Most large clothing retailers have an EAS system that aids them in the fight to stop shoplifting. They have the experience and the budgets to employ these systems company wide. It is the small to mid size clothing retailers that have the hardest time making the jump to employing a company wide EAS system. The thought of outfitting stores with the RF pedestals buying checkpoint security tags and checkpoint labels then ensuring the system is implemented correctly can send executives into a tailspin. That is why it is important for loss prevention executives to be able to communicate the cost effectiveness of making the right business decision.

Taking the first step is always the toughest. In my experience to research the possibility of installing checkpoint systems company wide I found that taking as many partners as possible from a variety of departments within the company allowed us to clearly define our wants and needs as goals to be achieved. One can’t just throw money at an issue by buying a bunch of RF security labels and RF security tags and hope to impact shrink in a positive way. Obviously when inventory numbers are trending higher than what the industry or the company deems acceptable people get nervous and the sense of urgency can tempt a person to cut corners. Many retailers immediately grasp at any straw to stop shoplifting.

I started with the internal audit and inventory control department heads when starting the process to research the possibility of a companywide roll out of checkpoint. I wanted a breakout of the company’s overall shrink by categories, by dollar and by percentage as well as a top ten category breakout detailing the exact skus being lost to ascertain the top loss skus. At that point we had the numbers and the information to take the next step to sit down with the checkpoint representative. I told him I wanted a detailed presentation of his product in a way that even my grandmother would understand. I was pleasantly surprised when he arrived with a wide array of checkpoint labels and checkpoint security tags as well as samples of the EAS pedestals to be installed. This is when I brought in the “bean counters” of the company to crunch the numbers to see if the money spent would be worth the savings gained. I do not think the finance guys were as impressed with the capabilities of the RF labels and RF security tags but the potential savings had them on the edge of their seats. One curve ball checkpoint had was the capability to source tag, which means they could set up a way to fix the RF security tags and the RF security labels to the product at the distribution center to arrive at the stores pre tagged thus saving payroll at the store level as well as the possibility of stores over buying checkpoint security tags or checkpoint labels.

I was duly impressed with how versatile the RF label was in how many different products it could protect. Watching the Checkpoint representative’s ability to interact and answer the questions of employees from multiple departments was very interesting and allowed me to expand my own horizons as far as the different concerns each department might entertain. I compiled the pros and cons of RF security labels and RF tags as well as the complete system itself. One thing all departments realized is no matter how “smart” an RF label is nor how many RF labels are purchased they themselves can not stop shoplifting. The most important point driven home by the checkpoint representative was the fact that the system is interactive. All employees must take part in the daily audits, theft detection and alarm reaction to ensure the system operates at peak performance.

In the end a comprehensive proposal was put together by checkpoint after having input from various department heads within the company that met all of our wants and needs as well as laid out a detailed plan as how to achieve our shrink goals while being cost effective. Let us say there were “no RF labels left unturned”. Business owners take note, the process can be lengthy but you will feel very comfortable that you have not been rushed into any decision since you are not just purchasing a system but forming an ongoing partnership.

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

 

 

I know that shrink losses are a serious matter. Billions of dollars are lost annually due to inventory theft. Seeing the attempts day in and day out I know it can be a grueling process trying to stop shoplifting. I also get to see the result of a well laid plan thwarting a shoplifter, often due to the use of Checkpoint security tags and Checkpoint labels.

It was just the other day when I saw a lady come in to the store and eye a rather expensive leather jacket. This is one product that we diligently use RF security tags to help stop shoplifting. She looked to find her size, and tried it on. After admiring herself in the mirror, she looked back at the price tag. You could see by the look on her face that it was beyond what she wanted to pay.

 She carried the jacket around the store lingering by the exits. Unfortunately for her, she got a bit too close to one of the doors and the RF security tag set off the alarm. She was so surprised; she practically threw the jacket in the air! Needless to say, she left the store in quite a hurry after that.

 Without the use of Checkpoint security tags, we would have easily suffered a loss with that jacket.  I will, however, never forget the look on her face as she realized she had been caught trying to shoplift!

