Frequency

Checkpoint security tags come in many forms giving you the ability to choose what is best for your business. What is sometimes overlooked is what you can do with the RF security tags once you choose your best option.

Some RF security tags can be set at varying frequencies allowing you to change what happens when a particularly frequency passes a certain point or antenna. We have set our antennas to detect two separate frequencies. When one RF label frequency is passed by the antennas at the exit they flash red, and a slow beeping noise is emitted. This is used for the majority of our merchandise. However, when our second RF label frequency passes through the antennas they flash blue, and a faster beeping noise is emitted. This frequency is used for our jewelry merchandise.

Adjusting the frequency for particular items can be very helpful to identifying what types of merchandise are being stolen and ultimately stop shoplifting. By using a separate frequency for small expensive items such as jewelry, you can identify potential shoplifters to keep your eye out for in the future. You can identify subjects who may be purchasing some less expensive items and conceal other higher dollar merchandise in order to use the merchandise they purchase as an excuse to set off the alarm. If you are having major issues with the theft of a very specific item you can tag that item with different frequency RF labels and identify when that item is leaving your store. The options and uses of checkpoint labels are endless.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, and other RF labels that can help you stop shoplifting in your business.

For more information on Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF labels, RF security labels, RF security tags and how to stop shoplifting contact us at RF label or call 1.770.426.0547 

Anti-Shoplifting Strategy: Come On Horse Drink!!

You can lead a horse to water, you can coax it all you want, heck, you can even push it in the lake but you can NOT force it to drink. This is something I learned as a loss prevention professional over the years. When it came to spending money to save money via retail theft prevention devices there was a constant battle amongst the powers that be. As I gradually moved up the chain I was privy to more and more of the details of the ongoing argument regarding anti shoplifting strategies. What I came to realize was in order for any company executive to spend one penny of the budget they had to prove how an item would preferably generate sales or at the very least reduce shrink. There in lies the problem, one side of the argument felt that if the company solely focused on raising sales the company could ignore shrink, the other side focused its attention solely on retail theft prevention.

One of the best and most controversial anti shoplifting tools is the checkpoint security system. The checkpoint systems employ entrance/exit protection of product with RF pedestals that sound alarms whenever checkpoint security tags which are affixed to product are removed from the store. The Checkpoint security system was quite impressive, utilizing checkpoint security tags that are labels and hard tags. The third party arbitrator for peace was the checkpoint systems vendor. He was able to address both the sales and loss prevention concerns regarding sales and retail theft prevention. It was quite interesting to hear him talk about the fact that the checkpoint systems could actually increase sales by ensuring the product is protected and available on the sales floor for purchase. Many times high dollar items were placed one at a time on the sales floor and if stolen and not reported that product could go days or weeks without being represented on the floor thus reducing sales potential.

Utilizing the checkpoint security tags on all items allowed the sales team to place more items on the sales floor thus ensuring all products were represented at all times. The Checkpoint security tags also served its purpose as an anti shoplifting tool. Once in place the checkpoint system was an incredible asset to the company serving the duel purpose of increasing sales and deterring theft. The system demands interaction via consistent tagging, tag audits, proper deactivation/detachment at register and proper reaction to alarms. Our executives were able to come to a smart conclusion that allowed both departments to work together for proper system installation and implementation. We have never looked back and always look for ways to make the system even more beneficial.

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

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

How RF Security Labels Can Help To Stop Shoplifting

Retail Loss Prevention is involved in a stop shoplifting war.  With retail security as an ally, retailers actually have a means to defeat the onslaught of shoplifters who pilfer merchandise day after day.

 The weapons provided with an EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) system are a powerful defense in the battle against thieves.  RF Labels and RF Security Tags attached to highly desirable merchandise repel shoplifters like there is a virtual wall around it.  Since most shoplifters have a leaning toward self-preservation, that is not being caught, they tend to attack weaker targets, those with weaker defenses that have no Checkpoint Security tags or Checkpoint labels protecting the objective merchandise.

