To Prosecute Or Not – The Ball’s In Your Court

February 28, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Does it matter whether you prosecute shoplifters? There are some retailers that will not prosecute a shoplifter if they catch them. Many retailers discourage their employees from following someone outside to get a vehicle description or license plate number even if they know someone stole from the store. Then there are the retailers that will allow managers to approach someone who is suspected of shoplifting. What is the best approach to addressing theft? Have you thought about why or how you approach the issue of theft?x

Why would a retailer catch a shoplifter but then not prosecute them for the crime? There are several reasons a store owner may choose not to charge a shoplifter if they do catch them. 

  • When a shoplifter is caught and sent to jail or in some cases a citation to appear may be presented, the store manager or person who caught the shoplifter has to go to court. This can be a time-consuming prospect. There are jurisdictions where the person who filed a complaint or prosecuted a shoplifter will be prosecuted themselves if they fail to appear in court for a case. 
  • Some store owners will use the promise of not prosecuting a crook if the merchandise is returned. The owner is more interested in getting their product back than what happens to the thief.
  • There are managers who do not prosecute because they feel badly for the shoplifter. They believe that consideration of the person’s circumstances is an appropriate response to an offender. For example a person may say they shoplifted food because they are hungry or they stole clothes because they are homeless or needed them and could not afford to purchase them.
  • There are situations when a store manager takes age into consideration. The apprehended party may be (or claims to be) a juvenile giving an age that falls into that state’s age bracket for juveniles. The manager may feel they are doing a favor by not marring the youth’s future opportunities with a criminal record. A manager may also feel sympathy for an elderly person because of advanced age or possible mental deterioration.

Each of these decisions has some merit on their own. There is nothing wrong with feeling badly for a person or their circumstances. There can be some ramifications that result from releasing someone who has been caught shoplifting if you are not careful. 

     Consider what happens if you decide not to prosecute someone and they leave your store after you have detained them and they were to be injured. I am always especially cautious when the party is identified as a juvenile. Anytime you are dealing with a child you have to be careful. If you choose not to contact the police after stopping someone, even if you retrieve your merchandise what proof do you have that you recovered anything from that person? Is there a chance you could be falsely accused of unlawfully detaining that person? Even if you do recover merchandise and no issue transpires, without a police officer being present to hear you tell the person not to return there is no documentation of the incident. Nothing prevents that shoplifter from returning to your store again. 

     Catching and prosecuting shoplifters does carry its own risks and headaches. Sometimes there are just no easy solutions. One thing you have to be very cautious of is inconsistency. If you prosecute one person and not another person are you at risk of being sued for discrimination? Could someone say you gave preferential treatment based on age, race, gender or any other factor because it was learned you previously allowed a break to other people?

     If you are going to allow managers to stop people for shoplifting it is crucial that they have received quality training on how to do so safely and consistently. Be certain not to allow any behavior that would endanger your employees and do stress that they are allowed to make decisions based on how they feel about their own safety. If they believe a shopper is stealing but the person’s behavior is threatening or intimidating in some manner trust your managers to back off or if it is serious enough to contact police. 

     No one can tell you the best approach to dealing with shoplifters. Ultimately it is your decision to make. What I can say is that a store with a focus on customer service and a strong retail anti-theft strategy can deter the vast majority of shoplifting and eliminate the need for prosecuting shoplifters because they will leave the store empty-handed.  

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Sensormatic Flexible Safers??? What Are They And Why Would I Want Them?

February 22, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Sensormatic Flexible Safers??? What Are They And Why Would I Want Them?

Sensormatic Safers are nothing new. Safers have been around for a long time. But, they have evolved! Basically you use a safer to protect goods that are not easily protected by alarming wraps, hard tags or a label. Sometimes very small merchandise items work well in a safer. High value items are another prospect for a safer.
So what is a Safer? In the traditional form a safer is a strong plastic box with a special locking device. It allows you to place merchandise items in it and still display them. Your customer can pick them up and take them up to the cashier who unlocks the box and rings up the merchandise. The safer is reused over and over. Safers can sit on a shelf or be hung from a peg hook. Safers come in hundreds of sizes. If a shoplifter attempts to steal merchandise inside a Flexible Safer, then the Sensormatic system at the customer doors goes into alarm.
Sensormatic has a new twist on the traditional safer with the Flexible Safer. This item has a secure, locking zipper type closure and is constructed out of heavy duty materials. It could not be torn open with your hands. It would require a tool of some sort to defeat. The Sensormatic Flexible Safer is not for every piece of merchandise. In many cases there are much better ways to secure products. 
However, the Flexible Safer can help solve certain problems with merchandise that cannot take a hard tag or label and must be displayed regardless. It gives us another tool to discourage shoplifting. I do not see this product being used on a wide scale basis but I do see it used for a specific, problem merchandise item.
Flexible Safers come in three sizes.  Small is ideal for SD Cards, Razor Blades, Cosmetics, Ear Buds, Batteries, Boxed Apparel and more. Height 208mm (8.19in) Width 200mm (7.87in).
Medium is best with Printer Ink Cartridges, Cosmetic Moisturizer, Baby Formula, Perfumes and similar sized items. Height 260mm (10.24in) Width 250mm (9.84in).
And lastly the large is perfect for HDMI Cables, Stereo Headphones, Game Controllers and Health & Beauty merchandise. Height 338mm (13.3in) Width 325mm (13.85in).
All Safers including the Flexible Safer are clear. Flexible Safers are available in both AM and RF technologies allowing you to open merchandise with confidence. They are very thin and will take up less room on your displays than a traditional safer. 
Flexible Safers are constructed from three clear, strong and lightweight plastics laminated together to form a strong, yet flexible, composite product. It is extremely easy to use and available in various magnetic strengths to work with the full line of Sensormatic magnetic detachers. They are reusable and will hold up in a busy retail environment.
The design is actually very pleasant to look at. In addition to being clear it has green and grey trim. I could easily see them on an endcap with higher dollar merchandise such as batteries or razor blades that a customer wants to compare without having to touch the merchandise. The customer can still pick them up, compare and select the item right for themselves without having staff nearby to help or unlock them.
Again, this is not a solve all for every piece of merchandise you carry. Like with any Sensormatic hard tag or label you need to have small quantities of several sizes to fit your needs.
Would you like a sample of Flexible Safers or ask questions? Please contact us by calling Loss Prevention Systems at 1-770-426-0547. We are ready to help you have a more profitable year.

