Is shoplifting becoming more violent in the US? How can retailers counter the potential violence in their stores?

July 20, 2023 by

Shoplifting incidents can vary in nature and severity, and trends can differ across regions and time periods. While some instances of shoplifting may involve violence, it is important to approach the topic with caution and not generalize based on isolated incidents. Shoplifting-related violence is not necessarily a widespread phenomenon, but retailers should still take precautions to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. Here are some potential strategies retailers can consider:

Employee training: Retailers can provide comprehensive training to their employees on how to handle potentially difficult situations, including shoplifting incidents. This training can include de-escalation techniques, conflict resolution skills, and when to involve security or law enforcement. Loss Prevention Systems provides this LIVE training in person or on-line.

Visible store presence: Maintaining a visible presence of staff and security personnel in the store can act as a deterrent to potential shoplifters. When individuals perceive a higher risk of being caught, they may be less likely to engage in shoplifting or violence.

Effective store layout and surveillance: Retailers can design their stores with clear sightlines and unobstructed views to minimize blind spots. Installing surveillance cameras strategically can help deter theft and provide evidence if incidents occur. However, keep in mind that CCTV is more “after the fact”. There is some deterrence value however, there are better methods for prevention.

Collaboration with law enforcement: Establishing strong relationships with local law enforcement agencies can be beneficial. Retailers can work together with the police to share information, report incidents promptly, and coordinate efforts to prevent and address shoplifting incidents. You should set up an in person meeting with a member of your local law enforcement agency. Have them give you input about your stores vulnerabilities, how they respond and what other measures they can provide such as more frequent marked patrol car drive byes, walking patrol…. You should make it clear that they are always welcome in your store and encourage them to stop by. A cup of coffee, bottle of water…. sends the right message. Most law enforcement agencies have “Zone” type meetings, crime prevention meetings… You should join and go every time. This will keep you up to date on crime in your specific area.

Technology-based solutions: Retailers can explore the use of advanced security technologies, such as electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems such as a Sensormatic system, RFID tagging, video analytics, and inventory management systems. These technologies can help detect theft attempts, track inventory, and improve overall store security. Again, Loss Prevention Systems has all of these technologies and we sell, install and service nationwide.

Safety protocols and emergency planning: Retailers should develop and communicate clear safety protocols to their employees in case of emergencies or violent situations. This may involve creating evacuation plans, implementing panic buttons on your burglar alarm system. These panic buttons should be installed in places that employees can retreat to in the event of an emergency. Having them at the POS is fine but, the back office, stock rooms are better. Train your staff on how to respond appropriately in different scenarios.

It’s important for retailers to conduct a thorough risk assessment based on their specific store locations, customer demographics, and historical incidents to determine the most appropriate security measures to implement. Consulting with a Loss Prevention Expert or industry associations can provide valuable insights tailored to the retail environment.

For more information Contact Us. You can also visit our website.

Filed Under: antishoplifting, clothing alarm, Clothing security tags, Inventory Shrinkage, Loss Prevention Agent, Loss Prevention Consultant, Preventing Theft, Security, Seminar, Sensormatic Systems, Shoplifting Prevention, Training

Shoplifting & Return Fraud

June 7, 2023 by

Shoplifting and return fraud are two types of theft that can significantly impact retailers’ bottom line. Shoplifting is the act of stealing merchandise from a store, while return fraud is when a customer returns an item they did not purchase or returns an item that has been used or damaged. Both of these types of theft can result in lost revenue and can be challenging for retailers to prevent. However, there are several strategies that retailers can use to minimize their losses.

One way retailers can prevent shoplifting is by implementing security measures in their stores. This can include using security cameras, hiring security guards, and installing electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems such as a Sensormatic System that detect when merchandise is leaving the store without being paid for. These measures can act as a deterrent to potential thieves and can also help identify shoplifters when theft does occur.

Another way retailers can prevent shoplifting is by training their employees to be vigilant and to recognize signs of shoplifting. This can include looking for customers who are carrying large bags or who are dressed in bulky clothing that may be used to conceal stolen merchandise. Retailers can also train their employees to approach customers who are acting suspiciously and to offer assistance, which can deter potential shoplifters.

Return fraud can be more difficult to prevent than shoplifting, but there are still several strategies that retailers can use to minimize their losses. One approach is to implement strict return policies that require customers to provide proof of purchase and that limit the time frame in which items can be returned. Retailers can also use technology to track returns and identify patterns of fraud, such as customers who frequently return items without a receipt.

Another way retailers can prevent return fraud is by inspecting returned items to ensure that they are in the same condition as when they were sold. This can include checking for signs of wear and tear or damage, and verifying that all parts and accessories are included. Retailers can also use third-party verification services that specialize in detecting return fraud.

Remember, shoplifting and return fraud can be significant challenges for you as a retailer however, there are several strategies that can be used to prevent them. These include implementing security measures, training employees to recognize signs of theft, and using technology to track returns and detect patterns of fraud. By taking a proactive approach to theft prevention, retailers can minimize their losses and protect their bottom line.

If you would like more information please Contact Us or go to our web site at Loss Prevention Systems

Filed Under: antishoplifting, Background checks, Background Screening, clothing alarm, Clothing security tags, Employee Theft, Internal Theft, Inventory Shrinkage, Preventing Theft, Security, Seminar, Shoplifting Prevention, Training

What Are The Four Types Of Shoplifters & How Do I Deal With Them?

May 1, 2023 by

Shoplifting is a significant problem for retailers and businesses of all sizes. According to the National Retail Federation, shoplifting costs retailers billions of dollars annually. To address this problem effectively, it is essential to understand the different types of shoplifters and their motivations. Shoplifters can be broken down into four categories: Organized Retail Crime (ORC) groups, professional shoplifters, amateur shoplifters, and impulse shoplifters. In this article, we will discuss each of these categories and the methods that can be used to stop them.

Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Groups
Organized Retail Crime (ORC) groups are highly organized and operate like businesses. These groups often consist of several individuals who work together to steal merchandise from retailers. ORC groups typically steal high-value items that can be easily resold, such as electronics, designer clothing, and jewelry. These groups may also engage in other illegal activities, such as credit card fraud and identity theft.

To stop ORC groups, retailers must be proactive and work closely with law enforcement. Retailers can implement several security measures to deter ORC groups, such as installing high-quality video surveillance systems, using Sensormatic electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags on high-value items, and training employees to recognize and report suspicious behavior.

