Is Your Store Doing Racial Profiling and Is That Lawful?

June 25, 2015 by Leave a Comment

theft (8)

According to the Civilrights.org website “The U.S. Supreme Court has held that racial profiling violates the constitutional requirement that all persons be accorded equal protection of the law.19  Recently, many lawsuits  that have captured the attention of the public involves lawsuits where not only the accused shoplifters , but employees of these retail stores have cited racial profiling against these giants.  Follow more news about this topic by following the links below.

Fashion Chain Zara Profiles Black Shoppers As Potential Thieves, Workers Allege In Report

In early June, Spanish fast fashion chain Zara hit headlines when the longtime in-house lawyer for their American stores sued for $40 million in damages, alleging anti-Semitic, anti-gay discrimination.

Zara called their former counsel’s allegations “shocking,” adding that the company intends to “respond strongly and vigorously” in court.

A report released on Monday suggests the clothier may have deeper troubles, starting with a corporate culture steeped in racism.

Labor advocacy group Center for Popular Democracy surveyed Zara retail employees at six of the chain’s seven New York City stores this past spring following a handful of scandals involving insensitive designs by the fashion company, like a child’s shirt that resembled a Holocaust uniform.

CVS Lawsuit: Security Profiled Minorities for Anti-Shoplifting

CVS was hit with a federal lawsuit on Wednesday after four former store detectives at the drug chain charged their supervisors told them to profile minorities for anti-shoplifting enforcement.

The store detectives, who are also minorities, argued in their lawsuit that they endured racially insulting language and had clear instructions from their bosses to keep an eye on blacks and Hispanics because they were the ones most likely to steal, according to Newsday.

The detectives charged that when they pushed back against the profiling orders they were all fired, they claimed in their suit.

“CVS intentionally targets and racially profiles its Black and Hispanic shoppers based on the highly offensive, discriminatory and ill-founded institutional belief that these minority customers are criminals and thieves,” lawyers for former store detectives stated in their suit.

 

Natick judge to Macy’s: Stop collecting shoplifting fines

A Natick District Court judge told a lawyer from Macy’s he planned to issue an injunction banning the store from collecting fines from shoplifting suspects, but said he expects Macy’s to ignore the court order.

Judge Douglas Stoddart said Macy’s policy to collect a $500 fine from alleged shoplifters is “ethically wrong.”

“We’re heading into uncharted waters, legally, and I think it needs to be heard by a higher court,” Stoddart told the store’s lawyer, Daniel Field.

In March, Stoddart held a hearing to discuss Macy’s policy. Currently, if suspected shoplifters are caught they are brought into a security office, and told they can pay a $500 fine instead of being sued civilly for the money. However, payment of the $500 does not preclude their arrest. Several people have told Stoddart over the years they were told if they paid the money they wouldn’t be arrested, but still were.

Filed Under: Shoplifting Prevention Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Shoplifting Statistics And Apprehensions 2014

June 18, 2015 by Leave a Comment

shoplifting1

The losses big retailers like Wal-Mart faces every year are astronomical.  The losses though are not absorbed by these big retailers, the losses are then passed to the consumer like you and me by paying higher prices in their store.  Shoplifting is a crime that affects everyone.  Some big businesses like Wal-Mart can deal with their losses.  Shoplifting  for small businesses can mean closing their doors for good.  Is your store dealing with shoplifting or employee theft?  Is it working?  Read more about this topic by following the links below.

27th Annual Retail Theft Survey Reports over 1.2 Million Shoplifters and Dishonest Employees Are Apprehended by Just 25 Large U.S. Retailers in 2014

Wesley Chapel, Fla. — More than1.2 million shoplifters and dishonest employees were apprehended in 2014 by just 25 large retailers who recovered over $225 million from these thieves, according to the 27th Annual Retail Theft Survey conducted by loss prevention and inventory shrinkage control consulting firm Jack L. Hayes International. The participants were made up 25 large retail companies with 23,250 stores and over $700 billion in retail sales (2014).

“In 2014, the number of apprehensions and recovery dollars were up again for both shoplifters and dishonest employees. Shoplifting apprehensions rose 7.4%, while dishonest employee apprehensions rose 1.7%. The dollars recovered from apprehended shoplifters and dishonest employees also rose, 7.5% and 18.1% respectively,” said Mark R. Doyle, president of Jack L. Hayes International.

The increases, follow similar increases reported the previous three years.

Highlights from annual theft survey include:

• Apprehensions: 1,272,560 shoplifters and dishonest employees were apprehended in 2014, up 7.1% from 2013.

• Recovery dollars: Over $225 million was recovered from apprehended shoplifters and dishonest employees in 2014, up 10.4% from 2013.

