A very large portion of my job that doesn’t involve conducting investigations is performing audits. I am a whiz at audits. I can audit anything and everything, quantify the data and then present a very accurate look at the pulse of a store.
One of the biggest areas that I audit is security tags on clothes. When it comes to clothing security, having something like Checkpoint tags is really an industry standard. Having proper execution of those tags? Sometimes it seems like it is an optional program.
The first part of the audit is to know what the standards are for that type of clothing. Is it above $50? Only certain brands? The next step is to take a random sampling of that product group (say 25 or 50 items) and start counting how many Checkpoint tags are attached. Take note that the clothing security tags are in the right place on the garment.
You should now be able to convert your findings into a percentage. Is this an acceptable number? Some retailers expect at least 95% compliance. Others may only require 80 -85%.
I would compare these percentages against current losses, recovered tags, and apprehensions and see if there is a correlation to poor clothing security standards and current shrink trends. Generally there is a big solid line connecting the two.
I also look at associate engagement in those areas with high or increasing shrink, and poor clothing security. Again, there is usually a common denominator present.
The last thing is to take those findings to the management staff. Having concrete numbers to back up what I am trying to enforce goes a long way. It also helps my managers have something concrete if any sort of performance action is needed with the department’s associates.
Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase a clothing alarm or clothing security tags.
For more information on Checkpoint tags, clothing security, clothing alarm, or clothing security tags contact us at security tags on clothes or call 1.770.426.0547