Professional Shoplifters
Professional shoplifters are individuals who steal merchandise for profit. These individuals are highly skilled and often work alone or in small groups. Professional shoplifters typically target high-value items that can be easily resold, such as designer clothing, jewelry, and electronics.

To stop professional shoplifters, retailers must implement strict security measures, such as installing video surveillance systems, using Sensormatic EAS tags, and training employees to recognize and report suspicious behavior. Larger Retailers should also consider hiring plainclothes security personnel to monitor the sales floor and deter theft.

Amateur Shoplifters
Amateur shoplifters are individuals who steal merchandise on a whim or for personal use. These individuals may not have a plan or a specific item in mind when they enter a store. Amateur shoplifters typically steal low-value items, such as cosmetics, snacks, and clothing.

To stop amateur shoplifters, retailers can implement several security measures, such as installing video surveillance systems, using Sensormatic EAS tags, and training employees to recognize and report suspicious behavior. Retailers can also use signage and displays to remind customers that shoplifting is illegal and will not be tolerated.

Impulse Shoplifters
Impulse shoplifters are individuals who steal merchandise on a whim or as a result of a sudden impulse. These individuals may not have a specific item in mind when they enter a store and may steal low-value items, such as candy or small toys.

To stop impulse shoplifters, retailers can implement several security measures, such as placing high-value items in locked display cases, using Sensormatic EAS tags and labels on high-value items, and training employees to recognize and report suspicious behavior.

Sensormatic EAS systems are highly effective in stopping professional, amateur and especially impulse shoplifters. Studies show that impulse shoplifters make the majority of shoplifters.

Retailers can also use signage and displays to remind shoplifters that shoplifting is illegal and will not be tolerated. However, keep in mind that it is difficult enough to get our legitimate customers to read our signs. It stands to reason that shoplifters will be the same. In all but impulse shoplifters, their intent, before they entered your store is to steal. A sign is not likly to deter them.

Also, keep in mind that shoplifters know that you are not likly to be watching CCTV cameras. CCTV is generally used for after the fact review. By that time they have stolen from you are are long gone. Even though you may feel that CCTV is a deterrent, shoplifters do not.

Because shoplifting is a significant problem for retailers, and it is essential to understand the different types of shoplifters and their motivations. By implementing strict security measures and having a friendly relationship with law enforcement, retailers can deter shoplifting and protect their businesses from financial losses.

For more information or to STOP SHOPLIFTERS NOW, contact us.

Visit our YouTube channel.

Visit the Loss Prevention Systems, Inc website.

Filed Under: antishoplifting, clothing alarm, Clothing security tags, Inventory Shrinkage, Loss Prevention Agent, Loss Prevention Consultant, Loss Prevention Investigator, Security, Shoplifting Prevention, Training

Alpha Bottle Locks Reduce Theft And Increase Profit

December 14, 2016 by Leave a Comment

 

AA Blog 01
Bottle Lock(s):  5
Bottle Security:  4
Alpha Bottle Locks Reduce Theft And Increase Profit
So yesterday on my way home from work, I stopped by one of the local liquor stores, to pick up some Huckleberry Vodka for our weekend trip.  Before you start judging me, I don’t drink very often and although technically the item was for my husband, I do occasionally partake in a good Moscow Mule.  I am not sure if you have had one before, but they are pretty delicious.  Anyway, we are going to my Aunt’s wedding on Saturday and thought I would pick some up just in case.  While in the store, another patron came in and I overheard her ask where the Fireball had moved to.  Apparently, that shopper was a more frequent customer, by the sounds of it.  The store clerk said that she had to move the Fireball to a shelf near the counter, because having it displayed by the door was resulting in it, “walking away”.  Now being in law enforcement for over 15 years and in loss prevention for over 3 years, I am very familiar with what she meant by “walking away”.  I have responded to my fair share of alcohol thefts from the local grocery stores, resulting from stacking product in close proximity to the doors.  As most people in law enforcement or loss prevention know, this results in a quick get-a-way, and lengthy investigation.  These types of investigations rely on a low quality camera system to identify the subject.  Often times a suspect cannot be identified in this process.  If you are a retail store owner you want nothing more than to increase your bottle security, but is there a better way?  I am here to tell you there is.  Bottle locks are devices that are designed specifically for protecting bottles of any kind from “walking away”.  
These bottle security devices are some of the best on the market, not only do they prevent someone from removing the cap without the bottle shattering, they can also be equipped with RF technology to prevent thieves from exiting the store with the bottle.  I am not sure if you have had the opportunity to see these devices in person, but I have, and I tell you they are a huge deterrent. In the military we had liquor stores that sold liquor, beer and wine, and the majority of them had this type of bottle security to prevent shoplifting.  The best thing about Bottle locks is they can be used over and over again.  The store clerk simply removes the device with a specially designed key at the time of sale, and those Locks are then placed on other merchandise.  They come in various sizes and shapes to meet any retailer’s product and stocking needs.         
You have to ask yourself, why would your average thief want to try and steal an item with bottle security, when they can go somewhere that doesn’t have them and get what they want much easier?  Although these devices can be used in liquor stores they can also be used in convenience stores and grocery stores that sell wine or liquor.  They can also be used in taverns, nightclubs and restaurants to prevent employee theft of stored inventory. 
I would say most liquor stores I have been to, are small locally run businesses.  They have limited staff on hand and profit margins tend to be a lot smaller then some of the major retail chains.  So as I was standing there pondering which brand of Vodka to buy, I couldn’t help but think about how unprotected that small business was to theft.  There was only one employee working at the time, which is probably pretty common on a Tuesday afternoon, yet there were three customers wandering around the isles unattended and unsupervised.  I imagine some small businesses see these and other types of security devices as an added expense, but even though upfront costs may be greater, preventing shoplifting will only increase profit margins long term.  It also ensures lower prices for your customers, which is always a means for bolstering sales and increasing profit.  Bottle Locks lead the industry for bottle protection and can provide the small business owner with added protection and peace of mind.   
For more information about Bottle Locks, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547. 