• 1,192,194 shoplifters were apprehended in 2014, up 7.4% from 2013.

Here’s How Much Walmart Loses Every Year to Theft

Walmart is fighting back against “unknown shrinkage”

When you’re a company as big as Walmart, everything about you is huge, even your losses from shoplifting.

The retailing giant says that it loses about $3 billion every year from theft, or 1% of its $300 billion in revenue, Reuters reports.

Leading the effort to fight back against this so-called “shrinkage” is Greg Foran, head U.S. operations, who told reporters Thursday that cutting down on these loses was a key priority for the firm in coming months.

“One percent of $300 billion is quite a lot of money. If you can save 10 basis points of it – boy I’ll take it every day of the week and put it into lower prices for customers,” Foran said to Reuters.

6 Ways Small Businesses Can Effectively (and Cheaply) Prevent Shoplifting

Shoplifting remains a constant issue for American small businesses, leading to losses of over $10 billion each year. According to the Loss Prevention Research Council, 1 out of 11 customers is a habitual shoplifter (repeat offender!). Small businesses have slim profit margins, which means that “shrinkage” (reduced inventory to shoplifting and thefts) can really put immense pressure on their ability to stay afloat. Some of the fastest growing and most successful brands out there have recently employed innovative tactics to discourage shoplifting, largely harnessing the power of consumer psychology. Check out 6 of their most successful tactics, that any small business can easily, and cheaply, start using to discourage and prevent shoplifting!

1. Strategic Checkouts
Place your checkout registers near the front door to dramatically reduce the likelihood of a shoplifter. Most shoplifters prefer to enter the store and then make a quick exit, without passing by an employees. Having customers come in near your employees will also provide your staff with the opportunity to greet new customers, a big plus for customer service and yet another major deterrent of shoplifting. One of the most successful new techniques was introduced by Apple stores — make your registers mobile, on tablets or “phablets.” Have your employees roaming the store, and check-out people right where they encounter them. This tactic has already been adopted by many nationwide retailers as a quick and easy way to dramatically reduce their shrinkage.

Filed Under: Shoplifting Prevention Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Convenience Of Bottle Locks In The Convenience Store

June 17, 2015 by Leave a Comment
I have spoken to many current and former convenience store employees and the consensus seems that one of the biggest theft drivers is people running out with beer and wine.  There is definitely an opportunity for improvement in this category.  Traditionally you would expect to see Bottle Locks on all the high retail wines and premium liquors in package stores, but they could also make a big impact on the frequently targeted malt beverages in the coolers of convenience stores.  
Generally you do not see a lot of product protection tools being utilized in this market.  The novelty items are kept on or near the checkout counter.  Sometimes the counters are so cluttered with specialty lighters, phone cases, chargers, and other gadgets it can be difficult to see exactly where to go to make your purchases.  Keeping these items close keeps the clerks attention on them, and visible even when there are multiple customers in the store.  But the beer and low retail malts are usually near the back of the store, and when they are just sitting there with no deterrents, like Bottle Locks, they are simply a challenge to the creative and determined thief.  If you have a suspicious person in the store when there are a lot of other shoppers, it is hard to monitor their activity.  If the products are kept in a reach-in cooler, the person can just walk around a bit, and then conceal the bottle in their clothing or a large purse as soon as the clerk gets distracted.  It is even harder in the case of the walk-in beer cave.   Most times the clerk is on duty solo, so they cannot just leave the counter and escort every customer into the walk-in.  It is a neat idea; let the customer walk in and choose a cold beverage.  Unfortunately it is also the perfect opportunity for the unscrupulous customer.
My husband used to work the night shift at a local convenience store, and he hated dealing with the guys that walked around the neighborhood or hung around the parking lot all hours of the night.  Many were just waiting for the chance to dart in and run out with a single stolen bottle.  The big 40 ounce bottles of beer and the cheap wines were constantly being stolen.  
That was the 90’s.  In today’s world, this is still happening, but there are solutions on the market.  Checkpoint has introduced the new N-10 model, which is a slim profile theft detection system that is perfect for the limited space available in a convenience store.  Add Bottle Locks to the most targeted beverages, and you have a winning combination.  These tough tools fit tightly over the lids of almost any size bottle.  They are quickly and easily removed by the clerk at the time of purchase.  They are tough and totally reusable.  They can also self alarm if there is an attempt to tamper with or remove them without the proper tool.  Statistically speaking, the glass will break before the Bottle Lock will come off if there is a successful theft.  
If you are the owner or manager of a convenience store and you are fed up with external theft, it is time to take a look at what these tools can do for you.
For more information contact us: 1.770.426.0547 or Bottle-Services.net

I have spoken to many current and former convenience store employees and the consensus seems that one of the biggest theft drivers is people running out with beer and wine.  There is definitely an opportunity for improvement in this category.  Traditionally you would expect to see Alpha Bottle Locks on all the high retail wines and premium liquors in package stores, but they could also make a big impact on the frequently targeted malt beverages in the coolers of convenience stores.  