Sensormatic Safers are nothing new. Safers have been around for a long time. But, they have evolved! Basically you use a safer to protect goods that are not easily protected by alarming wraps, hard tags or a label. Sometimes very small merchandise items work well in a safer. High value items are another prospect for a safer.

 

 So what is a Safer? In the traditional form a safer is a strong plastic box with a special locking device. It allows you to place merchandise items in it and still display them. Your customer can pick them up and take them up to the cashier who unlocks the box and rings up the merchandise. The safer is reused over and over. Safers can sit on a shelf or be hung from a peg hook. Safers come in hundreds of sizes. If a shoplifter attempts to steal merchandise inside a Flexible Safer, then the Sensormatic system at the customer doors goes into alarm.

 

Sensormatic has a new twist on the traditional safer with the Flexible Safer. This item has a secure, locking zipper type closure and is constructed out of heavy duty materials. It could not be torn open with your hands. It would require a tool of some sort to defeat. The Sensormatic Flexible Safer is not for every piece of merchandise. In many cases there are much better ways to secure products. 

 

However, the Flexible Safer can help solve certain problems with merchandise that cannot take a hard tag or label and must be displayed regardless. It gives us another tool to discourage shoplifting. I do not see this product being used on a wide scale basis but I do see it used for a specific, problem merchandise item.

 

Flexible Safers come in three sizes.  Small is ideal for SD Cards, Razor Blades, Cosmetics, Ear Buds, Batteries, Boxed Apparel and more. Height 208mm (8.19in) Width 200mm (7.87in).

 

Medium is best with Printer Ink Cartridges, Cosmetic Moisturizer, Baby Formula, Perfumes and similar sized items. Height 260mm (10.24in) Width 250mm (9.84in).

 

And lastly the large is perfect for HDMI Cables, Stereo Headphones, Game Controllers and Health & Beauty merchandise. Height 338mm (13.3in) Width 325mm (13.85in).

 

All Safers including the Flexible Safer are clear. Flexible Safers are available in both AM and RF technologies allowing you to open merchandise with confidence. They are very thin and will take up less room on your displays than a traditional safer. 

 

Flexible Safers are constructed from three clear, strong and lightweight plastics laminated together to form a strong, yet flexible, composite product. It is extremely easy to use and available in various magnetic strengths to work with the full line of Sensormatic magnetic detachers. They are reusable and will hold up in a busy retail environment.

 

The design is actually very pleasant to look at. In addition to being clear it has green and grey trim. I could easily see them on an endcap with higher dollar merchandise such as batteries or razor blades that a customer wants to compare without having to touch the merchandise. The customer can still pick them up, compare and select the item right for themselves without having staff nearby to help or unlock them.

 

Again, this is not a solve all for every piece of merchandise you carry. Like with any Sensormatic hard tag or label you need to have small quantities of several sizes to fit your needs.

 

Would you like a sample of Flexible Safers or ask questions? Please contact us by calling Loss Prevention Systems at 1-770-426-0547. We are ready to help you have a more profitable year.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Add Value In More Ways Than One With A Sensormatic Security System

February 10, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Stop shoplifting – 4                                                                                                                        WC Blog 732
Sensormatic Security System – 3


Add Value In More Ways Than One With A Sensormatic Security System

     Not long ago I attempted to stop shoplifting of a laptop charging cord that our store sells but I was not able to intervene in time. The suspect was able to remove the cord from the box it was in, close the box back up and put it back on the peghook. The suspect had done all of this before I could get to him to deter the action and he was already on his way out the door. I had reported the incident to the manager on duty and followed company procedures. Unfortunately there was nothing else that could be done at the time. This was the second time I had witnessed a theft or attempted theft of this particular item. When I saw the store manager next I talked to him about the incident. Though the company has specific guidelines on merchandise protection standards I suggested we use an anti-shoplifting device on this product since the store is already equipped with a Sensormatic security system. He agreed and immediately took action to protect the remaining charger. But the discussion we had led to an interesting observation by the store manager. He wondered if Protective devices add a perception of higher value or quality to a product. I had never considered that before.

