shoplifter actions. They also keep profits in the store where they need to be.

Checkpoint labels are important and we can help you with them. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Checkpoint labels, checkpoint systems, stop shoplifting

Innovative Solutions To Stop Shoplifting In Stores

December 12, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

In Retail Loss Prevention we are always trying to find new and innovative methods to stop shoplifting. I have a few personal ideas I have wanted to implement:

Armed guards in watch towers at the front entry doors (similar to a prison tower) in order to intimidate potential thieves.
Snarling Doberman Pinschers or German Shepherds, trained to smell stolen merchandise chained at the store exits.
Tiger pits with a trap door that Loss Prevention Officers can open up when a shoplifter leaves the building, thereby avoiding the inevitable fleeing criminal. And think about it, no more shoplifter speeding out of the parking lot potentially injuring people in order to get away!
Drones flying around the store with cameras monitoring all of the customers. When someone starts to conceal merchandise store loudspeakers come on and announce what the suspect is wearing and warning him/her to put the merchandise down.
On the extreme end of the spectrum every customer entering the store receives a personal shopper for the duration of the time they are in the store.
Require everyone entering the store to pay a $5.00 cover charge. If they purchase something the $5.00 is deducted from the purchase amount.

For some odd reason none of my ideas has been picked up by a retailer. I don’t understand it. Despite this there is a method to stop shoplifting that is a little less extreme than my ideas and that is the use of Checkpoint tags on merchandise.

Checkpoint tags are an electronic article surveillance retail anti-theft device that deters and prevents theft. It deters theft in several ways. First, shoplifters who enter the store will recognize the Checkpoint towers at the front doors and may decide against trying to steal from the store. Second, if a crook is still considering stealing after seeing the towers he/she will get a dose of reality if they see that the store tags all of their merchandise not just select items. Tagging everything eliminates the possibility a shoplifter will grab even a cheap item just to get the thrill or the stolen item. Checkpoint tags will stop shoplifting because they are nearly impossible to remove from merchandise without the proper detachment key. It also has radio frequency technology built into it which acts in unison with the tower at the front door. Tagged merchandise carried too close to a tower sets off alarms causing store employees to respond and conduct receipt checks, usually resulting in recovered merchandise. Shoplifters simply don’t want to take a chance on being arrested so they tend to go to those stores where there are few protected items OR no electronic article surveillance at all.

This brings me back to my original point of finding innovative ways to stop shoplifting and theft. They have made different styles of electronic article surveillance towers. Some have been made smaller to take up of less space for smaller retail businesses, some now have the ability to have advertising panels placed in them and others have the ability to detect radio frequency jammers. Tags have also changed from larger hard tags to sleek, disc-shaped tags designed to be less detracting to higher end merchandise such as suits, gowns, and expensive jackets. Alarms at the towers can send alerts to managers and there is software that can assist managers with evaluating alarm response times.

While I am still in favor of cages dropping from the ceiling on someone who has set off an alarm tower at the doors, I recognize that my idea of innovation is not suitable to everyone. In case you fall into that group of people who would call my ideas extreme, I am recommending another innovative solution to stop shoplifting, install an EAS system and use Checkpoint tags on ALL of your merchandise. You will see shortage decline and profits rise.

Need information on Checkpoint Tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Checkpoint tags, stop shoplifting

Shoplifters Can Be A Danger To Your Customers And Employees; Deter Thieves From Coming To Your Store With Checkpoint Tags

November 10, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

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Shoplifters Can Be A Danger To Your Customers And Employees; Deter Thieves From Coming To Your Store With Checkpoint Tags

When you think about merchandise protection and the importance of retail theft prevention have you ever considered the other benefits your business gets from using Checkpoint tags? While it isn’t necessarily an intended consequence, stores that employ measures to deter shoplifters also help protect their employees and customers. I have been involved in Retail Loss Prevention and retail in general for over 27 years. I have personally had to apprehend shoplifters who have had marijuana on their person, and were high when busted. I have fought with shoplifters who were high on cocaine, crack and at least one who was high on methamphetamine. I have apprehended shoplifters with brass knuckles and knives concealed in pockets, waistbands and shoes. I had one instance where a shoplifter lifted his shirt when I went to stop him, showing me the handle of a gun in the front of his pants. The implied threat was obvious, stop him and it could be deadly. There are two reasons for using Checkpoint tags, first to deter theft and second to detect it.