 The merchandise is openly displayed and available to legitimate customers. The defensive tactic of applying an RF label and RF security tags only affects those attempting to remove merchandise from the store without paying for it first.  The stop shoplifting measures – Checkpoint security tags and RF security labels – must first be removed or deactivated by an employee at the point of sale.  Without this happening, the EAS technology will detect the protected merchandise when it comes into proximity of the RF label antennas located near the exit.  When the retail anti theft devices sound the alert, store staff can address the situation and correct it, preventing yet another shoplifting.

 The combination of active EAS detection and passive deterrence of the presence of retail anti theft devices is a powerful weapon in the war against shoplifting.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, and other RF labels that can help you stop shoplifting in your business.

 For more information on Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF labels, RF security labels, RF security tags and how to stop shoplifting contact us at http://www.losspreventionsystems.com/site.cfm/Contact-Us.cfm or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

 

Spider Wrap vs. Shoplifter: The Man in the Pillows

Checkpoint security tags, Spider wraps and other checkpoint systems can be a pretty useful tool when it comes to retail theft prevention. Checkpoint systems will deter most people from shoplifting, but every once and a while you get a shoplifter determined to defeat any anti shoplifting methods you’ve used. Over the years I have acquired many stories about such endeavors. Today I’ll tell you a little story about the man in the pillows.

I was working late one night finishing up putting checkpoint security tags on a new shipment when I saw this guy walk in. The man was on a mission, and I was pretty sure that mission was to steal. I ran back to the office and started watching cameras on my checkpoint security system. The man was clearly looking for something specific. Once he found the electronics, I could tell that was it. Luckily I knew everything there had all their retail theft prevention measures in place, so I wasn’t too worried about a grab and run. The next thing I knew the man had a digital camera in hand despite the anti shoplifting methods we had in place. He headed for the bedding area. Once he got there the man took out a knife and started going at the wire of the spider wrap! I couldn’t believe it. I grabbed the phone and immediately called the police. While I was on the phone the knife snapped through the wire and set off the spider wrap. I knew the spider wrap went off because the man was obviously panicking. He grabbed the wrap by its speaker and squeezed. It muffled the sound I’m sure, but it wasn’t enough. The man then threw the wrap on the ground and began to stomp on it. This didn’t work either. He picked it up and buried it behind some pillows. Now this appeared to work, at least enough for him to get away. He grabbed all the pillows he could find and piled them on and around where he had stashed the wrap. Then he picked up the camera, stuffed it down his pants and made a beeline for the doors. By this time the police had arrived and were waiting for him to exit. Busted, my checkpoint security system and I had won.

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

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

RF Labels plus teamwork equals theft prevention

Retail establishments used various techniques and tools to stop shoplifting. These tools vary in what they do and how they are used. RF labels are one of those tools and an RF label comes in different size to use in different types of situations. These RF labels are placed on everything from clothing items, perfumes and hi-value items. Once RF security tags they serve two purposes one is to deter theft of the items and second is that if the item is removed without payment the RF label will set off an alarm upon exit. RF labels go by different names such as Checkpoint labels or Checkpoint security tags, but their purpose is the same. 

     But for these Checkpoint security tags to work correctly the employees responsible for placing them on the items properly must be sure they are done correctly. The main goal of the Checkpoint labels is to stop shoplifting. I have seen many situations were an improperly placed RF security labels is just pulled off the item which defeat the purpose of them being on the item.  This type of improper placement can cause a retailer’s a tremendous amount of money. This is why for any program to stop shoplifting to work everyone must work together for the same common goal.    

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, and other RF labels that can help you stop shoplifting in your business.

 For more information on Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF labels, RF security labels, RF security tags and how to stop shoplifting contact us at RF label or call 1.770.426.0547

 

How random ‘demonstrations’ help with retail theft prevention

Almost everyone is familiar with practices such as ‘the perp walk’ or ‘a munitions test’.  They are shows of power.  They are opportunity for an authority to flex its muscle in the face of its adversaries.  In loss prevention we don’t have access to ballistic missiles or the ability to march an apprehended shoplifter through the store to identify and embarrass them (in most cases anyway).  For us, the only way to flex our muscles is generally passive in nature, to show we are watching.  Having retail theft prevention systems visibly in play are one way of doing this; cameras (be they dummy or actual) mounted to the walls or ceilings, Checkpoint security tags on the merchandise, even a uniformed agent standing guard at an access point.