     I have always looked at a Sensormatic security system as a way to stop shoplifting and to improve shortage results. Just like Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. founder Bill Bregar, I also believe the systems enhance sales by giving customers access to high shortage merchandise that would otherwise be locked up in a display case or stockroom. I also know that Sensormatic labels and tags are a visual deterrent to criminal activity. It had never crossed my mind that a security device or tag could send another message to shoppers. That message being this is a high quality item that is so valuable it has to be secured with anti-theft devices. What an incredible insight! Are you potentially selling more merchandise by using visible protection while at the same time you stop shoplifting? It may not be a totally crazy thought.

     In a document from labelvalue.com titled, “Influence of Packaging on Consumer Behavior “ they reference a study published by the University of Miami and the California Institute of Technology. Quoting the labelvalue.com website, “…packaging has a proven and important impact and influence on the consumer purchasing decision…Researchers proved that aesthetic aspects like color, brightness and typography influences where the shopper’s eyes land on the shelves.” (pg.6). In an article from snowberrymedia.com titled, “How Consumer Perception Influences Buying Decisions”, November 28, 2017, the writer discusses how product packaging can influence shopper perceptions about an item. “Packaging for expensive tech products will usually be sturdy and secure, to reflect the quality of the product.” They also point out that “luxury” items could “…be packaged in black and gold while budget options stick to basic colors like black, white and red.” Using this same line of reasoning it would make sense that a retail anti-theft device on one laptop powercord and the lack of one on a different model next to it could influence a shopper. A customer might easily assume that if one is protected it MUST be better than the other even if that is not necessarily the case.

     Does a Sensormatic tag on merchandise stop shoplifting? The answer is a resounding yes. I have witnessed the deterrent effect of tags and labels on products and I have recovered merchandise when tags set off a Sensormatic security system. Devices influence thieves. Do they also influence customers to purchase items with retail anti-theft devices on them? That I cannot definitely answer. We have seen that packaging can make things appear more valuable. But I think after reflecting on it my Store Manager may have hit on something. Sensormatic tags may be giving your store an unintended perception of value in the eyes of your customers. So what are you waiting for? Get tagging today!

  Get more information on Sensormatic security systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547     

Not long ago I attempted to stop shoplifting of a laptop charging cord that our store sells but I was not able to intervene in time. The suspect was able to remove the cord from the box it was in, close the box back up and put it back on the peghook. The suspect had done all of this before I could get to him to deter the action and he was already on his way out the door. I had reported the incident to the manager on duty and followed company procedures. Unfortunately there was nothing else that could be done at the time. This was the second time I had witnessed a theft or attempted theft of this particular item. When I saw the store manager next I talked to him about the incident. Though the company has specific guidelines on merchandise protection standards I suggested we use an anti-shoplifting device on this product since the store is already equipped with a Sensormatic security system. He agreed and immediately took action to protect the remaining charger. But the discussion we had led to an interesting observation by the store manager. He wondered if Protective devices add a perception of higher value or quality to a product. I had never considered that before.
     

I have always looked at a Sensormatic security system as a way to stop shoplifting and to improve shortage results. Just like Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. founder Bill Bregar, I also believe the systems enhance sales by giving customers access to high shortage merchandise that would otherwise be locked up in a display case or stockroom. I also know that Sensormatic labels and tags are a visual deterrent to criminal activity. It had never crossed my mind that a security device or tag could send another message to shoppers. That message being this is a high quality item that is so valuable it has to be secured with anti-theft devices. What an incredible insight! Are you potentially selling more merchandise by using visible protection while at the same time you stop shoplifting? It may not be a totally crazy thought.
     

In a document from labelvalue.com titled, “Influence of Packaging on Consumer Behavior “ they reference a study published by the University of Miami and the California Institute of Technology. Quoting the labelvalue.com website, “…packaging has a proven and important impact and influence on the consumer purchasing decision…Researchers proved that aesthetic aspects like color, brightness and typography influences where the shopper’s eyes land on the shelves.” (pg.6). In an article from snowberrymedia.com titled, “How Consumer Perception Influences Buying Decisions”, November 28, 2017, the writer discusses how product packaging can influence shopper perceptions about an item. “Packaging for expensive tech products will usually be sturdy and secure, to reflect the quality of the product.” They also point out that “luxury” items could “…be packaged in black and gold while budget options stick to basic colors like black, white and red.” Using this same line of reasoning it would make sense that a retail anti-theft device on one laptop powercord and the lack of one on a different model next to it could influence a shopper. A customer might easily assume that if one is protected it MUST be better than the other even if that is not necessarily the case.
     

Does a Sensormatic tag on merchandise stop shoplifting? The answer is a resounding yes. I have witnessed the deterrent effect of tags and labels on products and I have recovered merchandise when tags set off a Sensormatic security system. Devices influence thieves. Do they also influence customers to purchase items with retail anti-theft devices on them? That I cannot definitely answer. We have seen that packaging can make things appear more valuable. But I think after reflecting on it my Store Manager may have hit on something. Sensormatic tags may be giving your store an unintended perception of value in the eyes of your customers. So what are you waiting for? Get tagging today!
 

Get more information on Sensormatic security systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547     

 

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: ,

Benefits of a Loss Prevention System

February 6, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Most retailers in the United States end their fiscal year on December 31st. and begin the New year with a new budget, new goals, and new strategies to implement in their business.  