Generally you do not see a lot of product protection tools being utilized in this market.  The novelty items are kept on or near the checkout counter.  Sometimes the counters are so cluttered with specialty lighters, phone cases, chargers, and other gadgets it can be difficult to see exactly where to go to make your purchases.  Keeping these items close keeps the clerks attention on them, and visible even when there are multiple customers in the store.  But the beer and low retail malts are usually near the back of the store, and when they are just sitting there with no deterrents, like Alpha Bottle Locks, they are simply a challenge to the creative and determined thief.  If you have a suspicious person in the store when there are a lot of other shoppers, it is hard to monitor their activity.  If the products are kept in a reach-in cooler, the person can just walk around a bit, and then conceal the bottle in their clothing or a large purse as soon as the clerk gets distracted.  It is even harder in the case of the walk-in beer cave.   Most times the clerk is on duty solo, so they cannot just leave the counter and escort every customer into the walk-in.  It is a neat idea; let the customer walk in and choose a cold beverage.  Unfortunately it is also the perfect opportunity for the unscrupulous customer.

My husband used to work the night shift at a local convenience store, and he hated dealing with the guys that walked around the neighborhood or hung around the parking lot all hours of the night.  Many were just waiting for the chance to dart in and run out with a single stolen bottle.  The big 40 ounce bottles of beer and the cheap wines were constantly being stolen.  

That was the 90’s.  In today’s world, this is still happening, but there are solutions on the market.  Checkpoint has introduced the new N-10 model, which is a slim profile theft detection system that is perfect for the limited space available in a convenience store.  Add Bottle Locks to the most targeted beverages, and you have a winning combination.  These tough tools fit tightly over the lids of almost any size bottle.  They are quickly and easily removed by the clerk at the time of purchase.  They are tough and totally reusable.  They can also self alarm if there is an attempt to tamper with or remove them without the proper tool.  Statistically speaking, the glass will break before the Bottle Lock will come off if there is a successful theft.  

If you are the owner or manager of a convenience store and you are fed up with external theft, it is time to take a look at what these tools can do for you.

For more information contact us: 1.770.426.0547 or Bottle-Services.net

 

Filed Under: Security Tagged With: ,

Lock The Compactor- Employee Theft

June 15, 2015 by Leave a Comment
In one of our high theft stores, we were loosing a significant amount of power tools from a well-known brand. We did not suspect at first that the cause was from employee theft. We had assumed that the losses came from shoplifters.
The power tools were items that we had historically had shrink problems with. We had countless incidents and recoveries from shoplifters trying to steal these power tools. When we started to loose even more of them, we just assumed we had more shoplifters than normal.
The obvious solution was to beef up our employees during the day to look out for the shoplifters. While we had a few, it was nothing like the shoplifting rampage that had to be happening for us to loose this many tools. It was then that we realized we should probably start and employee theft investigation.
We started our employee theft investigation with the receiving department. The employees were alone at the wee hours of the morning with minimal supervision. We installed a temporary, discreet camera to see what was going on when nobody else was around.
What we saw was employees sifting through the boxes of merchandise coming into the store. As soon as they found the boxes with power tools in them, they would set the box aside.
Near the end of their shift, they would toss the full boxes into the trash compactor. Someone would go to the outside of the building and grab them. This way the boxes were never seen leaving though one of the main doors.
For more information on employee theft, employee theft investigation or internal theft contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia
Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase CCTV Systems that can help you stop Employee Theft and Internal Theft problems and help with your Employee Theft Investigation.

In one of our high theft stores, we were loosing a significant amount of power tools from a well-known brand. We did not suspect at first that the cause was from employee theft. We had assumed that the losses came from shoplifters.

The power tools were items that we had historically had shrink problems with. We had countless incidents and recoveries from shoplifters trying to steal these power tools. When we started to loose even more of them, we just assumed we had more shoplifters than normal.

The obvious solution was to beef up our employees during the day to look out for the shoplifters. While we had a few, it was nothing like the shoplifting rampage that had to be happening for us to loose this many tools. It was then that we realized we should probably start an employee theft investigation.

We started our employee theft investigation with the receiving department. The employees were alone at the wee hours of the morning with minimal supervision. We installed a temporary, discreet camera to see what was going on when nobody else was around.

What we saw was employees sifting through the boxes of merchandise coming into the store. As soon as they found the boxes with power tools in them, they would set the box aside.