So yesterday on my way home from work, I stopped by one of the local liquor stores, to pick up some Huckleberry Vodka for our weekend trip. Before you start judging me, I don’t drink very often and although technically the item was for my husband, I do occasionally partake in a good Moscow Mule. I am not sure if you have had one before, but they are pretty delicious. Anyway, we are going to my Aunt’s wedding on Saturday and thought I would pick some up just in case. While in the store, another patron came in and I overheard her ask where the Fireball had moved to. Apparently, that shopper was a more frequent customer, by the sounds of it. The store clerk said that she had to move the Fireball to a shelf near the counter, because having it displayed by the door was resulting in it, “walking away”. Now being in law enforcement for over 15 years and in loss prevention for over 3 years, I am very familiar with what she meant by “walking away”. I have responded to my fair share of alcohol thefts from the local grocery stores, resulting from stacking product in close proximity to the doors. As most people in law enforcement or loss prevention know, this results in a quick get-a-way, and lengthy investigation. These types of investigations rely on a low quality camera system to identify the subject. Often times a suspect cannot be identified in this process. If you are a retail store owner you want nothing more than to increase your bottle security, but is there a better way? I am here to tell you there is. Bottle locks are devices that are designed specifically for protecting bottles of any kind from “walking away”.  

 

These bottle security devices are some of the best on the market, not only do they prevent someone from removing the cap without the bottle shattering, they can also be equipped with RF technology to prevent thieves from exiting the store with the bottle. I am not sure if you have had the opportunity to see these devices in person, but I have, and I tell you they are a huge deterrent. In the military we had liquor stores that sold liquor, beer and wine, and the majority of them had this type of bottle security to prevent shoplifting. The best thing about Bottle locks is they can be used over and over again. The store clerk simply removes the device with a specially designed key at the time of sale, and those Locks are then placed on other merchandise. They come in various sizes and shapes to meet any retailer’s product and stocking needs.         

 

You have to ask yourself, why would your average thief want to try and steal an item with bottle security, when they can go somewhere that doesn’t have them and get what they want much easier? Although these devices can be used in liquor stores they can also be used in convenience stores and grocery stores that sell wine or liquor. They can also be used in taverns, nightclubs and restaurants to prevent employee theft of stored inventory. 

 

I would say most liquor stores I have been to, are small locally run businesses. They have limited staff on hand and profit margins tend to be a lot smaller then some of the major retail chains. So as I was standing there pondering which brand of Vodka to buy, I couldn’t help but think about how unprotected that small business was to theft. There was only one employee working at the time, which is probably pretty common on a Tuesday afternoon, yet there were three customers wandering around the isles unattended and unsupervised. I imagine some small businesses see these and other types of security devices as an added expense, but even though upfront costs may be greater, preventing shoplifting will only increase profit margins long term. It also ensures lower prices for your customers, which is always a means for bolstering sales and increasing profit. Bottle Locks lead the industry for bottle protection and can provide the small business owner with added protection and peace of mind.   

 

For more information about Bottle Locks, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547. 

 

 

Filed Under: Security Tagged With: , ,

Bars And Grocery Store Businesses Aren’t The Only Establishments That Can Benefit From Using Bottle Locks: Part 2

November 16, 2016 by Leave a Comment

 

Bottle Locks-4                                                                                                                        WC Blog 187
Bottle Lock-3
Liquor Bottle Security-5
Bars And Grocery Store Businesses Aren’t The Only Establishments That Can Benefit From Using Bottle Locks: Part 2
     In part 1 of this two part series I mentioned that I was surprised when I looked at a government website that listed a lengthy list of venues and businesses that sell alcoholic beverages, some beer only and others any number of spirits and/or wines.  I discussed the businesses that one would expect to see selling wines and spirits, mainly, bars, clubs, grocery stores and package stores or state stores.  I also reviewed how bottle locks, if used in these establishments could improve in-stocks, sales and profitability.  As promised, in part 2,  I am going to cover the not-so-obvious locations that may sell alcohol and could also benefit from the use of liquor bottle security.
     As a reminder I just want to clarify for some who may have missed part 1 or are new to liquor bottle security, just what it is I am talking about.  Liquor bottle security may sound like something a parent of teenagers is concerned with, like how to lock the liquor cabinet and keep the kids out.  Well, in a manner of speaking, that is sort of what we are discussing.  Bottle locks are a type of bottle security, but better than the family cabinet.  A bottle lock is a locking cap that fits over a manufacturer’s lid or top.  The lock is placed over the top and locks together preventing someone from being able to get to a bottle lid in order to open it.  They are able to activate electronic article surveillance (EAS) antenna alarms if carried near or through the antennas.  Some locks will even alarm if tampered with should someone attempt to break it off.  Most thieves don’t want the hassle associated with trying to steal a protected product and if they are lucky enough to get it out of a business they don’t want to have to fight to get at the merchandise.  
     So, without further delay, here is a list from the governments’ Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau website listing businesses I had not thought of as being sellers of alcohol products:
• Airlines                                                                            
• Airport lounges
• Amusement Parks
• Bed and Breakfast Inns
• Bingo Halls
• Boats (Pleasure)
• Bowling Alleys
• Casinos
• Catering Services
• Concession Stands
• Drug Stores
• Florist Services
• Fraternal Organizations
• Fundraising Organizations
• Gift Basket Dealers
• Golf Courses
• Grills
• Hospitals
• Hotels
• Inns
• Leagues
• Limousine Services
• Lodges
• Lunch Wagons
• Military Installations
• Pool Halls
• Race Tracks
• Recreation Centers
• Snack Bars
• Stadiums
• Trains
• Wine and Cheese (sellers)
What a list!  If any of these places sells wines or spirits, they can use bottle locks to minimize the risk of loss due to customer OR employee theft.  
     You may be thinking to yourself, “I own a limousine service and I include a bottle of wine as a part of one of my packages.  So if a client purchases a bottle of wine from me, how does a bottle lock benefit me?”  The bottle lock in this case may not be to keep your client out of your supply, but rather, it may keep out potential dishonest employees. How many of your employees may have access to your wine cooler or cellar?  By using locks in this situation you might not need to be as concerned about whether you left your cellar unlocked when you left for the day.  Think about  a stadium where you might have employees under the age of 21 at a counter that serves alcohol.  Wouldn’t you feel better knowing that any alcohol bottles are secured with liquor bottle security such as Alpha bottle locks preventing under age workers from gaining access that could lead to trouble for you?
     Liquor bottle security clearly prevents theft and may even prevent or limit business liability.  Both of these can affect the bottom line for a company.  Why not take a closer look and see if Alpha Security may be able to help you reduce risk and improve profits.
Need information on Bottle Locks?  Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.

In part 1 of this two part series I mentioned that I was surprised when I looked at a government website that listed a lengthy list of venues and businesses that sell alcoholic beverages, some beer only and others any number of spirits and/or wines. I discussed the businesses that one would expect to see selling wines and spirits, mainly, bars, clubs, grocery stores and package stores or state stores. I also reviewed how bottle locks, if used in these establishments could improve in-stocks, sales and profitability. As promised, in part 2,  I am going to cover the not-so-obvious locations that may sell alcohol and could also benefit from the use of liquor bottle security.