For the loss prevention team or management of the store, allocating sufficient funds to the prevention of shoplifting and security of their store begins anew.  If a store has not purchase a loss prevention system and the losses of the store are too many to ignore, the new year allows them to budget and purchase a system that will help them minimize their losses and prevent them from happening in the future.

Research has shown the budget for the prevention of shoplifting and loss prevention teams have been declining over the years with no plans to change it, while the problems associated with shoplifting, employee theft, internal clerical issues and lost merchandise continue to grow.  Every retail store has different problems associated with them, but shoplifting is a problem that is common for every one of them. 

Allocating enough funds to the prevention of theft in your store is vital. According to research purchasing a loss prevention system to help you minimize the losses in your store will return your investment within months. Reduction in merchandise losses, increase productivity, personnel reduction, and an increase in sales are some of the benefits associated with the purchase of a loss prevention system that will see more profits going to you.

Finding out what kind of loss prevention system your store requires will need the help of a seller that understands systems, training and prices. 

An EAS system can give the store an up to the minute understanding of what merchandise is in the store, what items have been sold, and what merchandise is missing. These systems can let you know up to the minute information about your store without having to do a physical count every time you need to know something about a specific item.  With an EAS or a point-of-sale (POS) system, information about the merchandise in your store is within your grasp within minutes.

Investing in technology that can help your management and loss prevention teams work effectively while minimizing cost will help your store succeed.  These systems not only offer help in deterring shoplifting but help you meet the needs of customers and their shopping habits.

Preventing shoplifting in your store with a loss prevention system is key to your success.

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Clothing Security For The Real World

February 3, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Clothing Security For The Real World

How do we provide clothing security in an effective, cost conscious manner? It is not enough to train your employees and put Sensormatic tags on your merchandise, if it is more expensive in labor and hardware than the losses themselves. Here are the things you should consider before you do anything.
First, what is the real cost to your losses. If you lose a $100 item you have only lost $100, right? No you have actually lost much more. Here is the way you calculate that. Take the item at retail cost, in this case $100 and divide it by your profit margin. To keep it simple I will use the average, overall profit margin which is 2%. So, $100 divided by 0.02 = $5000. Yes that is FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS for a $100 item stolen. Because you will have to sell an ADDITIONAL $5k to break even on that $100 loss. AND that is not to make money it is only to break even. If you lose $100 every other day, well, you do the math. This is not just someone else’s problem it is your world also!
Next, how do we make clothing security cost effective? A clothing alarm such as a Sensormatic system can be expensive, however, if that is what your impression is then it is time to take a real look into the world of Sensormatic. There are very cost friendly systems available. But, more importantly you must have a reliable system that will cause you few problems. Sensormatic systems are a commercial grade and are meant to stand up to the rigors of challenging retail environments. Sensormatic systems’ Acousto Magnetic (AM) technology is over 50 years old. It is in most of the top retailers in the world. AM systems operate 24/7 with very few of the false alarms that other systems have. That is key because if you and your staff experience false alarms on a regular basis, then you will eventually have less trust in the system.
With clothing security we also have to consider what merchandise we need to protect. Many of our customers tell us they “want to protect everything”. Although, in some cases that is necessary, however, in most cases it is not realistic or needed. We need to take the emotion out of this equation. The Sensormatic tags are pretty inexpensive but the labor to put clothing security tags on every piece of merchandise could be costly in labor. 
What you should consider is putting clothing security tags on approximately 20% of your merchandise that is causing approximately 80% of your losses. Clothing security tags on this amount of goods will tend to send the shoplifters down the street. Some determined shoplifters will look at stealing other items in your store. You will then identify those items and place Sensormatic tags on them also. At this point, if you maintain your tagging program most of your losses will go away.
You and your staff will need to be trained in how to respond to clothing alarms however, we take care of that for you. Our approach to clothing alarms is customer service based. This solves a number of problems including customer errors such as Sensormatic tags or labels from another retailer on merchandise they bring into your store causing an alarm. And errors on the part of your store’ staff. This could include failing to remove Sensormatic tags at checkout and Sensormatic tags on merchandise placed too close to the system at your doors.
Loss Prevention Systems will not just train you how to respond to a clothing alarm but how to identify and discourage a potential shoplifter while providing great customer service to your good customers.
For more information on Sensormatic systems, Sensormatic tags, clothing alarms and clothing security contact us today or call toll free 1-770-426-0547. Together we can solve your shoplifting problems once and for all.

How do we provide clothing security in an effective, cost conscious manner? It is not enough to train your employees and put Sensormatic tags on your merchandise, if it is more expensive in labor and hardware than the losses themselves. Here are the things you should consider before you do anything.

 

First, what is the real cost to your losses. If you lose a $100 item you have only lost $100, right? No you have actually lost much more. Here is the way you calculate that. Take the item at retail cost, in this case $100 and divide it by your profit margin. To keep it simple I will use the average, overall profit margin which is 2%. So, $100 divided by 0.02 = $5000. Yes that is FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS for a $100 item stolen. Because you will have to sell an ADDITIONAL $5k to break even on that $100 loss. AND that is not to make money it is only to break even. If you lose $100 every other day, well, you do the math. This is not just someone else’s problem it is your world also!