Near the end of their shift, they would toss the full boxes into the trash compactor. Someone would go to the outside of the building and grab them. This way the boxes were never seen leaving though one of the main doors.

For more information on employee theft, employee theft investigation or internal theft contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase CCTV Systems that can help you stop Employee Theft and Internal Theft problems and help with your Employee Theft Investigation.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

S-Tag Gives A More Classy Look

June 13, 2015 by Leave a Comment
I never really thought about the look of a Clothing Security tag and what it says about the store.  That is until yesterday.  Hard tags attached to clothing and accessories come in different shapes, colors, and sizes, but the newest offering from Checkpoint stands out the most.  It is called the S-Tag, and it’s sleek design and ease of use should definitely put it at the top of the list to check into if you are looking for Clothing Security solutions.  
My daughter and I went shopping at a big local mall yesterday, and since she is a teenager, she is into a different fad and style every other week.  Of course, these stores can keep up with her desires better than me, so the easiest thing to do is give her a gift card and set her free.  I hang out in the store, and she clears the choices with me before going to the checkout.  So while I walk around and browse, I take a look at what the stores are using for the Clothing Security.  In one particularly popular store, I was actually surprised at the one tool they utilize, and these people tag everything.  Purses, bracelets, lingerie, shoes, makeup bags, and every piece of clothing in the store had a tag on it.  These things were huge, round, and were pinned on even the most delicate of fabrics and skimpiest of attire.  They were some no-name brand, and although the idea is deterrence for sure, these things really brought down the whole high-end atmosphere of the store.  You want customers to know the garments are secured, but you never want to detract from the appearance of the product you are trying to sell.  
I would have expected a better choice from a big name store in a big popular mall like this.  In a small clothing business you do not want to turn your customers off like this.  And if you sell accessories you do not want to put giant pins into them.  They may leave a crease or other marks on the products. 
That is the beauty of the new S-Tag.  It has a great sleek design and can be attached in a couple different ways.  First of all, they are made to be pinned into the seam of a garment, so there is no need to put it right on the front or at the collar.  The S-Tag is still very visible, but the focus is kept on the item, not the Clothing Security.  As far as accessories, there is the lanyard option.  The items are kept safe and secure, and the customer can still admire the product.  
There is a need for a clear visual symbol to deter shoplifters and keep your clothing safe until purchased.  But after yesterday, I can definitely say there is a big difference in the available Clothing Security tags.  Your shoppers will also notice and your store could benefit from the more classy looking choice.
For more information contact us at 1.770.426.0547 or Clothingsecurity.net

I never really thought about the look of a Clothing Security tag and what it says about the store.  That is until yesterday.  Hard tags attached to clothing and accessories come in different shapes, colors, and sizes, but the newest offering from Checkpoint stands out the most.  It is called the S-Tag, and it’s sleek design and ease of use should definitely put it at the top of the list to check into if you are looking for Clothing Security solutions.  

My daughter and I went shopping at a big local mall yesterday, and since she is a teenager, she is into a different fad and style every other week.  Of course, these stores can keep up with her desires better than me, so the easiest thing to do is give her a gift card and set her free.  I hang out in the store, and she clears the choices with me before going to the checkout.  So while I walk around and browse, I take a look at what the stores are using for the Clothing Security.  In one particularly popular store, I was actually surprised at the one tool they utilize, and these people tag everything.  Purses, bracelets, lingerie, shoes, makeup bags, and every piece of clothing in the store had a tag on it.  These things were huge, round, and were pinned on even the most delicate of fabrics and skimpiest of attire.  They were some no-name brand, and although the idea is deterrence for sure, these things really brought down the whole high-end atmosphere of the store.  You want customers to know the garments are secured, but you never want to detract from the appearance of the product you are trying to sell.  I would have expected a better choice from a big name store in a big popular mall like this.  In a small clothing business you do not want to turn your customers off like this.  And if you sell accessories you do not want to put giant pins into them.  They may leave a crease or other marks on the products. That is the beauty of the new S-Tag.  It has a great sleek design and can be attached in a couple different ways.  First of all, they are made to be pinned into the seam of a garment, so there is no need to put it right on the front or at the collar.  The S-Tag is still very visible, but the focus is kept on the item, not the Clothing Security.  As far as accessories, there is the lanyard option.  The items are kept safe and secure, and the customer can still admire the product.  

There is a need for a clear visual symbol to deter shoplifters and keep your clothing safe until purchased.  But after yesterday, I can definitely say there is a big difference in the available Clothing Security tags.  Your shoppers will also notice and your store could benefit from the more classy looking choice.