Anti-shoplifting tags have electronic article surveillance (EAS) capability built into them and use radio frequency waves to ensure protected merchandise will be detected by EAS towers. When a thief attempts to walk out with merchandise they are trying to steal, the towers pick up the signal sent out by the tags and an alarm in the tower sounds out a sharp, loud alert. Employees of the store who have been trained on proper alarm response go to the doors and retrieve the product. Often the thief will drop the item or make an excuse that they forgot they had it with them. The first thing the towers and tags do is deter the thieves who are well aware of what towers can do and prefer to avoid stores that use retail theft prevention measures.

Consider that, shoplifters prefer to avoid stores that are using Checkpoint tags. If there are other locations that are nearby where they can go to get merchandise to steal and reduce the chance they will be detected they will do so. Likewise, they also prefer to go to stores where there is little or no customer service. If no one is going to bother them it is easier to get away with theft. How does this keep your customers and employees safer? Not all but many shoplifters are into theft to support their habits. As I mentioned I have had quite a few that I have apprehended that had drugs on their person or where definitely under the influence of drugs. If they don’t want caught they are going other places so your customers are safer.

Another danger posed by shoplifters to your employees, customers and even the shoplifter or someone with them is when they attempt to flee the store. I recall one incident in which I was attempting to apprehend a shoplifter (who I later learned had illegal drugs on her) and she had her young daughter with her. This woman not only fought with me and my partner, she also grabbed her little girl by the arm and tried to run into the parking lot with her, cars driving by, the little girl screaming and us attempting to talk her out of running. I’ve had shoplifters run and jump into their car and speed out of the parking lot nearly hitting other cars and pedestrians. More than one shoplifter has sped out of the parking lot backwards to avoid security cameras or me from seeing their license plate number. In each of these situations people are endangered by the careless acts of a criminal trying to avoid prosecution. The stores I worked in used some retail theft prevention devices and Checkpoint tags but there are many more options on the market today. Protecting more merchandise means reduced options for theft and that means shoplifters go elsewhere.

Shoplifters are a drain on profits and a potential danger to those around them. Keeping thieves out of your stores means your customers feel safer and are more willing to browse and spend time shopping. That all adds up to more money for you. Use retail theft prevention devices on all of your goods and send shoplifters packing.

Need information on Checkpoint tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint tags, retail theft prevention

Retail Theft Prevention Strategies Should Include Building Relationships Part 2

October 12, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

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Retail Theft Prevention Strategies Should Include Building Relationships Part 2

When we talk about retail theft prevention the first thing that comes to mind is a strategy that includes closed circuit television equipment and security personnel (uniformed and undercover). Sometimes people will think of securing product by locking it up in showcases or using electronic article surveillance equipment from a company such as Checkpoint Systems. It might also consist of store layouts, how areas may be corralled to limit access and prevent merchandise from leaving that specific area. In Part 1 I began by walking down memory lane and I talked about how I matured and grew in my perspective on partnerships, theft prevention and some of the influences that changed my perspective. I also discussed how building relations with vendors helped me to build important relationships with local police that proved mutually beneficial to the department and my store. It is this building of relationships that I want to focus on as one strategy for a strong retail theft prevention program.

Retail theft prevention should always be a multifaceted program. Each of the strategies I spoke of in the introduction are important to a well-rounded approach to reduce theft and stock shortage. While protecting merchandise is an important piece of that strategy including careful placement of cameras and mirrors, installing EAS towers from Checkpoint Systems at the front doors and using anti-theft devices to prevent shoplifting, there are other things managers can do to enhance shortage reduction efforts. This includes the creation of employee awareness programs, use of pre-employment screenings and what has become one of my favorite strategies, building external relationships.