 

Next, how do we make clothing security cost effective? A clothing alarm such as a Sensormatic system can be expensive, however, if that is what your impression is then it is time to take a real look into the world of Sensormatic. There are very cost friendly systems available. But, more importantly you must have a reliable system that will cause you few problems. Sensormatic systems are a commercial grade and are meant to stand up to the rigors of challenging retail environments. Sensormatic systems’ Acousto Magnetic (AM) technology is over 50 years old. It is in most of the top retailers in the world. AM systems operate 24/7 with very few of the false alarms that other systems have. That is key because if you and your staff experience false alarms on a regular basis, then you will eventually have less trust in the system.

 

With clothing security we also have to consider what merchandise we need to protect. Many of our customers tell us they “want to protect everything”. Although, in some cases that is necessary, however, in most cases it is not realistic or needed. We need to take the emotion out of this equation. The Sensormatic tags are pretty inexpensive but the labor to put clothing security tags on every piece of merchandise could be costly in labor. 

 

What you should consider is putting clothing security tags on approximately 20% of your merchandise that is causing approximately 80% of your losses. Clothing security tags on this amount of goods will tend to send the shoplifters down the street. Some determined shoplifters will look at stealing other items in your store. You will then identify those items and place Sensormatic tags on them also. At this point, if you maintain your tagging program most of your losses will go away.

 

You and your staff will need to be trained in how to respond to clothing alarms however, we take care of that for you. Our approach to clothing alarms is customer service based. This solves a number of problems including customer errors such as Sensormatic tags or labels from another retailer on merchandise they bring into your store causing an alarm. And errors on the part of your store’ staff. This could include failing to remove Sensormatic tags at checkout and Sensormatic tags on merchandise placed too close to the system at your doors.

 

Loss Prevention Systems will not just train you how to respond to a clothing alarm but how to identify and discourage a potential shoplifter while providing great customer service to your good customers.

 

For more information on Sensormatic systems, Sensormatic tags, clothing alarms and clothing security contact us today or call toll free 1-770-426-0547. Together we can solve your shoplifting problems once and for all.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Sensormatic Systems Value

January 31, 2019 by Leave a Comment

We just came back from a trip to Sensormatic Systems Head-Quarters in Boca Raton, Florida. What a fascinating, interesting and eye-opening experience. As anti-shoplifting systems are concerned, we clearly left with the knowledge that Sensormatic is the top of the line for value and quality. I have been in the field of Loss Prevention for over 35 years (I hate saying that, it makes me feel …. old). I rose to the top in a number of fine retail companies as the Director of Loss Prevention. I have had my own company now for many years. So, I have bought these systems as a Director and I now have the privilege of being a premier nationwide Sensormatic Dealer. For many years we sold another top brand. But it is very clear to me why Sensormatic is the world-wide leader. Let me throw out a few conclusions for you. 

Sensormatic invests a huge amount of money into testing. Not just making sure that systems ring the bell and flash the light. Testing is extensive. Research laboratories are used by Sensormatic Engineers to take something from an idea to a finished product. It starts with a team in design. They look at style and how it will impact the Retailer and their customers. Ergonomics are tested thoroughly. It is important that a retail employee can use a hand-held device for long periods of time with minimal fatigue. Drop tests are performed with high speed cameras to determine if devices will properly survive a fall with minimal damage and a low risk to the people around it. Stress tests are conducted on antenna systems to see how they will react to being bent until broken. Do the systems splinter? Does the electronics spark? 

Sensormatic is a massive company that operates on every continent, okay, well maybe not Antarctica.  Sensormatic Systems is part of Johnson Controls. And if you have not been hiding under a rock all your life know that Johnson Controls is one of the largest companies in the world with a serious reputation for quality and service in many fields. The Sensormatic division has that behind it. 

That is in addition to the testing of the antenna systems for detection of tags and labels. Sensormatic systems are tested and certified safe by the main testing agencies in the various countries all over the world. For example, in the United States Sensormatic systems are UL Certified among others. 

Sensormatic security systems are not going to be the cheapest. But it is like anything else you get what you pay for. However, the value runs deeper than just the highest quality commercial grade equipment that is made to last a very long time. These Acousto Magnetic (AM) systems perform much better than the competition for the price and much better than Radio Frequency (RF) systems. RF systems are very prone to false or phantom (no one nearby the system) alarms. Acousto Magnetic does not have that problem. This technology operates on a different frequency that is less prone to issues. Because of that we can easily get an 8 foot isle width. The very best RF can do is 6 feet.  

Acousto Magnetic technology has been around for over fifty years. It is proven and stable. Sensormatic brand hard tags and labels are very robust. The hard tags have clean, well “welded” seams that will not snag clothing. The genuine Sensormatic labels outperform any knock offs in both range and deactivation. Sensormatic security system deactivation performs at a very high level. When your cash/wrap associate kills the labels, it stays dead.  

So, the real question now is this: Are you going to go through all of the coming up year and again lose money, watching it walk out the door with shoplifters? Or are you going to fix the problem once and for all? Loss Prevention Systems’ proven process will significantly reduce your losses? All you have left to do now is contact us. 