For more information contact us at 1.770.426.0547 or Clothingsecurity.net

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Shoplifting and Employee Theft Report

June 11, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Shoplifting is a crime.  Policymakers, local law enforcement, private retail security, and consumers know that.  Stores acrshoplifting2oss the nation display signs warning the would be shoplifters of the intent to prosecute them if they shoplift. Shoplifting and employee theft cost retailers billions of dollars every year, but the problem persists, and in some communities shoplifting incidents have increased.  So, what can you as a retailer or small business owner do about it?  Is more security the answer? Are more security systems in place the answer? A better trained management team in your store the solution?  Retailers and local law enforcements have team up in states to combat this crime, but  shoplifting and employee theft are problems that retailers will be facing for many more years.

27th Annual Retail Theft Survey Reports Over 1.2 Million Shoplifters and Dishonest Employees are Apprehended by Just 25 Large U.S. retailers in 2014

Wesley Chapel, FL – Over 1.2 million shoplifters and dishonest employees were apprehended in 2014 by just 25 large retailers who recovered over $225 million from these thieves, according to the 27th Annual Retail Theft Survey conducted by Jack L. Hayes International, the leading loss prevention and inventory shrinkage control consulting firm.

“Something has to change, as we continue to report increases in apprehensions and recovery dollars year after year. In 2014, the number of apprehensions and recovery dollars were up again for both shoplifters and dishonest employees. Shoplifting apprehensions rose 7.4%, while dishonest employee apprehensions rose 1.7%. The dollars recovered from apprehended shoplifters and dishonest employees also rose, 7.5% and 18.1% respectively”, said Mark R. Doyle, President of Jack L. Hayes International. “These increases, follow similar increases reported the previous three years!” Mr. Doyle added, “I believe the solution starts with education. Educating the public as to the severity of the theft problem and how it negatively effects them on a daily basis. Educating our elected officials as to the negative impact theft plays on our communities and economy. Also, we need to do a better job educating our school aged children to the consequences of theft and the seriousness of the problem.”

6 Top Items Stolen From Stores

At this point in time, we can all pretty much agree that stealing is wrong. We’ve all witnessed the random teenager swiping a candy bar from the local corner store, or perhaps even been a victim of theft on a grander scale. Theft is all around us even though the act has been vilified throughout history in the Code of Hammurabi, the Ten Commandments, and today, in modern laws.

But desperate times call for desperate measures, and in a turbulent economy, marred by long-term unemployment, drastic upticks in the cost of living, and levels of inequality not before seen in modern America, it’s only expected that some people will resort to theft to get what they want. As unfortunate as it is, people stealing out of desperation, or straight malice or selfishness, costs business owners billions annually. According to one study conducted by Centre College professor David Andersen in 1999, the total aggregate of theft costs the economy more than $1.7 trillion every year. That number has likely gone way up over the past 15 years, giventhe rise of cyber crime.

Local retailers join to combat shoplifting

A recent shoplifting case at Walmart in Sahuarita pointed to possible connections to organized criminal activity that local authorities are now taking steps to combat.

The case involves a man and woman from Sonora, Mexico, suspected of stealing cartfuls of merchandise including boxes of diapers. The woman said they planned to sell them south of the border, according to a Sahuarita police report.

Cases like this are known as organized retail crime, or ORC, and nationwide it’s a $30 billion problem, said Pat Marshall of Walgreens. She was among five representatives from three retailers in Sahuarita and Green Valley attending a meeting Wednesday with Sahuarita police and a Pima County Sheriff’s detective.

They’re part of a new arm of the Arizona Organized Retail Crime Alliance (AzORCA).

Items most stolen
According to the National Retail Federation, these are the items most often stolen: Cigarettes, energy drinks,, high-end liquor, infant formula, allergy medicine, diabetic test strips, pain relievers, weight loss pills, high-end vacuums and other appliances, children’s electronic toys, laundry detergent, jeans, designer clothing and handbags, GPS devices, laptops/tablets, cameras/recorders, cell phones, teeth whitening strips, pregnancy tests and razors.
Filed Under: Shoplifting Prevention Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How Does Your Store Prevent Shoplifting?