I myself have thought of a more aggressive method of demonstrating that we are vigilantly watching in the hopes that those who bear witness may be dissuaded from potentially illicit acts.  I’d like to think of it as an anti shoplifting drill.  The way it works is you have an employee (preferably another loss prevention agent in plainclothes) do a rather conspicuous shoplifting exercise throughout the store, concealing product on their person or in a prop bag.  Then they will make their way to the most populated or traveled access point of the store, preferably passing through a Checkpoint security system, where other loss prevention agents will appear to make the ‘apprehension’ in a very public manner.  The more people that see, the better.  Obviously this is a practice only really works if you have the available manpower and the time to do it, but it would be a show of your team’s anti shoplifting prowess that can work to your advantage.

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

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

A few hows and whys regarding using Checkpoint security systems

Checkpoint Security Tags are among the most common forms of anti shoplifting devices currently being utilized in today’s retail environment.  They are easy to install, easy to upkeep, and are simple enough that anyone can implement it into their store.  The way it functions is the Checkpoint security tags are applied to product; the tags themselves clip on through the use of a large pin that snaps into place on the flat side of the sensor.  When a sensor passes near a Checkpoint system gate it triggers an alarm, the source of which is a feedback signal created by the sensor’s proximity to the gate.  The noise it creates is both familiar and noticeable.  However it is not fool-proof by any means.

The most important thing to ensure the effectiveness of a Checkpoint security system is that it is executed properly.  It will do no good if your employees are not attaching tags to over 95% of the product you are trying to protect.  In order to ensure those standards are kept I can only suggest that incoming product that fits your company’s protection guidelines are tagged as soon as they get off the shipment truck before they even hit the sales floor.  After that, doing regular checks on tag attachment rates will help you keep tabs on who in your store is not towing the line as the saying goes.

Just remember, even if you have a 100% tag attachment rate it does not guarantee absolute retail theft prevention.  The Checkpoint security system is merely an anti shoplifting tool that best serves as a supplement that gives your loss prevention team valuable time and even a little peace of mind.

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

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

The smaller things in life: RF Security Labels can help

There are always times when your typical checkpoint labels or checkpoint security tags are too large or bulky to affix to certain types of merchandise. Jewelry, fragrances, and sunglasses are the first things that come to mind. This can make it difficult to secure these items and stop shoplifting with our typical resources. That is when RF security labels can come in handy. With RF labels you have the ability to print UPC’s and pricing labels directly onto the RF security tag. You are saving space and accomplishing two goals at once; securing your merchandise to stop shoplifting and providing your customers with the prices without covering up the packaging of the merchandise.

 I remember before we discovered RF labels, I was catching a lot of flack for covering so much of the merchandise packaging. The fragrances were supposed to look good and attract the customer to the item. With the old checkpoint labels the packaging looked much worse having to make room for both the UPC and the checkpoint security tag.  My team is much happier now that the RF security labels are integrated. We are also able to affix RF security labels to things that we previously couldn’t fit them on. Jewelry and sunglasses are now much more secure with the RF label containing the security tag as well. RF security tags are a big deterrent as well. With the security notice printed on the labels customers know that this item is protected and they will be far less likely to just stick it in their pocket and walk out the door.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, and other RF labels that can help you stop shoplifting in your business.

 For more information on Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF labels, RF security labels, RF security tags and how to stop shoplifting contact us at RF label or call 1.770.426.0547

 

Customer Service vs. Retail Theft Prevention

Throughout my time working in Loss Prevention, I have observed a constant struggle between stopping theft and giving customers the best shopping experience. As a person representing the anti-shoplifting side of retail, if it were up to me, everything in a store would be nailed down, in a case, or behind bars. This is why I don’t own a store and haven’t crossed over to a Customer Service department. Shoppers don’t want to be treated like criminals and they want to have an open merchandise experience where they can try on shoes, pick up purses, and test cosmetics. So how can retailers obtain a healthy balance between these two conflicting missions?