As a reminder I just want to clarify for some who may have missed part 1 or are new to liquor bottle security, just what it is I am talking about. Liquor bottle security may sound like something a parent of teenagers is concerned with, like how to lock the liquor cabinet and keep the kids out. Well, in a manner of speaking, that is sort of what we are discussing. Bottle locks are a type of bottle security, but better than the family cabinet. A bottle lock is a locking cap that fits over a manufacturer’s lid or top. The lock is placed over the top and locks together preventing someone from being able to get to a bottle lid in order to open it. They are able to activate electronic article surveillance (EAS) antenna alarms if carried near or through the antennas. Some locks will even alarm if tampered with should someone attempt to break it off. Most thieves don’t want the hassle associated with trying to steal a protected product and if they are lucky enough to get it out of a business they don’t want to have to fight to get at the merchandise.  

So, without further delay, here is a list from the governments’ Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau website listing businesses I had not thought of as being sellers of alcohol products:

• Airlines                                                                            

• Airport lounges

• Amusement Parks

• Bed and Breakfast Inns

• Bingo Halls

• Boats (Pleasure)

• Bowling Alleys

• Casinos

• Catering Services

• Concession Stands

• Drug Stores

• Florist Services

• Fraternal Organizations

• Fundraising Organizations

• Gift Basket Dealers

• Golf Courses

• Grills

• Hospitals

• Hotels

• Inns

• Leagues

• Limousine Services

• Lodges

• Lunch Wagons

• Military Installations

• Pool Halls

• Race Tracks

• Recreation Centers

• Snack Bars

• Stadiums

• Trains

• Wine and Cheese (sellers)

What a list!  If any of these places sell wines or spirits, they can use bottle locks to minimize the risk of loss due to customer OR employee theft.  

You may be thinking to yourself, “I own a limousine service and I include a bottle of wine as a part of one of my packages. So if a client purchases a bottle of wine from me, how does a bottle lock benefit me?” The bottle lock in this case may not be to keep your client out of your supply, but rather, it may keep out potential dishonest employees. How many of your employees may have access to your wine cooler or cellar? By using locks in this situation you might not need to be as concerned about whether you left your cellar unlocked when you left for the day. Think about  a stadium where you might have employees under the age of 21 at a counter that serves alcohol. Wouldn’t you feel better knowing that any alcohol bottles are secured with liquor bottle security such as Alpha bottle locks preventing under age workers from gaining access that could lead to trouble for you?

Liquor bottle security clearly prevents theft and may even prevent or limit business liability.  Both of these can affect the bottom line for a company. Why not take a closer look and see if Alpha Security may be able to help you reduce risk and improve profits.

 

Need information on Bottle Locks? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.

 

 

Filed Under: Security Tagged With: , , , ,

Liquor Bottle Security; Ideas For All Budget Sizes: Part 2

October 25, 2016 by Leave a Comment

 

Liquor Bottle Security-4                                                                                                              wc blog 181
Bottle Locks-5
Liquor Bottle Security; Ideas For All Budget Sizes: Part 2
     In this series I am discussing the liquor bottle security needs of grocery store owners and alcohol beverage store owners.  Due to my television bombarding me with car and truck advertisements I thought it was interesting to note the different ploys used to try to entice me to buy their products.  On the high end there are the luxury cars with the guy in the tuxedo looking rather James Bondish driving through the city at night to go to some posh nightclub.  All eyes turn to watch as the car glides through the streets commanding the attention of even the drivers of other cars.  On the other end of the spectrum, I am wooed by the company that can get me into a car under $200 a month, 100,000 mile warranties and buy here pay here promises.  Not everyone can afford that sports car but nearly everyone can get into the affordable car.  But neither one may fit the needs of the driver who needs a truck to haul work- loads around on a farm.  Different needs for different purposes and budgets.  Store owners can face the same considerations and needs.  In part 1 of the series I reviewed how the owner on a tight economy budget can still get protection with bottle locks and some strategic planning.  In Part 2, I am going to cover the mid-sized budget and the liquor bottle security enhancements that can be more effective.
     Before going on, if you did not read part 1 of the series or are new to retail anti-theft devices, I want to review what bottle locks are and how they work.  Simply stated, bottle locks are devices that are placed on a bottle to prevent someone from being able to open a bottle and drink the contents.  They can activate Electronic Article Surveillance antennas if a shoplifter tries to steal a bottle that is protected.  The locks are removed only with a removal key held at a register or carried by store personnel.  Bottle locks also come in different designs, some are collars that are designed to activate EAS antennas, but don’t prevent the opening of the cap.  Other locks provide full cap coverage and extend down part of the bottle neck. 
     So what would I call a mid-priced system or the pick-up truck of liquor bottle security for a retail store?  Having a background of nearly 20 years of retail loss prevention experience and over 25 years of total retail experience I can provide some solid steps to make a strong impact on shortage reduction without breaking the bank.  First, invest in electronic article surveillance antennas that will cover each entrance, including vendor doors and employee entrances to your facility.  Theft doesn’t occur with shoplifters only, employees can and do steal as well.  Next, decide on how much of your inventory you want to protect.  By the way, Alpha security can give you guidance on where to purchase antennas for the store.  In a perfect world, I would recommend a lock on each and every wine or liquor bottle, but that might not be in your budget.  If not, set a price point for bottle locks and another for bottle collars.  I suggested a $30 price point for budget constrained stores, but in this case, perhaps a $20 price point could be the mark for locking bottles.  
     For this category of stores, also consider staffing two employees at all times.  The store owner and another employee would be perfect.  One person operates the cash register and the other person provides customer service while doing other duties such as stocking shelves, straightening and ensuring locks are on all the bottles within the price range determined earlier.  A full blown camera system may not be affordable, but often two or three cameras are within a budget, hooked up through a store computer.  Place one camera at the entrance to the store ensuring great face shots.  Place another at the register so the register, employee and customer are in view and finally, one at an employee or vendor door.   Keep fixtures no higher than shoulder height and where possible, place mirrors in corners to see hidden areas.
   