As a Loss Prevention Manager, the company I worked for helped to sponsor an annual event with police departments nationwide. The events were community gatherings focusing on efforts to build community relations and strengthen crime watch groups to reduce crime. Our store was so successful that we received requests for assistance from communities 15 or 20 miles away from our store that heard about the program and wanted to participate. Our store team sent representatives to three areas to represent our company. While I have no numbers to prove it impacted shortage reduction directly, I do believe our participation grew our company brand recognition and helped drive sales, which is one way to drive down shrink as a percent to sales.

Our store also had Christmas events in which local schools would have choirs come and sing and students would help with gift wrapping for seniors. I would take advantage of these events to provide tours of my security office for the kids. The looks on their faces was priceless as they saw most of our camera views and saw a demonstration of how a camera could zoom in and read a license plate on a car in the parking lot. When I let them try the camera controls you would have thought they had a new video game unit, it was fun to watch. You may wonder how this would have enhanced a retail theft prevention program. My feeling is that by educating these children early they will be less likely to steal as they get older, remembering what they learned.

I earlier mentioned the vendor relations I built with Checkpoint Systems and my CCTV vendor, but one other relationship that was extremely helpful was one I developed with the site supervisor of the company that was in charge of a major store remodel we went through. By working closely with him and his team, I was able to bring to his attention concerns I had with building security issues as the project progressed. There were workers that would try to bypass our security checks of tool boxes and equipment when they left. There were times when I would find unsecured doors or access ways when work in an area was complete for a day. I had the support of the site manager to challenge his supervisors and workers when I found security concerns. What was the result of this partnership? All I heard before the remodel was how inventory shortage always goes out the roof for the inventory that follows. Our inventory results remained well under 1%, in line with prior year results.

The old saying goes, there is no “I” in team. The same is true for retail theft prevention. Build relationships with your store team members, vendors, community and police departments and the pay-off will show in reduced shortage results.

Retail theft prevention is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint systems, retail theft prevention

Retail Theft Prevention Strategies Should Include Building Relationships Part 1

September 10, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

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Retail Theft Prevention Strategies Should Include Building Relationships Part 1

Retail theft prevention is something I have enjoyed since the day I started working in it. If I were to be asked what my favorite part about doing Loss Prevention work is, I would have a hard time saying one thing. That’s because at different times in my career there were various parts of the job that really made my job rewarding. It was fun to stop shoplifting when I started out my career, watching a theft transpire and the adrenaline kicked in as I readied myself for the concealment and the stop I would be making. As I advanced and became a Loss Prevention Manager I continued to catch shoplifters every so often but I started having to train employees about shortage reduction and the expectations upon them in preventing theft and fraud. These sessions usually took place during new employee orientations. I found that training others was a piece of shortage reduction I found to be rewarding (I also found I could start picking out potential future dishonest employees by their questions and their attention in class). As the L.P. Manager I also had interactions with various vendors, such as the property management officials, closed circuit television technicians and Checkpoint Systems technicians who worked on our electronic article surveillance equipment. As I progressed in my career I took these early lessons in building partnerships to create closer ties that became part of our shortage reduction culture.

I found that as I built strong partnership with vendors I was able to get improved service for the store. One example was an upgrade we did with our CCTV system. The contract was with a new company and the workers came out, completed the upgrades, took time to explain the changes and trained me on what I would need to know. I completed a positive survey of their work for my company. A few years later we underwent another upgrade and because of my survey this company received the contract. The technicians went out of their way to show me how they crimped BNC connectors rather than using twist-ons like I was used to and they left me extras and a crimping tool. My relations with the Checkpoint Systems vendors were great as well. I didn’t place “urgent” requests in unnecessarily. If I had a repair need and the technician called we would talk about the issue. If it was something that could wait until he could get to my store a few days later due to other calls, I would do my best to work with him. It might have been a checklane that had a faulty deactivation unit. If I didn’t have a spare unit I would shut down that register for a few days. If my request was going to have a significant impact on retail theft prevention and shortage such as a pedestal not working then I would get the faster service. I can tell you that this mutual respect paid off when I would request a system check just before the holidays to ensure our system was running at peak performance. I always seemed to be at the top of his list of priorities.

