Uncategorized — Page 104

Beyond the Hard Tag

January 23, 2012 by Staff Editor

I have watched the retail industry change over the last decade. There is a growing focus on curbing retail losses from shrink. It’s no longer about good sales curing all. It’s about understanding the bottom line profits can be made or broken based on how bad the shrink is during any given inventory cycle.

Putting security tags on clothes was the first step in shrink reduction. Having an audible clothing alarm from the use of clothing security tags was innovative ten years ago. Now, it is an industry standard to have some form of clothing security in place.

Checkpoint tags have become the leader in clothing security. Their clothing security tags have gone beyond just a simple hard tag. They have products like the Alpha Security cable lock. It’s a wire device that has an attached tag. Easy to use on things like handbags or leather coats this tag doesn’t just stop at the door. These tags will create an alarm that emanates from the tag, not the pedestals at the door. Who wants to run down the street with a siren hidden under their coat?

Another handy innovation in Checkpoint tags is their Alpha Security Keeper Box. This box allows retailers to keep small, easily concealed items like fragrance or jewelry in plain sight, and arms reach, of the customer. Without the proper removal tools, it is nearly impossible to truly access the product without first paying for it.

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

Deterring Employee Theft

January 22, 2012 by Staff Editor

“One can only speculate how much more profitable this industry could be if these many sources of inventory shrinkage and other forms of financial loss could be significantly reduced.” Wise words from Dr. Richard Hollinger, a professor at the University of Florida, Gainsville.

His summary of the 2010 National Retail Security Survey (NRSS) really drives home the point of how severe the losses really are for the retail industry. The NRSS states that 45% of retail inventory losses come from employee theft.

How does the retail industry respond? Pre employment screening.

The NRSS says the “hottest” trend is a Criminal – History Background Check.

Criminal Background checks will show any convictions for any crime. The background check will often uncover the real reason why this person left their last job (prosecuted for employee theft). Lengthy gap in employment history? It could be due to jail time. Maybe that “attendance issue” was actually being in a holding cell all weekend.

The NRSS states that this year actual criminal prosecutions (of dishonest employees) nearly doubled. Employee background checks are catching these prosecutions. They make it easier for hiring managers to side step these hidden land mines.

Employee background checks are becoming increasingly integral to the war on shrink. Catching these dishonest employees before they step foot in the door is a front line defense.

While pre employment screening will deter bad applicants from the beginning, employee background checks should continue after someone has been hired. How else will you know if your long time associates are now a high risk associate?

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: background check company, Background checks, criminal background check, employee background checks, pre employment screening, test

Employee theft by pass-offs are on the rise – Atlanta Georgia

January 20, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

There are many ways that we as retailer can take losses due to internal theft (also called employee theft). We are vulnerable to the obvious theft of cash. Also, like shoplifters, employees can steal merchandise as well. A surprising cause of internal theft is what we call “sweethearting”. This is where employees steal by giving breaks to others. These breaks can come in the form of extra discounts and can also be done by pass-offs. Pass-offs are when the employee bags the merchandise and “passes it off” without scanning it for purchase. These instances of “sweethearting” can be done to aid co-workers, friends and family members.

The only way to find out if this is going on in your store is to conduct an employee theft investigation. An employee theft investigation into pass-offs can be hard to do. Personally, I suggest using a trained Loss Prevention Professional as they are skilled at performing this type of complex investigation. However, if you choose to look into this on your own, here are some tips I suggest.

First, keep an eye out for cashiers or associates who always have friends and family members hanging around. Since most theft is a crime of opportunity, these individuals would be a high risk category. Another thing to look for are customers who are adamant about going through a particular line. There may be a shorter line available, but they decline to move. I know that some customers develop a relationship with certain employees, but it is odd that a customer declines a faster checkout experience. They may be getting hook-ups from the employee whose line they are in and that is why they don’t want to move. Finally, look at employees who have high amounts of markdowns. All of these things can help you root out employee theft in your store.

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: employee theft, employee theft investigation, internal theft

Sometimes You Have To Laugh

January 20, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF label, RF labels, RF security labels, RF security tags, stop shoplifting

New to You

January 20, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

In my new hire training classes, I do a segment on how to prevent shoplifting. I start by asking what the trainees know about shoplifters and how to deter them. Most of the time, I get blank stares and they tell me that since they can’t apprehend a shoplifter there is nothing they can do to prevent shoplifting from happening in the store.

I start by telling them about customer service is a better deterrent than any retail anti theft device could ever be. #1 rule of not getting caught is to avoid detection by everyone around him or her. The simple act of greeting each and every person, works on a multitude of levels. No one feels singled out. The legitimate customer gets the help they need and the shoplifter gets scared out of stealing.

As a secondary tactic, retail anti theft devices can be called into play. These are generally the hard or soft tags on clothes. More involved retailers use other Checkpoint products to limit access to merchandise, such as the bottle locks on liquor, or the Alpha Security Keeper Box on colognes and razors.

I walk my new hires through the different retail anti theft devices our store uses, and how to properly deactivate them for the customers. I also show them what happens when an alarm goes off when something is not deactivated. This sort of awareness helps our associates become more involved in the process. It also helps deter any shoplifters who are watching. They know that we are serious about preventing shoplifting and have employed techniques to be successful.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store for retail anti theft devices that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

For more information on how you can use retail anti theft devices to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Prevent Shoplifting, Retail Anti Theft Devices

Clothing Security: Making Your Business More Profitable

January 20, 2012 by Staff Editor

Many businesses find themselves at a point when investment in clothing security measures becomes a reality of their business. This investment most often comes in the form of various clothing security tags or clothing alarms. The use of clothing security tags is the primary security deterrent used by businesses worldwide. Clothing security tags also know as article security tags provide the user with a physical theft deterrent, which can be used as a part of an overall loss prevention strategy.