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Proper EAS Tagging Tips For Retailers

January 31, 2019 by Leave a Comment

There’s no question about it electronic article surveillance (EAS) retail anti-theft devices work in every store they are used in. In fact they are so effective that according to the Sensormatic Global Retail Shrink Index, EAS is the most popular Loss Prevention and Asset Protection investment among retailers in the United States. 92.16% of retailers surveyed indicated they are investing in electronic article surveillance (pg. 45). Is it enough that EAS tags are used or is there more to making them an effective tool? 

     In order to get the most out of an electronic article surveillance system tags retailers should ensure they have effective tagging guidelines in place. It may not seem like it would make a big difference at first glance but the reality is a proper tagging program can make a theft prevention program stronger. Here is are some suggestions to consider as a guideline of where you should tag your merchandise: 

  • Keep visibility in mind. While hiding tags may seem like a good idea at first it can cause some problems for the retailer rather than a thief. Hidden hard tags may not be seen by a cashier and removed when a piece of clothing is purchased. That can cause an unnecessary EAS tower alarm and an embarrassing moment for your patron. A similar problem can occur with an EAS label if it is hidden. It may not deactivate properly at the point of sale and cause a false alarm. 
  • Location of tags is important to prevent concealment by a shoplifter. If a pair of pants is protected with a hard tag on the waistline it is not difficult to untuck a shirt and hide it. Keeping the placement where the tags are hard to cover improves the deterrent effect of the devices. 
  • Another thing to avoid is placing soft tags or labels on manufacturer hang tags if possible. I encourage retailers to place labels directly on merchandise packaging. For example a Sensormatic label is difficult to remove from a box of razor blades but if it is on a hang tag on a shirt sleeve a crook can pop the hang tag off and the label goes with it.  

So what do I suggest when it comes to tag placement? Here a few suggestions that I have found to be effective: 

  • When tagging pant or slacks a hard tag can be pinned through a seam near the knee. If that is a bit more work than you want to do, the next best solution would be a couple of inches above the cuff. Both solutions make it difficult to hide the tag and if the location is consistent on every pair of pants cahiers will be accustomed to looking for hard tags in the same place every time. 
  • If your store sells shoes people are going to want to try them on. I suggest tagging them through an eyelet. If there is no place to that a hard tag can be attached the next best solution would be a label on the bottom of the shoe. Tag both shoes as an extra precaution against shoplifting. 
  • Shirts should be tagged near the front of the neckline. The next best option would be the cuff of the shirt sleeve. The point is to keep the tags in as visible a location as possible. The problem with a cuff versus a neckline is that a cuff can be upturned and a tag hidden. Also when a tag is placed too close to the end of a cuff it is easier to make a small cut in the garment to remove a tag and repair it with a stitch or two. 
  •  Purses can be protected with a hard tag. If you are tagging purses the key to doing so efficiently and reducing customer distractions is to tag them as closely as possible to one place for all bags. Wallets may have an EAS label hidden inside because they are more difficult to tag with a hard tag. If this is the case for your store make sure cashiers are all aware of this and carefully placing the merchandise on the deactivation pads at checkout. 

These are the most common items of clothing and softlines merchandise to be protected. Hopefully the message you are reading is that the consistency of a tagging program is what matters. Do it properly and you will have minimal false alarms and customer distractions and the alarms that do go off will be real attempts to steal. When supervisors and employees respond to real alarms and fewer false alarms they will be more thorough in their receipt checks. That will result in more recovered dollars and less shortage for you. 

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How Does Your Leadership Style Impact Your Store?

January 31, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Leadership. It varies from person to person and company to company. As a business owner how you lead your team impacts the overall health and prosperity of your store. Does your team work for you and follow direction out of a feeling of obligation or fear? Do your employees do what they are told to do because of a concern that failing to do so could result in the loss of their job? If this is the feeling of the store associates they may not be doing more than the minimum to get their jobs done. This affects customer service and how employees interact with patrons. Poor service results in poor sales and inefficiency in operations. Leadership is as important as customer service and I would argue the two go hand in hand. I cannot think of a customer service driven business where the delivery of customer service thrived when the managers were loud, bossy or came across as distant.  

     Personally I have attempted to incorporate in my own management style a mix of a couple leadership influences. One is advocated by John Maxwell. The first book of his I read was, “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”. In his book he lays out what he describes as 21 principles that apply to leaders. There were a couple of his points that I made a conscious effort to apply (some were already an integral part of who I am) when I was leading my Loss Prevention team, my freight unload/ stocking team and as a Manager on Duty. Two of the characteristics Mr. Maxwell lists, “The Law of Solid Ground” and “The Law of Empowerment” are dimensions I believe can make a major shift in how a store team functions. The first idea is that people have to trust their leader. As a leader do you follow through on commitments to your team? Do you treat every person equally and fairly and do you provide honest feedback even when it may be difficult? The second is that strong leaders are not afraid to give power to others. As you empower your team to make decisions you build their trust in you and you are developing them into leaders. This means you train your team, set expectations and as they are learning, you correct and provide recognition to them.  