I already had friendships I had built with local law enforcement from my job as a Loss Prevention Officer, but using the skills I was developing with vendor relations I found I was able to create a new level of partnership with my police department. Nothing enhances store security more than having police cars parked at the curb of the store or a couple of police bikes located inside the doors to the building. Police stopped at our store for no other reason than to come and visit with our L.P. team in our office. When the police department wanted to conduct a children’s I.D. session for families, our store allowed them to set up a table up front. When they started a Santa’s Helper’s program the store manager made sure we were the retailer to volunteer to help out by adding extra staff and feeding the kids and officers lunch. Since the officers were spending time at our store, I took the time to attend a citizen’s class they offered (about an 8 week program) to let them know I valued what they offered. Like my partnership with Checkpoint Systems, when I was in need of help from the police, I can attest that I rarely had to wait long on a response.

In Part 2 I will provide some other strategies I learned along the way that made Loss Prevention rewarding AND helped me in creating a strong retail theft prevention program. Loss Prevention programs are important to shortage reduction and partnerships with others enhances those programs.

Get more information on Retail Theft Prevention, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint systems, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

Customer Service A Hallmark Of Checkpoint Systems; A Loss Prevention Manager’s Perspective

August 16, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

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Customer Service A Hallmark Of Checkpoint Systems; A Loss Prevention Manager’s Perspective

When I use a product or find a service I truly like I not only use that service regularly but I willingly promote it too. One example is a restaurant I like to visit with my wife when I can afford to splurge a little on a dinner. EVERY time I have visited this restaurant I have always received outstanding service and food. I have never had to send my food back because it wasn’t prepared properly. I have never had poor service from a hostess, waiter or waitress at this location. Even when the place is hopping I never feel like I’m being rushed to eat and get out so the next family can be seated. Because of this service I don’t mind suggesting the restaurant as a place to go for a casual night out. This is the same way I felt about Checkpoint Systems when I was a Loss Prevention Manager. I always had great service from anyone I met from the company and because of that I experience I like to share my observations about the company and their products.

Checkpoint Systems was the company contracted by the retailer I worked for to provide our merchandise protection strategy. Starting with the electronic article surveillance (EAS) pedestals at the front doors, to the Checkpoint Tags we applied to merchandise, especially in the electronics department, this company impressed me with not just the technology but also the service provided by their technicians. I was part of the store opening for this retailer and was involved with the installation of the security systems, including CCTV and the Checkpoint Security System and being new as a Loss Prevention Manager, had a lot of questions. The Checkpoint technicians were busy with their work but allowed me to tag behind them and explained what they were doing and how the system operated. As you can imagine not all of the vendors were anxious to have a shadow and especially a rookie still learning his job. Hey, I was anxious to do a good job so I didn’t see a problem with my million and one questions. Through the whole process the Checkpoint techs really stick in my mind, even today, some 22 years later.

The guys from Checkpoint Systems took time to explain how the EAS towers worked, how they could pick up the radio frequency waves emitted by Checkpoint Tags and how various things could give false alarms. They warned me about issues with foil gift wrap at Christmas, extension cords and vacuum cleaners and how they could potentially set off the pedestals. At that time I had no clue that there could be interference from products. I had worked with some EAS in my prior job as a Loss Prevention Associate but this had never been explained to me. All of this went into my notes so I could follow up on it later. I should note here that since those days, many improvements have been made in Checkpoint Security System pedestals reducing the chances of merchandise-caused alarms and ghost alarms. They even make towers now that can detect when foil lined booster bags are brought into a store as well as detection devices that can pick up EAS jammers.

After the installation was complete these professionals didn’t just leave. They spent time training me on how to test the deactivation pads at the cash stands and how to complete daily tests of the EAS towers. They left spare deactivation units and pads and showed me how to change them out in case of a failure until a technician could come to the store to repair and replace a faulty unit. The techs also spent time with our front end supervisors and me discussing the proper methods for responding to alarms and logging them on a log sheet. This information was used so we could retrain cashiers when necessary and identify possible equipment problems. They also took time to show my L.P. team and me the best methods for placing Checkpoint Tags on merchandise, I had no idea placement could make such a difference!