These security tags on clothes can act as an active or passive security system. Many security tags on clothes are used as an element to work in conjunction with an overall electronic article system. The electronic article systems also works with various clothing alarms, which can give an immediate notification of removal from the system. This notification is most often an audible clothing alarm that is triggered. As a passive system, clothing security tags present themselves as a visual deterrent to shoplifters. The application of clothing security tags will deter many if not the majority of shoplifters from your place of business.

The effectiveness of clothing security is dependent on effectively deploying what is needed for your business. Some retailers need audible clothing alarms for higher priced items. Other retailers will need security tags on clothes to control loss of high theft items. Others will need jewelry locks to secure smaller easy to conceal items. Clothing security is a measure that can be tailor fitted to your business.

The use of clothing security can benefit both small and large retail businesses. It allows the business owner to control their loss and lower the bottom line. This can improve the business profit margins and create a safer environment for employees.

To purchase clothing security tags or a clothing alarm please visit the loss prevention store.

For more information on clothing security, clothing alarm or security tags on clothes contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: clothing alarm, Clothing Security, clothing security tags, security tags on clothes

What Happened to Employee Loyalty?

January 20, 2012 by Staff Editor

The 2010 National Retail Security Summary (NRSS) is out. I had a chance to read it the other day. It shows some interesting data sent in by 140 retailers nationally. Employee theft remained at about 45% of retail inventory losses reported. This was about the same proportion as last year, according to the NRSS.

The two biggest causes? Sales associate turnover and a heavy reliance on a part time work force.

Retailers are bombarded by the constant flux of open positions and payroll cuts. Combined, they leave little to the employee to hold on to. Often feeling overworked by having to compensate for being short handed. They then are on hourly restrictions, that often decrease their hours to compensate for the payroll reduction.

This creates a breeding ground for inconsistent paychecks and ill will toward their company. Hmm. That explains why so many associates jump ship for other jobs as soon as they can find one. It also explains why the two biggest reasons I hear for employee theft are:

“I felt like they [the company] owed it to me” and “I couldn’t afford it”

Well, now that we have gotten ourselves into this predicament, how do we get ourselves out?

Background checks and pre employment screening

Not just any old background checks either. I am talking about ones conducted by a real background check company with background check experts compiling data and analyzing risk factors.

I personally don’t have time to interview every application that comes across my desk, for every open position. I need someone with an expertise in background checks to give me the cliff notes version of the resume in front of me. I need a Background check company to be a watchdog for me.

My time is limited on who and how many applicants I can interview. If I am armed with information from pre employment screening that saves me from wasting my time, background checks are well worth the investment!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: background check company, Background checks, criminal background check, employee background checks, pre employment screening

Stop Shoplifting With RF Technology

January 18, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF label, RF labels, RF security labels, RF security tags, stop shoplifting

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Profit

January 18, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

A sure way to increase the profits in your store is to decrease the theft in your store. One way to do this, is by adding retail anti theft devices to your merchandise. These devices can be very effective when you are trying to prevent shoplifting in your store. To prevent shoplifting in your stores, you must be diligent and have a plan. It is not a good business practice to think that you will be immune to the growing problem of shoplifting.

Shoplifting is a serious problem now and has been for a long time. Many retailers have turned to the use of retail anti theft devices as their way to prevent shoplifting. These devices makes it harder for would be shoplifters to take merchandise from the stores. Retailers need all the help they can get in this economy. Retailers are aware that they have to have product in the store to sell, if they want to make a profit. This can not happen if shoplifters are constantly coming in and taking their products.

This is the reason that prevention devices have become so popular among retailers. Clothing retailers are especially pleased with the results they are seeing from utilizing security tags on their clothes. Placing these security tags on items that are consistently targeted by shoplifters, like clothing and electronics, is especially important. Retailers are willing to invest in retail anti theft devices because they provide the theft deterrence they need to keep the shoplifters out, so honest customers can come in and buy their merchandise.

In order to prevent shoplifting retailers must be proactive. Retailers have to know that this problem will not simply go away. An investment in retail anti theft devices gives the retailer the theft prevention they need, in order to see the profits they want.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store for retail anti theft devices that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

For more information on how you can use retail anti theft devices to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Prevent Shoplifting, Retail Anti Theft Devices

The Great Debate

January 18, 2012 by Staff Editor

Have you ever heard a clothing alarm go off in a store? Did you wonder if the security tags on the clothes are doing more good than harm? Clothing Security is often a popular debate amongst Loss Prevention Personnel and Store Management. Here is one look at how to answer those questions.

Checkpoint tags are designed to enhance clothing security. They are meant as a deterrent to shoplifters. Most of the theft retailers see comes from small timers. They are the ones who see an opportunity and take it. Having clothing security tags eliminates some of that opportunity.

When properly controlled by store associates, clothing security tags pose no additional inconvenience to the customer. An associate easily and quickly removes them at the POS. False alarms are not from faulty tags, but rather from poor customer service by an associate.

The clothing alarm that does go off is also a good chance for the store to show their commitment to eliminating shrink from theft. If an alarm goes off from a clothing security tag, quick response from the associates set the stage. Any potential shoplifters will be watching to see what happens. If the associates respond, it is another strong warning that this store will not be victimized by theft.

Over the years of apprehending shoplifters, I hear two common themes regarding clothing security. The first is “they don’t respond to the alarms”. The second is “ this (item of merchandise) didn’t have a tag, so I took it”.

I hope this answers the questions with a resounding YES that clothing security tags are doing more good than harm.

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Checkpoint tags, clothing alarm, Clothing Security, clothing security tags, security tags on clothes