     Another leadership style I embrace is servant leadership. This manager is the leader who leads by the example he/she sets. It is also a manager who invests in the development of others. I have incorporated this in the course of my careers. Rather than ask a team member to clean up after a child has been sick in the store I have done it myself. As a freight team manager I frequently came in on a day off to help my team unload a truck and push freight. It is the willingness of the leader to be seen doing the unpleasant tasks alongside the rest of the team. A 70 foot trailer gets awfully hot and humid in the south during the summer. When your team sees you willing to get in that trailer first and rotate others out to avoid exhaustion they are willing to work harder to get the tasks done. Servant leadership does not mean supervision does not take place or that discipline is not occurring. It only means that the manager/supervisor attempts to be empathetic to situations where discipline may be required. These leaders do not allow themselves to be doormats but do look at individual circumstances when the situation warrants it. Think about how an employee is likely to respond to this manager as opposed to the heavy-handed supervisor who gives orders and barks directions.  

     Leadership styles directly influence the way a business operates and how employees function on the job. Yes, you can be the owner and expect workers to do what you tell them to do, but it won’t foster a happy workforce. A leader who cares about the staff helps in their development and empowers them to make decisions will get far better results than the other leader. As customer service improves, productivity improves and the atmosphere of the building is one where shoppers enjoy spending time. It also creates a customer-focused climate where sales associates are actively engaging clients and that leads to a reduction in theft. Happy employees are also less likely to steal and that can impact up to 30% of where shortage traditionally takes place. 

     Evaluate your leadership style. Are you leading the way YOU would want to be led and are there adjustments you can make that can enhance nearly every aspect of your business? Leadership determines how successful your store can be. 

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An Attitude Of Service Or Just An Attitude? Attitudes Affect Customer Service

January 31, 2019 by Leave a Comment

This is going to seem a bit odd to some of you but I want to know if you have an attitude? Store owners, do you have an attitude? Store Managers, do you have an attitude? Has anyone taken a look at the attitude of their employees? EVERYONE has an attitude, the statement isn’t necessarily a negative it can be positive. The problem is we have grown accustomed to thinking of it with a negative connotation. Why is that? Because in some form or fashion we have adopted the idea that an “attitude” shows our independence or ability to be self-reliant regardless of what others think. At times it can be very course and abrasive to others. If that is your “attitude” how does that relate to your customers, or those who work for you? I would like you to consider for a moment that an “attitude” may look more like a chip-on-the shoulder than some sort of independence (in some cases if looks like a boulder more than a chip).

     An owner with a poor attitude makes the job more difficult for the managers who work for her or him. The “I’m the boss” temperament may be unstated but if that is how an owner thinks it can reflect into how they give direction and interact with their managers. It frequently means that no one else can have a better way of doing things and leads to a stale operation. I will also tell you that the negative attitude rolls downhill.  The way you interact with your managers will be reflected in how they interact with the store associates and they, in turn, have attitudes with the customers. I have seen it in action and I can tell you I have experienced it and have allowed it to impact my interactions with my team in spite of my best intentions. By the end of a workday, everyone leaves in a grouchy mood. 

     The attitude of the owner affects the attitude of the managers has a direct impact on your customers who don’t have to shop at your store. I happen to work for a company that has two stores in the immediate area. On more than one occasion we have heard comments from customers that they don’t like to go to the other store. They tell us the customer service is poor and the employees are not friendly. On the other hand the manager of the store where I work makes a point of telling the managers they are to do whatever they can to keep customers happy (within reason and without violating policies). Employees may get busy but they enjoy working for this manager. The atmosphere is welcoming and we make every effort to greet our customers and offer assistance when they walk into the building. I have gone into the other store and the climate is different. If a greeting is offered it is more of an obligatory hello that a genuine one.  

     What is the climate in your store? What do your managers and employees think about your management style? If you aren’t concerned think again. If your store employees are providing poor customer service to customers because of the treatment they receive it as a direct impact on sales and a direct impact on theft prevention. Shoplifters who have been interviewed have said that they target those stores where employees are unhappy. They don’t have to worry about someone trying to give them too much attention. If shoplifters aren’t receiving service, neither are your customers and that means no one is trying to sell let alone up-sell for a store. 

     Customer service starts with leadership. When the management team seeks to make the climate one where employees enjoy coming to work that attitude will be reflected in the interactions between workers and customers. Owners and managers cannot assume the team is happy. Truly anonymous employee surveys will help gauge what employees are thinking. They can also be a tool for seeking ideas about what employees might want to see done differently or an outlet for ways to improve. Happy employees make a world of difference. What is the climate in your world? Is everything great or is an attitude adjustment in order? 

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Using Sensormatic Hard Tags

January 26, 2019 by Leave a Comment

 