     Following these suggestions, your liquor bottle security will be effective and do the job you need to keep shrinkage low.  The payoff will be seen in the performance of your bottom line.
Get more information on liquor bottle security, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
     

In this series I am discussing the liquor bottle security needs of grocery store owners and alcohol beverage store owners. Due to my television bombarding me with car and truck advertisements I thought it was interesting to note the different ploys used to try to entice me to buy their products. On the high end there are the luxury cars with the guy in the tuxedo looking rather James Bondish driving through the city at night to go to some posh nightclub. All eyes turn to watch as the car glides through the streets commanding the attention of even the drivers of other cars. On the other end of the spectrum, I am wooed by the company that can get me into a car under $200 a month, 100,000 mile warranties and buy here pay here promises. Not everyone can afford that sports car but nearly everyone can get into the affordable car. But neither one may fit the needs of the driver who needs a truck to haul work- loads around on a farm. Different needs for different purposes and budgets. Store owners can face the same considerations and needs. In part 1 of the series I reviewed how the owner on a tight economy budget can still get protection with bottle locks and some strategic planning. In Part 2, I am going to cover the mid-sized budget and the liquor bottle security enhancements that can be more effective.

Before going on, if you did not read part 1 of the series or are new to retail anti-theft devices, I want to review what bottle locks are and how they work. Simply stated, bottle locks are devices that are placed on a bottle to prevent someone from being able to open a bottle and drink the contents. They can activate Electronic Article Surveillance antennas if a shoplifter tries to steal a bottle that is protected. The locks are removed only with a removal key held at a register or carried by store personnel. Bottle locks also come in different designs, some are collars that are designed to activate EAS antennas, but don’t prevent the opening of the cap. Other locks provide full cap coverage and extend down part of the bottle neck. 

So what would I call a mid-priced system or the pick-up truck of liquor bottle security for a retail store? Having a background of nearly 20 years of retail loss prevention experience and over 25 years of total retail experience I can provide some solid steps to make a strong impact on shortage reduction without breaking the bank. First, invest in electronic article surveillance antennas that will cover each entrance, including vendor doors and employee entrances to your facility. Theft doesn’t occur with shoplifters only, employees can and do steal as well. Next, decide on how much of your inventory you want to protect. In a perfect world, I would recommend a lock on each and every wine or liquor bottle, but that might not be in your budget. If not, set a price point for bottle locks and another for bottle collars. I suggested a $30 price point for budget constrained stores, but in this case, perhaps a $20 price point could be the mark for locking bottles.  

For this category of stores, also consider staffing two employees at all times. The store owner and another employee would be perfect. One person operates the cash register and the other person provides customer service while doing other duties such as stocking shelves, straightening and ensuring locks are on all the bottles within the price range determined earlier. A full blown camera system may not be affordable, but often two or three cameras are within a budget, hooked up through a store computer. Place one camera at the entrance to the store ensuring great face shots. Place another at the register so the register, employee and customer are in view and finally, one at an employee or vendor door. Keep fixtures no higher than shoulder height and where possible, place mirrors in corners to see hidden areas.        

 

Following these suggestions, your liquor bottle security will be effective and do the job you need to keep shrinkage low. The payoff will be seen in the performance of your bottom line.

 

Get more information on liquor bottle security, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
     

 

 

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Liquor Bottle Security; Ideas For All Budget Sizes: Part 1

September 21, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Liquor bottle security-3                                                                                                         WC blog 180
Bottle Locks – 5

 

 

Liquor Bottle Security; Ideas For All Budget Sizes: Part 1

 

     Recently I was thinking about merchandise protection and how does a store owner go about choosing the method that will best suit his or her needs.  I had this revelation while watching car commercials which were intruding upon one of my favorite television shows.  The first advertisement was to sell me a pick-up truck followed by a commercial for another company selling me a sports car.  A little later a commercial came on trying to entice me to purchase an affordable car.  There is a similar concern for small grocery store and alcohol beverage store owners trying to get a feel for what they can afford in terms of liquor bottle security.  Can they get by with the bare essentials, the affordable compact car or do they need a workhorse, 8 cylinder 440 horsepower pick-up truck?  How about the shop owner looking for the equivalent of the sleek, powerful and fully equipped sports car?  Okay, I am only talking about theft prevention which can vary from using just bottle locks to a full blown security system.  But the point is the same, what will fit the needs and budget of the small or medium size retail business owner?  In this series I will address each “vehicle” in terms of how it relates to varying budgets.

 

     What are bottle locks you may be asking, and how do they work?  Bottle locks are devices that fit on top of a bottle of wine or liquor and lock in place.  Locks may be in the form of a collar the covers only part of the neck of a bottle, or it may cover the entire bottle cap and part of the bottle neck.  Some bottle locks are clear and allow customers to see the manufacturer’s designs or logos on the foil or paper on the neck of the bottle.  Other locks are totally black and no information on the neck can be viewed.  To some store owners this may or may not be an important consideration in which lock style to purchase. 

 

     Many bottle locks also have the ability to activate an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) antenna if brought into the radio frequency range of the antenna.  Locks are manufactured with radio frequency technology built into the lock that can be sensed by the antenna and trip an alarm if it is too close to the antenna and doors.  Locks may also have tamper alarms that will sound if someone tries to force a protective cap off and some have a third alarm that will activate in the lock if the device is carried out the door.

  SO, the question becomes what kind of liquor bottle security are you looking for in order to protect your store?  Let’s assume you are on a somewhat tight budget and you need to keep your merchandise safe from theft, in other words, you’re in the market for the compact economy car.  It’s advertised for great gas mileage, gets you where you want to go and the small print always reminds you that additional features cost more.  For this kind of protection I am going to suggest you may not be able to protect all of your products.  You may be limited in the amount of items you can protect due to cost crunching.  In this case, establish a price point and protect every bottle that hits that mark or higher, you might decide any bottle $30 or greater will be locked. Even for the “economy” car budget you invest in an EAS antenna system for all of your entrances ensuring product being stolen will be detected.

 

       Staffing will probably be minimal in order to increase profit margin.  In this case, place the register near the front door to be able to immediately respond to any EAS alarm.  Set up drink coolers or candy fixtures and turnstiles to prevent a person from grabbing and running in a straight line to the door.  Assuming you can’t afford cameras keep your shelves and fixtures no higher than chest level so you can observe customers.  Also, while cameras may not be affordable, you can purchase mirrors to place in corners that aid in seeing those sections that are not in the line of sight.

 

     Following these easy steps you can have an affordable ride that will keep expenses low and still have an impact on your drive to minimize shoplifting and theft.  Did I say we are still talking about liquor bottle security?