Enter Checkpoint Security Systems, a leader in anti-shoplifting solutions. All of the companies that I have worked for except one have used Checkpoint security tags to combat theft of live merchandise. While interviewing shoplifters at the retailer that didn’t utilize solutions from Checkpoint systems, all of them admitted that they chose our store over other retailers because we didn’t have any merchandise protection they would have to worry about defeating. While many professional shoplifters have tools to remove security tags, they still seek out stores that will make their job easier.

Checkpoint security tags also allow stores to offer their customers a live merchandise experience without the suspicion and worry that I constantly live with. With both hard and soft tags offered, shoppers can freely test and try on merchandise without bulky sensors getting in the way or tangled cables preventing them from removing the item from a rack. Retailers and shoppers each have more positive interactions with each other, and guests leave the store happier. The battle between Loss Prevention and customer service is over, with both sides coming out a winner.

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

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

Loss Prevention vs. Sales: It’s MINE!!!

While working for a large retailer as a loss prevention store detective one of the biggest challenges was to find ways to stop shoplifting. As a department we seemed to never trust any other employees and had an attitude of “hands off” when it came to any attempts to stop shoplifting. When the company purchased the Checkpoint system we were excited since the LP department had been awarded such an expensive tool to prevent theft. I look back and I can not believe how narrow minded we had become. The Checkpoint system was going to be a catalyst to change the way we conducted business.

When we started with the checkpoint training we were amazed to find sales employees sitting in the room. The trainer started with the general statement that the system was multifaceted and interactive, meaning ALL employees had to work together for the system to succeed. This became obvious once the trainer showed us the checkpoint security tags and checkpoint labels. A couple LP employees were not going to be able to go through the entire store placing rf security tags and rf security labels on the product.

The trainer showed us the benefits of using the rf labels on products such as fragrances, accessories and electronics. He demonstrated the best way to place the rf label on the product without damaging the product or the rf label. He next demonstrated the benefits of the checkpoint security tags. He showed us which products needed the rf security tags such as sneakers, shoes, clothing and several bedding items from the domestics department. The training with the checkpoint security tags took much more time since the rf security tags had to be pushed through the product and if done incorrectly could damage the product. One of the main points made regarding the checkpoint security tags was to ensure the pin portion of the tag was pushed through seams of clothing and eyelets of shoes and sneakers.

At this point we were very glad that our sales partners were going to be a part of the implementation process. This was not the end of the cooperation aspect regarding the checkpoint system. The next point was how to react to the checkpoint alarms. If someone were to remove merchandise with rf security labels how did we best approach the customer? Again, we could not imagine being able to react to every alarm while also watching the sales floor. This is where the proper deactivation of the rf labels and removal of the rf security tags come into play to reduce “false” alarms. Also reacting correctly by offering great customer service when an alarm was set off reduces the possibility of a potential liability incident by falsely accusing a person of theft. The training really forced the lp and sales department to work together to protect each other and achieve the system’s goals.

We had many “dry runs” of reacting to alarms. We found that the checkpoint labels being hidden in or on different areas of product made it tough to find and deactivate at the register. We immediately decided that we needed a system that ensures the checkpoint labels and tags would be placed in or on the same place for each separate product. This allowed the sales personnel to know exactly where to locate the rf labels thus speeding up sales at the register and reducing false alarms due to a missed rf label. RF security labels were not the only items to be missed, if a tag had been forgotten and an alarm was not reacted to then the customer would try to remove the tag at home thus causing damage to the product and then ultimately a return and an unhappy customer.

In the end the checkpoint system helped forge a partnership that led to lower shrink, improved sales and a strong teamwork mentality at the store level. The checkpoint system is an excellent tool to be used to stop shoplifting but as the trainer had said “the system is only as good as the team that works with it  everyday”.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, and other RF labels that can help you stop shoplifting in your business.

For more information on Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF labels, RF security labels, RF security tags and how to stop shoplifting contact us at RF label or call 1.770.426.0547