June 11, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Our company pays an outside vendor to come perform our annual inventories.  That keeps the checks and balances system in place, and helps keep the store management honest in their accountability of losses.  (Several instances of managers attempting to fraudulently pad their inventory numbers by filling empty boxes, or fudging pre-counted merchandise have been discovered, but that is a whole other blog for another day!)  We do what we can to Prevent Shoplifting, deter employee theft, and watch for any paperwork and vendor errors all year long, but the actual count of the store is crucial.  
We need this reporting because we have to know where we are losing merchandise in order to stop it in the future.  We are given a “shrink” budget because some loss is inevitable, but if we are getting hit and don’t even know it, then that budget won’t cut it.  The inventory crew found several empty packages during the count: a muscle stimulator, allergy medication, and an over the counter diet drug.  Those three items combined for about a $250 retail loss, and we didn’t even know they were missing. 
It’s not easy to Prevent Shoplifting.  It takes planning, execution, and in many cases Retail Anti-theft Devices.  From now on those electric muscle stimulator boxes will be protected with Alpha Spider Wraps.  I don’t want them locked up because they are truly an impulse item.  People browsing the pain relievers may decide that creams and pills aren’t enough anymore, so I want them to have the option of choosing that product instead.  But if I hide it behind the counter, even if I put a sign there explaining it’s new location, the chances I will sell any become basically zero.  The same goes for the large quantity count boxes of allergy medications.  I need those available on the shelf.  They obviously have a much higher retail than the 30-day boxes, but they also offer a significant convenience to the customers.  So the answer may be to encase these size boxes in Alpha Keepers. 
The idea is to Prevent Shoplifting, not to lose sales.  Sales fixes problems.  When you determine your “shrink”, it is the percentage of loss compared to your sales.  
There are so many choices when it comes to Retail Anti-theft Devices, you have to decide what works best for your merchandise.  If you specialize in cosmetics you will use much different product protection than a store that sells electronics.  Both types of stores have to Prevent Shoplifting or they cannot survive, but they have to know which items are the most vulnerable and which devices to use that will deter theft.  
I do not have the space to put everything up behind the checkout, nor do I ever want to.  Shoppers prefer to choose their items, pick them up, read the instructions, etc.  By utilizing the many tools from Alpha Technology, we are able to protect the items on the shelves while still giving the customers access to the items they came to buy.  
For more information contact us: 1.770.426.0547

Our company pays an outside vendor to come perform our annual inventories.  That keeps the checks and balances system in place, and helps keep the store management honest in their accountability of losses.  (Several instances of managers attempting to fraudulently pad their inventory numbers by filling empty boxes, or fudging pre-counted merchandise have been discovered, but that is a whole other blog for another day!)  We do what we can to Prevent Shoplifting, deter employee theft, and watch for any paperwork and vendor errors all year long, but the actual count of the store is crucial.  We need this reporting because we have to know where we are losing merchandise in order to stop it in the future.  We are given a “shrink” budget because some loss is inevitable, but if we are getting hit and don’t even know it, then that budget won’t cut it.  The inventory crew found several empty packages during the count: a muscle stimulator, allergy medication, and an over the counter diet drug.  Those three items combined for about a $250 retail loss, and we didn’t even know they were missing. 

It’s not easy to Prevent Shoplifting.  It takes planning, execution, and in many cases Retail Anti-theft Devices.  From now on those electric muscle stimulator boxes will be protected with Alpha Spider Wraps.  I don’t want them locked up because they are truly an impulse item.  People browsing the pain relievers may decide that creams and pills aren’t enough anymore, so I want them to have the option of choosing that product instead.  But if I hide it behind the counter, even if I put a sign there explaining it’s new location, the chances I will sell any become basically zero.  The same goes for the large quantity count boxes of allergy medications.  I need those available on the shelf.  They obviously have a much higher retail than the 30-day boxes, but they also offer a significant convenience to the customers.  So the answer may be to encase these size boxes in Alpha Keepers. 

The idea is to Prevent Shoplifting, not to lose sales.  Sales fixes problems.  When you determine your “shrink”, it is the percentage of loss compared to your sales.  

There are so many choices when it comes to Retail Anti-theft Devices, you have to decide what works best for your merchandise.  If you specialize in cosmetics you will use much different product protection than a store that sells electronics.  Both types of stores have to Prevent Shoplifting or they cannot survive, but they have to know which items are the most vulnerable and which devices to use that will deter theft.  

I do not have the space to put everything up behind the checkout, nor do I ever want to.  Shoppers prefer to choose their items, pick them up, read the instructions, etc.  By utilizing the many tools from Alpha Technology, we are able to protect the items on the shelves while still giving the customers access to the items they came to buy. 