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

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

The retail business is littered with complications and issues that can affect the bottom line.  This can add significant stress to an already tight budget, during these difficult economic times.  Fortunately, some of these issues are preventable with the use of proper tools.  Once such issue is shoplifting.  By stopping shoplifting a retailer can limit their financial loss and create a more profitable environment.   To prevent shoplifting in your store, the use of Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF security labels, and RF security tags can be employed.  The use of these counter-measures discourages and eventually can stop shoplifting.

 I have seen first hand the effectiveness of RF labels, RF Security labels/tags.  During my career in loss prevention, the use of this technology has greatly deterred many shoplifters and in some cases almost completely stopped shoplifting.  One company that I have worked with extensively is Checkpoint security.  The use of Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint security tags has had a positive impact for shortage reduction and safety in the stores.  The Checkpoint security tags and Checkpoint labels in the traditional fashion like most RF labels and RF security tags.  These devices give an audible notification if they are removed beyond your controlled access points.  This audible notification allows the store personnel to recover the merchandise, as well as, the RF labels and RF security tags.  This ability to recover the merchandise not only limits your theft loss, but also creates an environment that discourages shoplifting.  By preventing this type of loss, your business is better set up to run as a profitable organization.

 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

 

One of the toughest cases we had when I worked at a large clothing retailer involved a ring of shoe thieves who not only stole but also conducted fraudulent refunds of the stolen product. The strategy to stop shoplifting depends on the type of retailer and the type of product sold at that store. In this case the retailer was caught flat footed since they did not employ any type of anti shoplifting devices in the shoe department. Basically the only tools we had to work with was a two way mirror over the shoe aisle and walking the floor to observe any potential theft. When the thefts occurred and went unnoticed the thieves struck more often with aggressive boldness. A meeting with the store management team to promote floor awareness brought about several questions as to employing newer technology to stop shoplifting. One suggestion was to use an EAS company called Checkpoint. They used RF technology via rf security labels and rf security tags. The main issue was to figure out whether to use the Checkpoint security tags or the checkpoint labels or both.

An rf label is a sturdy sticker with rf technology that can be attached to flat surfaces and hidden so as to not alert a would be thief. The checkpoint labels could be used on women’s dress shoes since there is really no where to attach checkpoint security tags. A rf label could be placed on the bottom of the shoe or inside the shoe. Using the RF labels in this fashion was the first step in our strategy to stop this ring of thieves. A decision was made to place the checkpoint labels on the bottom of every “right” footed women’s dress shoe. One additional step was taken for the very expensive women’s shoes and that was to place a lanyard though the loop or strap at the end of the shoe and attach checkpoint security tags. This was in addition to the rf labels attached to the bottom of the shoes. This process was tough to start but once in place was not to hard to audit and maintain.

The next area of concern was men’s dress shoes, which again, because of the several different types of shoes required a though process as to whether we had to use the rf security labels or the rf security tags or a combination of both the checkpoint labels and checkpoint security tags. The initial thought was to use the rf security tags on the right foot of every shoe by placing them through the top “eyelet” of shoes that had to be tied. In recent fashion trends more men’s shoes simply slip on requiring no fastening of any kind. This warranted us to place a rf label on the bottom of each right footed shoe, just like the women’s slip on shoes. Unlike may of the expensive women’s shoes these types of men’s slip on shoes did not have a place to put a lanyard or tag so it was decided to place rf security labels inside the men’s right shoe. Keeping all the rf labels and rf security tags on the right shoes made it less complicated for the store staff to attach, audit and remove.

The remaining area of concern was men and women’s sneakers which were much easier to secure by using the checkpoint security tags and when needed lanyards. All were secure through the “eyelet” of the right shoe. RF security labels were also hidden within the right shoe of the most expensive sneakers.

Tagging and floor awareness cut back the ring of thieves almost immediately. The process of the initial tagging and training was an investment of time and money that in the end helped the company cut 70% of the inventory loss in the shoe category. The fraudulent refunds were also shut down since the thieves no longer were able to steal the shoes and then return them fraudulently. Having a tagging strategy and ensuring the entire store staff knew how to tag, how to audit and how to remove the tags put us well on our way to achieve the true goal to stop 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 RF label or call