As a result of the EAS equipment that was installed, the training of our staff and the follow-up equipment inspections and quick responses to service calls, I saw the impact a Checkpoint Security System could have on shortage results. We made numerous recoveries of unpaid merchandise and the deterrence value to prevent shoplifting was measured by the fact that over my nearly 13 years as the L.P. Manager for this store, we only had 2 years that had over 1% merchandise shrinkage. I can only say, if you are in need of reducing shortage, Checkpoint is the solution you are looking for.

Get more information on Checkpoint Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint security system, checkpoint systems, Checkpoint tags

Checkpoint Security Systems Latest Label Leaves A Lasting Impression For ORC Groups

July 11, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

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Checkpoint Security Systems Latest Label Leaves A Lasting Impression For ORC Groups

I enjoy watching movies like “Mission Impossible” or “The Bourne” series or occasionally a James Bond film will strike my fancy. There are always the latest gadgets or spy toys used to catch the criminals. Maybe it’s a vehicle tracker or a pair of “electronic charged gloves” that allows the hero to climb up the side of a building. Sometimes the gear seems a little far- fetched and at other times you know it is real, you just wonder how often such things are used. I like to imagine using some high tech tracking device to follow bad guys and break up an international crime syndicate. On the other hand, I can tell you about a new device on the market available to retailers to help them curb theft. This one does have potential for helping investigators catch Organized Theft Rings and stop shoplifting. It kind of reminds me of those techy movies, but this involves Checkpoint security systems and new Checkpoint labels.

I know, you’re sitting there thinking this guy has gone a little off the deep end or he is just really exaggerating the value of this new device. Well, I may be a little off the deep end, but in this case I am not overstating the value of this newest weapon in the arsenal of Checkpoint labels. The item I am talking about is the 2928 S micro “SWAT” Tag, a small 1 inch diameter label that works with Checkpoint Systems electronic article surveillance (EAS) towers. With a clear viewing label, it is easy to apply to all types of merchandise but especially small health and beauty products that are a favorite with Organized Retail Crime (ORC) rings. In the past these items could be hard to protect with tags because the tags were too large or covered vital ingredient information or warning labels. The clear viewing label allows that information to be read by the customer and still provide the necessary protection to stop shoplifting of the merchandise. The thing that stands out most about this Checkpoint label is that it has “leave behind protection” and it is this feature that makes it so dangerous to ORC gangs.

Boosters come to the store to steal multiple items at a time and may be willing to risk a theft and setting off an alarm pedestal of a Checkpoint security system if they think something may have a tag. They are only concerned about whether they can remove the tag after they make their escape. While difficult to remove from a package, some thieves are willing to expend theenergy to take off traditional EAS tags in order to resell the goods. Removing labels and markings makes it difficult for store managers to say what merchandise came from their store when a warehouse or illegitimate sales operation is raided for suspected ORC activity. In this way, a business dealing in stolen goods may be selling the merchandise knowing it was stolen and there is nothing to prove where it came from. Even if a Checkpoint 2928 S micro SWAT Tag is removed from a product it leaves behind an indelible marking that can prove where the merchandise came from. Talk about spy gadgetry!

What kind of marking can identify where a product came from? The SWAT tag has a symbol in the middle of the tag that comes in a standard block lock figure, a custom QR code or a custom design you select, such as your store logo, store number or company name. When the bad guys take the tag off to clean the product what they won’t realize is that they are leaving behind the indelible marking. The symbol remains behind and is evidence that the merchandise came from somewhere else. Using your store logo as the symbol or a QR code can specify to investigators that the items were from your location. These Checkpoint labels are definitely an effective way to stop shoplifting and identify ORC activity, and potentially get your merchandise back from these criminal groups.

Let Checkpoint security systems help you improve your in-stocks, reduce shortage and ultimately improve profits. Deter organized criminal activity in your store and your neighborhood with the Checkpoint 2928 S micro SWAT tag.