For more information contact us at Preventshopliftingloss.com or call 1.770.426.0547

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Bottle Locks: Small Solution For A Growing Issue

June 10, 2015 by Leave a Comment
On a big name website that prides itself for having the answers to everyday problems, there is one short article that could provide a manager or owner of a small store selling liquor and wine the best solution to stop thefts. The question posed is how to remove a Bottle Lock from a liquor bottle.  The site’s answer is a simple one.  You must have the key.  It gives the instructions for removal with this key, and follows up with a warning to not attempt to remove a Bottle Lock with any other tool because the glass will likely break or shatter and there is great risk of injury.  
Since many states have privatized sales of these products, retailers should look at what measures they need to take in order to protect their valuable inventory.  Before I tell you the benefits of Bottle Locks, let’s take a look at some other choices used in various stores.  1. There is the option to just put everything out on the shelves.  This allows for a larger selection for the consumer and gives them completely open access to look at all the bottles and make their choices freely.  This also opens up a big opportunity for organized theft rings to come and wipe out your shelves, or even worse, it provides much too easy access to minors.  2. Stores may choose to secure only certain brands and price points behind counters or cases.  This may discourage the theft rings from targeting your store, but it does nothing to deter theft by those that are underage, or impulse petty thefts.  Many times these people will just take whatever they can get anyway.  3. Other stores may decide to lock it all up.  They have glass cases constructed down the aisle, and the shopper asks the clerk for what they want.  This eliminates theft, but it also has a lot of negative effects like higher costs passed on to the consumer and less selection.  This could be a viable option for a big box store, with all of it’s employees and almost limitless cash flow, but in the small business world, this probably could not work.
For the managers and owners of small independent stores that have decided to venture into the world of selling liquor and wine, one of the best theft deterrents is Bottle Locks.  There is no need for additional clerks or the use of valuable labor hours running back and forth to open locked cases.  These tools fit right over the tops of almost any size bottle, securing them shut, and like mentioned above, they can only be removed with the proper key.  Otherwise, the crook is only going to have a big mess, and possibly a few nasty cuts.  Bottle Locks are completely reusable, and they require little storage space.  They are designed to be easily and quickly removed at the time of checkout, so there are no long waits for the customer.  
In the retail world and all the stiff competition, help your store stand out by offering what the customers want without any added hassle.  Make the right investment for product protection in your store, and see what Bottle Locks can do for you.
For more information contact us at 1.770.426.0547 or Bottlelock.net

On a big name website that prides itself for having the answers to everyday problems, there is one short article that could provide a manager or owner of a small store selling liquor and wine the best solution to stop thefts. The question posed is how to remove a Bottle Lock from a liquor bottle.  The site’s answer is a simple one.  You must have the key.  It gives the instructions for removal with this key, and follows up with a warning to not attempt to remove a Bottle Lok with any other tool because the glass will likely break or shatter and there is great risk of injury.  

Since many states have privatized sales of these products, retailers should look at what measures they need to take in order to protect their valuable inventory.  Before I tell you the benefits of Alpha Bottle Loks, let’s take a look at some other choices used in various stores.  1. There is the option to just put everything out on the shelves.  This allows for a larger selection for the consumer and gives them completely open access to look at all the bottles and make their choices freely.  This also opens up a big opportunity for organized theft rings to come and wipe out your shelves, or even worse, it provides much too easy access to minors.  2. Stores may choose to secure only certain brands and price points behind counters or cases.  This may discourage the theft rings from targeting your store, but it does nothing to deter theft by those that are underage, or impulse petty thefts.  Many times these people will just take whatever they can get anyway.  3. Other stores may decide to lock it all up.  They have glass cases constructed down the aisle, and the shopper asks the clerk for what they want.  This eliminates theft, but it also has a lot of negative effects like higher costs passed on to the consumer and less selection.  This could be a viable option for a big box store, with all of it’s employees and almost limitless cash flow, but in the small business world, this probably could not work.

For the managers and owners of small independent stores that have decided to venture into the world of selling liquor and wine, one of the best theft deterrents is Alpha Bottle Loks.  There is no need for additional clerks or the use of valuable labor hours running back and forth to open locked cases.  These tools fit right over the tops of almost any size bottle, securing them shut, and like mentioned above, they can only be removed with the proper key.  Otherwise, the crook is only going to have a big mess, and possibly a few nasty cuts.  Bottle Loks are completely reusable, and they require little storage space.  They are designed to be easily and quickly removed at the time of checkout, so there are no long waits for the customer.  

In the retail world and all the stiff competition, help your store stand out by offering what the customers want without any added hassle.  Make the right investment for product protection in your store, and see what Alpha Bottle Loks can do for you.