 

Liquor bottle security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

 

Filed Under: Security Tagged With: , , ,

Don’t Be The Unwitting Source For Alcohol Bargain Hunters; Use Bottle Locks To Protect Wine And Spirits

August 25, 2016 by Leave a Comment

 

Bottle Locks-4                                                                                                                      WC Blog 175
Bottle Security- 3
Don’t Be The Unwitting Source For Alcohol Bargain Hunters; Use Bottle Locks To Protect Wine And Spirits
      In my position as a Retail Loss Prevention Manager I frequently had concerns about Organized Retail Crime activity in our area.  I met with Loss Prevention Managers from other retailers and police to discuss the trends I was seeing and we shared information to try to identify those involved.  My biggest concerns were in our health and beauty departments and electronics department.  Though we sold some wine I never considered that alcohol would be targeted by professional shoplifters.  I assumed that those stealing wine and spirits were doing so for a single bottle or two.  Little did I realize until I did some research that alcohol IS a target of professional criminals and there is a black market for the product.  It makes me wonder why more liquor stores and grocery stores that sell alcohol are not using some type of bottle security such as bottle locks on their merchandise.
     Bottle locks come in a variety of styles and sizes to fit nearly any bottle on the market.  These locks have built in radio frequency (RF) Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) technology that cause an EAS antenna alarm to sound when a bottle with a lock is brought in range of the antenna. The locks are built for maximum efficiency making it nearly impossible to tamper with the device to force it off.  If an attempt to force a lock off the top of a bottle is made, the likely result will be a broken bottle and liquor on the floor.  Bottle security doesn’t have to consist of hiding all the merchandise behind locking cases, requiring an employee to retrieve every single bottle.
     What are Organized Retail Crime organizations doing with all this alcohol they are stealing?  They resell the merchandise to small liquor store and bar owners who then save on the cost from a legitimate supplier and use the stolen merchandise to sell in their patron’s drinks.  Below are just a few of the examples I have come across to validate my point:
• Chicago.suntimes.com dated 3/3/2016 headline “Three arrested for stealing stolen liquor at Humboldt Park store”.  The story by Ashlee Rezin reports that, “Three men have been arrested for selling stolen merchandise, including more than 100 bottles of high-end alcohol at a Humboldt Park neighborhood store…”
• Patch.com dated 9/13/2015 headline “Buffalo Grove Convenience Store Owner Charged With Selling Stolen Liquor”.  In the story by Amie Schaenzer, the owner of the store in Buffalo Grove, Illinois was accused of buying stolen bottles of liquor at one store he owned and selling it at another store he owned.
• 8/4/2014 citypaper.com writer Edward Ericson, Jr. reported on a case on March 16th in which a liquor store owner was charged with stealing less than $1,000 worth of Hennessy after buying it from an unauthorized distributor and failing to pay the proper state tax.  According to the report a half million dollar shipment of Hennessy cognac had been stolen from a tractor trailer.
How big a problem is Organized Retail Theft in the United States?  According to the National Retail Federation 2014 Organized Retail Crime Survey, Organized Retail Crime is a $30 billion dollar a year problem.  It is important for even small business owners to use liquor bottle security to keep merchandise from walking out the door.  
     Stores can protect wine and spirits with bottle locks and allow their customers the freedom to look at a bottle and handle it without concern for sending someone to open a case.  Customer service will continue to excel because shoppers can move about with merchandise and not feel rushed to make a decision, because they don’t have an employee waiting to walk away.  Bottle locks can be a big win for customer service and a driver for profitable sales.
Get more information on bottle locks, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

In my position as a Retail Loss Prevention Manager I frequently had concerns about Organized Retail Crime activity in our area. I met with Loss Prevention Managers from other retailers and police to discuss the trends I was seeing and we shared information to try to identify those involved. My biggest concerns were in our health and beauty departments and electronics department. Though we sold some wine I never considered that alcohol would be targeted by professional shoplifters. I assumed that those stealing wine and spirits were doing so for a single bottle or two. Little did I realize until I did some research that alcohol IS a target of professional criminals and there is a black market for the product. It makes me wonder why more liquor stores and grocery stores that sell alcohol are not using some type of bottle security such as bottle locks on their merchandise.

Bottle locks come in a variety of styles and sizes to fit nearly any bottle on the market. These locks have built in radio frequency (RF) Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) technology that cause an EAS antenna alarm to sound when a bottle with a lock is brought in range of the antenna. The locks are built for maximum efficiency making it nearly impossible to tamper with the device to force it off. If an attempt to force a lock off the top of a bottle is made, the likely result will be a broken bottle and liquor on the floor. Bottle security doesn’t have to consist of hiding all the merchandise behind locking cases, requiring an employee to retrieve every single bottle.

 

What are Organized Retail Crime organizations doing with all this alcohol they are stealing? They resell the merchandise to small liquor store and bar owners who then save on the cost from a legitimate supplier and use the stolen merchandise to sell in their patron’s drinks. Below are just a few of the examples I have come across to validate my point:

• Chicago.suntimes.com dated 3/3/2016 headline “Three arrested for stealing stolen liquor at Humboldt Park store”. The story by Ashlee Rezin reports that, “Three men have been arrested for selling stolen merchandise, including more than 100 bottles of high-end alcohol at a Humboldt Park neighborhood store…”

• Patch.com dated 9/13/2015 headline “Buffalo Grove Convenience Store Owner Charged With Selling Stolen Liquor”. In the story by Amie Schaenzer, the owner of the store in Buffalo Grove, Illinois was accused of buying stolen bottles of liquor at one store he owned and selling it at another store he owned.

• 8/4/2014 citypaper.com writer Edward Ericson, Jr. reported on a case on March 16th in which a liquor store owner was charged with stealing less than $1,000 worth of Hennessy after buying it from an unauthorized distributor and failing to pay the proper state tax. According to the report a half million dollar shipment of Hennessy cognac had been stolen from a tractor trailer.

 

How big a problem is Organized Retail Theft in the United States? According to the National Retail Federation 2014 Organized Retail Crime Survey, Organized Retail Crime is a $30 billion dollar a year problem. It is important for even small business owners to use liquor bottle security to keep merchandise from walking out the door.  

 

Stores can protect wine and spirits with bottle locks and allow their customers the freedom to look at a bottle and handle it without concern for sending someone to open a case. Customer service will continue to excel because shoppers can move about with merchandise and not feel rushed to make a decision, because they don’t have an employee waiting to walk away. Bottle locks can be a big win for customer service and a driver for profitable sales.