Using Sensormatic Hard Tags
Using your Sensormatic hard tags to stop apparel shoplifting is the clear and established way to attack the scourge of shoplifting. But many Retailers believe that one size fits all. Not true. You may find that you need a selection of several types of Sensormatic hard tags instead of just one. 
The same tag you would place on a heavy coat is not necessarily a good choice for swimwear or lingerie and visa-versa. Sensormatic hard tags that are designed for lighter fabrics may not have the ability to be placed on heavier fabrics. 
Another consideration is Sensormatic tag placement. It is important that your store places hard tags in consistent locations. This is critical for staff at the cash/wrap. A Cashier that has to search for a tag will slow down the customer experience and may result in a Sensormatic security tag being missed. This will lead to an alarm at the exit and a customer that is less than happy. To avoid this, tag in a consistent location known to all. For example, you may decide to tag all shirts on the rear seam of shirts below the collar. This is not only an easy location but it is also out of the customer’s way when they are trying on the shirt. On jeans you may want to place Sensormatic security tags on the outside seam of the right leg. It could be at knee level or at the ankle always on the right leg vs left. Sensormatic tags should always be placed with the tag on the outside of the garment with the pin on the inside. Again, this will help Cashiers quickly locate a Sensormatic tag.
Pins are another item that you may want in several types;  longer pins may be needed for thick fabric. But that same pin used on a thin fabric may result in the pin not fully seating in the Sensormatic tag. Some pins have serrated shafts to allow the Sensormatic tag clutch to more securely hold the pin. However, serrated pins are not a good choice for delicate fabrics as they may snag, ruining the merchandise.
The length of the pin is only one consideration. The head of the pin is also something you should pay attention to. Most pins are about half the size of a dime. This could allow a thief to simply stretch the fabric of a swimsuit over the pin with little or no damage. We have pins that have large heads that are about the size of a silver dollar. This type of pin is usually matched to a specific Sensormatic security tag.
There is also a choice with magnetic Sensormatic hard tags. This one is clutch strength. There are two overall choices. 5kG (standard) or 9kG (super). We strongly recommend that you only use 9kG hard tags. The clutch strength is very hard to defeat by a shoplifter. 5kG tags which will look identical are easily defeated by shoplifters with easily obtained and concealable tools. Many Sensormatic security tags come in both strengths. 
There is another choice in magnetic hard tag clutches. That is “S3” or the Commander detacher. This takes the clutch up even another notch. Loss Prevention Systems carries this line and it is extremely hard to defeat. Hard tags are available in both AM and RF versions.
One more area of Sensormatic hard tags worth mentioning are the alarming tags. These Sensormatic tags have a sounder built into the tag itself. If a shoplifter attempts to remove the hard tag, the built-in sounder goes into alarm. These are available in both 2-tone and 3-tone models. Both models will cause the Sensormatic system at the customer exit to go into alarm. However, the built-in sounder in the 3 tone will also go into alarm when the Sensormatic system does. This makes it very easy for the Retailer to locate the stolen merchandise, if it is hidden on the shoplifter.
Get more information on Sensormatic hard tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Using your Sensormatic hard tags to stop apparel shoplifting is the clear and established way to attack the scourge of shoplifting. But many Retailers believe that one size fits all. Not true. You may find that you need a selection of several types of Sensormatic hard tags instead of just one. 

 

The same tag you would place on a heavy coat is not necessarily a good choice for swimwear or lingerie and visa-versa. Sensormatic hard tags that are designed for lighter fabrics may not have the ability to be placed on heavier fabrics. 

 

Another consideration is Sensormatic tag placement. It is important that your store places hard tags in consistent locations. This is critical for staff at the cash/wrap. A Cashier that has to search for a tag will slow down the customer experience and may result in a Sensormatic security tag being missed. This will lead to an alarm at the exit and a customer that is less than happy. To avoid this, tag in a consistent location known to all. For example, you may decide to tag all shirts on the rear seam of shirts below the collar. This is not only an easy location but it is also out of the customer’s way when they are trying on the shirt. On jeans you may want to place Sensormatic security tags on the outside seam of the right leg. It could be at knee level or at the ankle always on the right leg vs left. Sensormatic tags should always be placed with the tag on the outside of the garment with the pin on the inside. Again, this will help Cashiers quickly locate a Sensormatic tag.

 

Pins are another item that you may want in several types;  longer pins may be needed for thick fabric. But that same pin used on a thin fabric may result in the pin not fully seating in the Sensormatic tag. Some pins have serrated shafts to allow the Sensormatic tag clutch to more securely hold the pin. However, serrated pins are not a good choice for delicate fabrics as they may snag, ruining the merchandise.

 

The length of the pin is only one consideration. The head of the pin is also something you should pay attention to. Most pins are about half the size of a dime. This could allow a thief to simply stretch the fabric of a swimsuit over the pin with little or no damage. We have pins that have large heads that are about the size of a silver dollar. This type of pin is usually matched to a specific Sensormatic security tag.

 

There is also a choice with magnetic Sensormatic hard tags. This one is clutch strength. There are two overall choices. 5kG (standard) or 9kG (super). We strongly recommend that you only use 9kG hard tags. The clutch strength is very hard to defeat by a shoplifter. 5kG tags which will look identical are easily defeated by shoplifters with easily obtained and concealable tools. Many Sensormatic security tags come in both strengths. 

 

There is another choice in magnetic hard tag clutches. That is “S3” or the Commander detacher. This takes the clutch up even another notch. Loss Prevention Systems carries this line and it is extremely hard to defeat. Hard tags are available in both AM and RF versions.

 

One more area of Sensormatic hard tags worth mentioning are the alarming tags. These Sensormatic tags have a sounder built into the tag itself. If a shoplifter attempts to remove the hard tag, the built-in sounder goes into alarm. These are available in both 2-tone and 3-tone models. Both models will cause the Sensormatic system at the customer exit to go into alarm. However, the built-in sounder in the 3 tone will also go into alarm when the Sensormatic system does. This makes it very easy for the Retailer to locate the stolen merchandise, if it is hidden on the shoplifter.

 

Get more information on Sensormatic hard tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

 

 

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