For more information contact us at 1.770.426.0547 or Bottlelock.net

 

Filed Under: Security Tagged With: ,

Walk Through The Process- Employee Background Checks

June 8, 2015 by
Employee background checks have always been used as an aid for companies to make better hiring decisions. Primarily these pre employment screenings were done by larger operations that were hiring for top-level executives, employees with security clearances, or law enforcement.
With the increase in access to public information like criminal convictions, employment or education history, it has been more cost effective for even small businesses to conduct employee background checks for all of their potential job candidates.
Typically a business has an applicant fill out a job application. On the application there is notification that you reserve the right to conduct pre employment screening prior to hiring any applicant. They have to sign acknowledging this requirement.
Next would be any pre interview screenings followed up by an actual job interview. During the job interview the potential employer has a chance to verbally review the application. This is the best time to find out more about the applicant’s personality and skill set. This is also an ideal time for the applicant to ask any questions they might have, but also to clarify any questions or red flags the potential employer has found.
If all goes well after the interview process, the employee background checks are then conducted. Waiting until this time in the process serves two purposes. It eliminates the need to spend money on pre employment screening for applicants you have no interest in hiring. Secondly, the employee background checks help validate the information put on the application, validating that this is a good candidate to hire.
To purchase Pre-Employment Screening Services or for more information on background check experts, background checks, criminal background checks, employee background checks or pre employment screening contact us at the background check company or call 1.770.426.0547 

Employee background checks have always been used as an aid for companies to make better hiring decisions. Primarily these pre employment screenings were done by larger operations that were hiring for top-level executives, employees with security clearances, or law enforcement.

With the increase in access to public information like criminal convictions, employment or education history, it has been more cost effective for even small businesses to conduct employee background checks for all of their potential job candidates.

Typically a business has an applicant fill out a job application. On the application there is notification that you reserve the right to conduct pre employment screening prior to hiring any applicant. They have to sign acknowledging this requirement.

Next would be any pre interview screenings followed up by an actual job interview. During the job interview the potential employer has a chance to verbally review the application. This is the best time to find out more about the applicant’s personality and skill set. This is also an ideal time for the applicant to ask any questions they might have, but also to clarify any questions or red flags the potential employer has found.

If all goes well after the interview process, the employee background checks are then conducted. Waiting until this time in the process serves two purposes. It eliminates the need to spend money on pre employment screening for applicants you have no interest in hiring. Secondly, the employee background checks help validate the information put on the application, validating that this is a good candidate to hire.

To purchase Pre-Employment Screening Services or for more information on background check experts, background checks, criminal background checks, employee background checks or pre employment screening contact us at the background check company or call 1.770.426.0547 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

Surveillance And Shoplifting

June 4, 2015 by Leave a Comment

shoplifting4Many retailers already spend millions of dollars to defend themselves against cyber attacks, and millions more to defend themselves against shoplifting and employee theft.  Security cameras are one of the many methods they use to prevent shoplifting, and in big retail stores a security guard is usually walking through the store, but relying in one method of security though is foolhardy, and eventually may prove to be more costly for the profits of your store.

Tips for enhancing the security of your surveillance systems

Nothing beats a security camera when it comes to keeping an eye on your home or your business. The newest surveillance technology can offer a greater range of vision and nearly endless recording durations, guaranteeing protection. Learning about security camera best practices can dissuade intruders from trespassing on your property or hacking your systems. Before buying a set of surveillance cameras, however, take a second to review the steps necessary for truly secure monitoring.

Password unprotected

Isn’t the whole point of a top-of-the-line security system that it’s for your eyes only? No one besides you, your family or a select group of coworkers should have access. Unfortunately, accidentally granting permission for anyone to peek through your cameras can be as easy as checking the Internet.

Is Petty Shoplifting Worth Hiring a Private Security Guard?

It’s obvious why a large store, full of hot-ticket items, needs round-the-clock, top-notch private security. But what about the local, corner store, whose average item’s price is $3.00, and its highest-priced item is $25? Wouldn’t the money spent on a private security guard offset any petty shoplifting?

This question is certainly worth asking, because after all, you would hire a private security guard because it would ultimately protect your assets, not increase your expenses without cost-benefit. Let’s look at the issues at hand, because hiring a private security guard isn’t just about keeping away petty thieves.  What else is it about?

1) Calculating accurately. Most retail stores calculate between 10-20% of their budget for shoplifting. That means up to 1/5 of the budget is dedicated toward theft alone!  Make sure that the cost of a private security guard is weighed against the shoplifting budget .  Even when strictly looking at the bottom line, your calculations could show that a private security guard reduces the need for the so-called “theft budget”.

Alleged shoplifter opens store with security cameras to stop shoplifters

WATCH ABOVE: Police bust an alleged shoplifting ring preying on high end retailers in the GTA. Catherine McDonald reports. 

TORONTO – York Regional Police have announced Tuesday the seizure of $1 million worth of stolen clothing after dismantling a Greater Toronto Area shoplifting ring.

Police say the investigation began in October 28, 2014 following a clothing store theft at Markville Mall in Markham.

Security video obtained at the scene helped police identify several suspects linked to similar crimes in the area.

Filed Under: Shoplifting Prevention Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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