 

Get more information on bottle locks, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

 

 

Filed Under: Security Tagged With: , , ,

Liquor Bottle Security May Prevent Loss Of Liquor License

July 20, 2016 by Leave a Comment

 

Liquor bottle security – 4                                                                                                         WC blog 150
Bottle Locks – 5
Liquor Bottle Security May Prevent Loss Of Liquor License 
     I have been doing research on liquor sales and was surprised to learn there are a  number of states in which proposals are being made to allow grocery stores and convenience stores to sell spirits, as well as wine.  Obviously driven by a desire to improve profits and add a new product line to their offerings, grocery and big box retailers are pushing to be permitted to sell liquors, something that generally has been restricted to alcohol and beverage commission stores to this point.  One concern that has been raised by opponents in states where this is or has been proposed is that it could lead to an increase in juvenile shoplifting of spirits.  Indeed, in Washington State where the sale of spirits in grocery stores was approved by voters, there are complaints of increased theft by minors.  This led to the passage of state House Bill 2155 in 2014 which makes it possible for stores to lose their liquor license if there is too much theft of spirits.  According to a May 9, 2014 article in Columbian.com, Columbian Political Writer Lauren Drake writes, “The measure, House Bill 2155, states that a licensee experiencing an “unacceptable rate of spirits theft” defined as two or more incidents in a six month period, where the result is an underage drinker ends up possessing the booze, could see their license pulled by the state’s liquor control board.”  If other states follow suit permitting grocery stores and convenience stores to sell spirits, it is safe to assume similar legislation could follow in those states.  So what are some actions stores may take to enhance liquor bottle security?  Incorporating the use of bottle locks on product is one solution.
     Wines and spirits are stolen when they are easy to access, and there are no security measures in place to deter shoplifters.  Bottle locks provide liquor bottle security by preventing access to the bottle cap.  The locks cover the top of the bottle and depending on the style of lock used, protects part of the neck of the bottle as well.  Once in place, the locks can only be removed by using a special detachment key which should be maintained at the points of sale.  If someone tries to pry a bottle lock off, the result will be a broken bottle of liquor.  Another protective feature of these locks is that they are electronic article surveillance (EAS) sensitive and will cause EAS antenna alarms to sound if a locked bottle is carried in the vicinity of the antenna.  
     No business owner wants shoplifting to take place in their stores and they especially don’t want minors to get hold of alcoholic beverages.  If stores other than alcohol and beverage commission stores are going to sell these products, they will have to take steps to keep product available to their customers and out of the hands of youth.  Lock up cases could do the job, but the problem with lock up cases is that they require staff to be available to respond immediately when someone wants something out of the case.  Lock up cases also requires the employee to walk the merchandise to the checkout lane taking up more of the employee’s time.  One other issue with lock up cases is that the customer is unable to hold the product and look at it.  Sales significantly improve when customers have the ability to select products, look at them and continue to shop.  Bottle locks give the shopper the freedom of movement they desire and makes shopping faster for them. 
     If you are a store owner selling or considering selling spirits, make sure you look into liquor bottle security which includes EAS antennas and bottle locks.  I would also suggest signage warning patrons that bottle locks are in use as an added deterrent to theft.  Additional security measures could include video cameras and public view monitors on the aisle in which the alcohol is kept.  Placement of alcohol should be done so that the product is in direct view of a cashier or customer service point.  With such measures in place a store owner should be able to deter not only juvenile shoplifters but adult shoplifters too.  You will find that proactive security steps on your part will protect you and your business if laws are enacted such as those in Washington State.
Liquor bottle security is important and we can help you with it.  Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk. 

I have been doing research on liquor sales and was surprised to learn there are a  number of states in which proposals are being made to allow grocery stores and convenience stores to sell spirits, as well as wine. Obviously driven by a desire to improve profits and add a new product line to their offerings, grocery and big box retailers are pushing to be permitted to sell liquors, something that generally has been restricted to alcohol and beverage commission stores to this point. One concern that has been raised by opponents in states where this is or has been proposed is that it could lead to an increase in juvenile shoplifting of spirits. Indeed, in Washington State where the sale of spirits in grocery stores was approved by voters, there are complaints of increased theft by minors. This led to the passage of state House Bill 2155 in 2014 which makes it possible for stores to lose their liquor license if there is too much theft of spirits. According to a May 9, 2014 article in Columbian.com, Columbian Political Writer Lauren Drake writes, “The measure, House Bill 2155, states that a licensee experiencing an “unacceptable rate of spirits theft” defined as two or more incidents in a six month period, where the result is an underage drinker ends up possessing the booze, could see their license pulled by the state’s liquor control board.” If other states follow suit permitting grocery stores and convenience stores to sell spirits, it is safe to assume similar legislation could follow in those states. So what are some actions stores may take to enhance liquor bottle security? Incorporating the use of bottle locks on product is one solution.

Wines and spirits are stolen when they are easy to access, and there are no security measures in place to deter shoplifters. Bottle locks provide liquor bottle security by preventing access to the bottle cap. The locks cover the top of the bottle and depending on the style of lock used, protects part of the neck of the bottle as well. Once in place, the locks can only be removed by using a special detachment key which should be maintained at the points of sale. If someone tries to pry a bottle lock off, the result will be a broken bottle of liquor. Another protective feature of these locks is that they are electronic article surveillance (EAS) sensitive and will cause EAS antenna alarms to sound if a locked bottle is carried in the vicinity of the antenna.  

No business owner wants shoplifting to take place in their stores and they especially don’t want minors to get hold of alcoholic beverages. If stores other than alcohol and beverage commission stores are going to sell these products, they will have to take steps to keep product available to their customers and out of the hands of youth. Lock up cases could do the job, but the problem with lock up cases is that they require staff to be available to respond immediately when someone wants something out of the case. Lock up cases also requires the employee to walk the merchandise to the checkout lane taking up more of the employee’s time. One other issue with lock up cases is that the customer is unable to hold the product and look at it. Sales significantly improve when customers have the ability to select products, look at them and continue to shop. Bottle locks give the shopper the freedom of movement they desire and makes shopping faster for them. 

If you are a store owner selling or considering selling spirits, make sure you look into liquor bottle security which includes EAS antennas and bottle locks. I would also suggest signage warning patrons that bottle locks are in use as an added deterrent to theft. Additional security measures could include video cameras and public view monitors on the aisle in which the alcohol is kept. Placement of alcohol should be done so that the product is in direct view of a cashier or customer service point. With such measures in place a store owner should be able to deter not only juvenile shoplifters but adult shoplifters too. You will find that proactive security steps on your part will protect you and your business if laws are enacted such as those in Washington State.