Checkpoint labels are important and we can help you with them. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

Boosters come to the store to steal multiple items at a time and may be willing to risk a theft and setting off an alarm pedestal of a Checkpoint security system if they think something may have a tag. They are only concerned about whether they can remove the tag after they make their escape. While difficult to remove from a package, some thieves are willing to expend the energy to take off traditional EAS tags in order to resell the goods. Removing labels and markings makes it difficult for store managers to say what merchandise came from their store when a warehouse or illegitimate sales operation is raided for suspected ORC activity. In this way, a business dealing in stolen goods may be selling the merchandise knowing it was stolen and there is nothing to prove where it came from. Even if a Checkpoint 2928 S micro SWAT Tag is removed from a product it leaves behind an indelible marking that can prove where the merchandise came from. Talk about spy gadgetry!

Checkpoint labels are important and we can help you with them. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Checkpoint labels, checkpoint security system, checkpoint systems, stop shoplifting

USING STORE DESIGN AS AN EFFECTIVE RETAIL THEFT PREVENTION METHOD

June 15, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

USING STORE DESIGN AS AN EFFECTIVE RETAIL THEFT PREVENTION METHOD

There are literaly tons of ways that you can attack shoplifting in your store. From EAS devices, to security cameras to employing LP agents; if you have the budget. What if you’re planning on opening your very first store? What if you don’t have the initial capital for all those fancy gadgets? What if you need to stop shoplifting by relying on the lowest tech methods available to you? Retail theft prevention starts with proper store design.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Tell me who is the Greatest Shoplifter of Them all.

I’m sure you’ve been into a Walgreens store once or twice. Ever notice that they have mirrors that literally wrap around the entire store? I love it. I wish my company would do this. It makes catching a thief so doggone easy. I can stand 4 aisles away pretending to browse shampoo and watch a booster stuff razors without him ever knowing I’m watching. Perhaps you don’t want to mirror your entire store, but a few well-placed mirrors in those blind corners can have a major impact on theft.

Get Low

Yes, you want to maximize the space you have to display as much merchandise as possible in the limited amount of space you have. To really keep an eye on your products, keep your aisles and shelves low, no more than 5-6 feet high. This allows for plenty of retail space while allowing you to see from one end of your store to the other. Don’t let a thief use your own aisle against you.

Stop Shoplifting by Eliminating Dark Corners

Ever find yourself in a dimly lit corner of your store? Often, lighting is overlooking as a retail theft prevention method. Thieves like to operate without being seen or acknowledged. If you’ve got some terrible lighting in one spot of your store, you can bet that thieves will take full advantage of this area. Make sure that your lighting is consistent across your store.

Seriously, Lock the Fitting Room

I’m not kidding. I have apparel managers that moan and complain about their shortages, but refuse to lock their fitting rooms. If you want to stop shoplifting, and you have a fitting/dressing room, you have to LOCK IT. An open and unattended dressing room is the equivalent to find the holy grail if you’re a shoplifter. If you’re going to install a dressing room (which is essential if you sell clothes) make sure to install those locks.

Open Sell Concept is Great for Sales and Greater for Thieves

Retail theft prevention practices evolve every month it seems. Retail trends are also ever evolving and as a retailer, you have to keep up if you plan on staying in business. Customers want access to products that they are shopping for. They want to touch it, test it and feel it before they buy it. That poses a problem if that item is a few hundred bucks. Thankfully, there are copious amounts of security fixtures that allow you to display a host of different items all while keeping them secure. From cables and locks to wireless RFID style display areas, there’s bound to be a solution out there for you.

When thinking of ways to stop shoplifting in your store, don’t forget to consider the actual design of your store. With just a few simple tweaks and a bit of good planning, you can drastically reduce the appeal your store has to shoplifters. So the next time you find yourself complaining about shortages, take a look at your store and see if it’s enabling your criminals.

For more information about Retail Theft Prevention, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.

There are literally tons of ways that you can attack shoplifting in your store. From EAS devices, to security cameras to employing LP agents; if you have the budget. What if you’re planning on opening your very first store? What if you don’t have the initial capital for all those fancy gadgets? What if you need to stop shoplifting by relying on the lowest tech methods available to you? Retail theft prevention starts with proper store design.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Tell me who is the Greatest Shoplifter of Them all

Get Low

Stop Shoplifting by Eliminating Dark Corners

Seriously, Lock the Fitting Room

Open Sell Concept is Great for Sales and Greater for Thieves

Retail theft prevention practices evolve every month it seems. Retail trends are also ever evolving and as a retailer, you have to keep up if you plan on staying in business. Customers want access to products that they are shopping for. They want to touch it, test it and feel it before they buy it. That poses a problem if that item is a few hundred bucks. Thankfully, there are copious amounts of security fixtures that allow you to display a host of different items all while keeping them secure. From cables locks, to labels, there’s bound to be a solution out there for you.