 

Liquor bottle security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk. 

 

 

Filed Under: Security Tagged With: , , ,

Shoplifters Don’t Worry About Bottle Prices, That’s Why You Should – Use Bottle Security For ALL Wine And Spirits.

June 23, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Bottle Locks-5                                                                                                                                 WC blog 125
Bottle Security-3
Alpha Security-3
Shoplifters Don’t Worry About Bottle Prices, That’s Why You Should – Use Bottle Security For ALL Wine And Spirits.
     Wine and liquor bottle security for grocery stores and alcohol beverage stores can be a difficult problem to address.  According to the 2014-2015 Global Retail Theft Barometer report, in the Food and Beverages vertical rankings category, wines and spirits ranked number one both in North America AND Worldwide.  The report states on page 55, “Products that are easy to steal, as well as easy to sell, are most prone to theft – resulting in high pilferage for items such as accessories, perfumes, and wines and spirits.”  If you run a store that sells wine or alcohol you may be seeing empty shelves, but not from sales.  Thieves could be targeting your merchandise if you aren’t protecting it. You may contend that you are protecting your merchandise because you are locking up your high dollar beverages.  You might even argue that you are using bottle locks to secure merchandise higher than a specific price point. I would commend you on those efforts, but I believe you could do better.  Shoplifters may be denied access to the expensive goods, but they will move to the cheaper items if they think no one is paying attention.  A solution for protecting your lower-risk, lower end-merchandise is the Alpha Security Steel grip bottle cap.
     The Steel Grip lock is an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device that is designed to provide bottle security for lower-risk wines and spirits.  The lock has a metal strap that is secured around the lower portion of the bottle cap, tightening it around the neck of the bottle.  While it does not protect the full cap like the other styles of bottle locks do, it does provide visual deterrence and EAS alarm protection if someone attempts to steal a bottle.
     I have always been opposed to the merchandise protection strategy that sets a price point on merchandise before it is protected with some type of security device.  As a former Loss Prevention Manager, I had to abide by similar guidelines and it annoyed me.  In my opinion, this type of strategy is indicating there will be an acceptable level of loss.  Here is what I mean, I walked into one grocery store and looked at their selection of wines.  I tried to determine the price point that they were using before they implemented bottle security.  It appeared the price of a bottle had to be around $29.99 or above before they used bottle locks to protect the merchandise. There were not a lot of selections at this price point, so that left a LOT of wine and champagne unprotected below that price.  As a matter of fact, I would estimate over 95 percent of the merchandise in the department was NOT protected and therefore subject to theft.  It might be irritating to a shoplifter to be prevented from stealing the higher priced bottle, but I can tell you from experience, they will be willing to settle for a $20 bottle if the $30 bottle is not available.  Why is that loss acceptable to any store manager?  That’s the message being sent.
     The best strategy for improving profits and keeping store shelves in-stock for your legitimate customers is to protect all of the merchandise in a category of which you are concerned could be a target for theft.  In a grocery store, squash and celery theft may not be a significant concern, but wine is (as indicated in the Global Retail Theft Barometer Report).  Grocery managers should not worry about merchandise protection for veggies, but investing in Alpha Security bottle locks for all of the wine in the store could pay big dividends, especially if all the bottles are protected in some fashion.
     Use Alpha Security full size bottle locks on your top shelf/ high ticket wines and spirits but don’t neglect the lower priced bottles.  Use the Steel Grip bottle lock to deter ALL theft in your store and watch your profits grow.
Bottle Security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
     
     

Wine and liquor bottle security for grocery stores and alcohol beverage stores can be a difficult problem to address.  According to the 2014-2015 Global Retail Theft Barometer report, in the Food and Beverages vertical rankings category, wines and spirits ranked number one both in North America AND Worldwide. The report states on page 55, “Products that are easy to steal, as well as easy to sell, are most prone to theft – resulting in high pilferage for items such as accessories, perfumes, and wines and spirits.” If you run a store that sells wine or alcohol you may be seeing empty shelves, but not from sales. Thieves could be targeting your merchandise if you aren’t protecting it. You may contend that you are protecting your merchandise because you are locking up your high dollar beverages.  You might even argue that you are using bottle locks to secure merchandise higher than a specific price point. I would commend you on those efforts, but I believe you could do better. Shoplifters may be denied access to the expensive goods, but they will move to the cheaper items if they think no one is paying attention. A solution for protecting your lower-risk, lower end-merchandise is the Alpha Security Steel grip bottle cap.

 

The Steel Grip lock is an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device that is designed to provide bottle security for lower-risk wines and spirits. The lock has a metal strap that is secured around the lower portion of the bottle cap, tightening it around the neck of the bottle. While it does not protect the full cap like the other styles of bottle locks do, it does provide visual deterrence and EAS alarm protection if someone attempts to steal a bottle.

     

I have always been opposed to the merchandise protection strategy that sets a price point on merchandise before it is protected with some type of security device. As a former Loss Prevention Manager, I had to abide by similar guidelines and it annoyed me. In my opinion, this type of strategy is indicating there will be an acceptable level of loss. Here is what I mean, I walked into one grocery store and looked at their selection of wines. I tried to determine the price point that they were using before they implemented bottle security. It appeared the price of a bottle had to be around $29.99 or above before they used bottle locks to protect the merchandise. There were not a lot of selections at this price point, so that left a LOT of wine and champagne unprotected below that price.  As a matter of fact, I would estimate over 95 percent of the merchandise in the department was NOT protected and therefore subject to theft. It might be irritating to a shoplifter to be prevented from stealing the higher priced bottle, but I can tell you from experience, they will be willing to settle for a $20 bottle if the $30 bottle is not available. Why is that loss acceptable to any store manager? That’s the message being sent.
     

The best strategy for improving profits and keeping store shelves in-stock for your legitimate customers is to protect all of the merchandise in a category of which you are concerned could be a target for theft. In a grocery store, squash and celery theft may not be a significant concern, but wine is (as indicated in the Global Retail Theft Barometer Report). Grocery managers should not worry about merchandise protection for veggies, but investing in Alpha Security bottle locks for all of the wine in the store could pay big dividends, especially if all the bottles are protected in some fashion.
     

Use Alpha Security full size bottle locks on your top shelf/ high ticket wines and spirits but don’t neglect the lower priced bottles. Use the Steel Grip bottle lock to deter ALL theft in your store and watch your profits grow.

 

Bottle Security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.     

     

 

Filed Under: Security Tagged With: , , , ,
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