For more information about Retail Theft Prevention, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

Clearing Up Misperceptions about Retail Theft Prevention Professionals

May 18, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

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Clearing Up Misperceptions about Retail Theft Prevention Professionals

Sometimes there is a misperception of Loss Prevention Associates as being insensitive or eager to put people in jail. I have heard us referred to as “wanna-be-cops”. In this article I want to address some of those misperceptions. Many retail theft prevention professionals have law enforcement backgrounds. I personally had 4 years of experience as a United States Air Force Law Enforcement Specialist. During my career in Loss Prevention I worked with two retired State Troopers, at least two prior military police that I am aware of and I hired two men and a woman with law enforcement experience while I was a Loss Prevention Manager. So, the suggestion that we are or were “wanna-be’s” can be put to rest, I would call many of us, “been there-done that’s”. Working to stop shoplifting and using retail theft prevention tools like a Checkpoint Security System is a different experience for us. While we can use some of our skill sets in the job, like interviewing suspects or safely apprehending thieves, we also get to train employees on shortage prevention and making a business profitable.

Law Enforcement and Retail Loss Prevention have their own sets of tools to get their respective jobs accomplished. Law Enforcement has dispatchers, jailers, patrol cars, weapons, investigation divisions, traffic divisions, etc. In Loss Prevention we work with digital camera systems, store exception reports, sales reports, and Checkpoint Systems and all of those components that make them up. Checkpoint tags, alarm pedestals and deactivation pads are used to deter theft from taking place and identifying theft when someone does attempt to steal merchandise. We make sure tags are properly placed on items so the bad guys see them and choose NOT to try to bother with the items in the first place. Proper placement also ensures they will be difficult to defeat or tamper with, again deterring theft from happening. We test the Checkpoint equipment to be sure that tags are properly deactivating and alarm pedestals are receiving tag signals as designed. Hardware issues are reported to Checkpoint Systems so a remote check can be made or a technician can be dispatched depending on the problem. IF we are doing our jobs well, we are deterring theft first and when necessary we catch crooks and stop shoplifting second.

I mentioned there is a train of thought that we are “insensitive” and we are just out to put people in jail who are stealing because they “needed” something or “couldn’t help it”. No, we are not insensitive. In the course of my career I had to call many mothers and fathers to pick up their youngster for shoplifting. I could have turned them over to the police to be handled in the juvenile courts but I also was aware of the problems a juvenile record could cause for a youth. Try placing the call to the single mother who is at work, trying to make ends meet and you have to ask her to leave work and come to the store to pick up her child who was supposed to be home right after school. I can’t recall the number of times I had a parent I caught shoplifting while they had their child with them. I would try to get them to call for someone to pick up the child before the police came so the child wouldn’t have to see the parent handcuffed or the child taken into protective care by the police. Insensitive were the parents who wouldn’t make that call or allow me to do it for them. It is quite an experience to respond to Checkpoint systems alarms and a mom has a baby stroller loaded with an infant and hidden merchandise with Checkpoint tags on them, all tucked under a blanket inside.

I also don’t recall many shoplifters I caught who needed the jewelry they had stolen and placed in a pocket. I recall the mother and son tearing Checkpoint tags from clothing and filling shopping bags so they could resell the merchandise. I don’t think they really needed them. I can’t forget the intoxicated golfer who stole underwear and when I got him to the office he had $300.00 cash in his pocket. No, the idea that most shoplifters steal because they “need” the stuff is false.

Hopefully this article has helped shed some light on the true professionalism of Loss Prevention associates. Our goal is retail theft prevention and helping stores to be profitable through the use of Checkpoint systems, deterrence, the apprehension of shoplifters and ongoing store employee training.

Retail Theft Prevention is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint security system, checkpoint systems, Checkpoint tags, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting