Tags VS Labels

January 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I recently purchased a new winter coat at a national chain retailer. While the store was packed with people and very few associates around, I surprisingly found great service at the check out. Hidden in a pocket on the inside of my new coat was a Checkpoint label. The cashier knew too look for it, point it out to me, and then made sure I knew to remove the RF security label before I wore the coat. I never would have known it was there, if it wasn’t for the cashier.

 After I got home, I started thinking about what a great deterrent to stop shoplifting the RF label was. When word gets out to the thieves in the community that there are hidden RF security tags and RF labels on the merchandise, well! If I were a shoplifter, I wouldn’t even dare try to steal from that store.

 The RF label was so discreet, I had no idea it was there. It didn’t even occur to me that I wasn’t fighting some bulky Checkpoint security tag. I tried the coat on and didn’t worry about a hard tag in my sleeve or fighting with one on the zipper. While there are times that RF security tags are a better solution for merchandise, this time the use of an RF Label made it so easy for me to shop! I am glad this retailer knew the appropriate uses for their anti shoplifting devices.

 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 

 

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Seasonal workers causing employee theft in Atlanta Georgia

January 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Tis the season for greetings, gifts and theft.  As hard as it is to swallow, the holidays seem to bring out the worst in employees, especially those seasonal employees we hire to handle the increase in customer traffic.  Employee theft (also known as internal theft) between now and the new year will be the highest of the year so I recommend you start now keeping a close eye on your workers.

When I conduct an employee theft investigation I always try to find out “why” the theft occurred.  Here is what I have found about holiday theft.  One, everyone is under increased pressure to come up with extra money for Christmas gifts.  Many individuals (especially now) are living paycheck to paycheck so this increase in funds may not be readily available.  With that said kids expect a visit from Santa and the spouse deserves something nice under the tree so that forces generally honest employees into a tough spot.

The second major theme is that seasonal help has no loyalty to a company.  Our regular employees need the company to perform well so they keep jobs, benefits, 401K’s, etc.  Seasonal help has no such long term use for the company.  They are there to get their holiday money and whatever else they can get away with.  Now I realize this is a little jaded of a view and there are, in fact, some great seasonal workers.  What I am trying to illustrate is that as a whole the need to care for the company’s well-being is not the goal, but personal gain is so this causes the trend to be higher that employee theft will come from seasonal help.  Finally, the ability to conduct an employee theft investigation is hampered by increased business and short time frames before the seasonal positions end. Internal theft is a real fact of business so be ready to protect your profits this holiday season.

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

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RF Labels: The right fit for the holidays.

January 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Money is often tight for many people around the holidays. Between holiday presents and the abundant festivities, people are looking for more ways to get the items they need for free. It should be no surprise then why the majority of my shoplifting cases occur during the winter months. So what is the best way to stop shoplifting? I would start with RF security tags.

The great aspect about RF security labels is the versatility. These RF labels can be placed on anything from small, concealable items such as makeup and fragrances to larger jewelry boxes. This enables them to be a great addition to the Checkpoint clothing security tags in your store.

 In addition, the deterrence effect of a small RF label can make a big difference. Customers won’t even notice the Checkpoint label, however the shoplifters will. Once the shoplifter sees the RF label they will think twice about putting that item into their jacket or purse. It doesn’t disrupt the customer’s shopping experience but will put a dent in any thieves’ plans.

 It is also a great way to support your store even if you already have loss prevention in place. In the stores I cover as a loss prevention agent, the holidays bring many shoplifters and I am not always able to catch every person that steals. To help me stop shoplifting in my store, I rely on Checkpoint security tags in order to deter the shoplifters.

 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

 

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Preventing Shoplifting: A Common Sense Approach

January 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment

When a small business owner starts writing a business plan with the hopes of starting a small retail store chain they tend to forget the importance of Loss Prevention. When looking at overhead they may factor in a couple retail anti theft devices such as a camera system or lockable display cases, but there is no comprehensive plan to prevent shoplifting or internal theft. Developing a shrink strategy to prevent shoplifting is tricky even for loss prevention professionals who work for companies that already do have established shrink programs. The small business owner should sit down with loss prevention professional consultants to work out a multifaceted loss prevention program that will be catered directly to the proposed business employing several retail anti theft devices with the purpose of not not only preventing shoplifting but to address shrink at every level.

             There are many variables to take into account before purchasing any retail anti theft devices. What type of product will be sold? How large is the location? How large is the sales floor vs the stockroom? Where will the point of sale be located on the sales floor? What is the crime index where the business will be opened? Are there other retailers next to you and what type of retail anti theft devices are they employing at their locations? Do other local retailers employ security guards? How close is the stockroom door to the point of sale? How close is the stockroom door to the store’s entrance/exit? How close is the stockroom door to the bathroom area? All of these must be considered when developing an overall shrink strategy so as to accurately account for the cost of a loss prevention program as well as to ensure the proper strategy is in place before the business ever opens its doors.

             One of the biggest challenges is trying to pinpoint the amount of loss that will occur and then budget enough money to purchase the correct loss prevention tools without going overboard. It is a tricky process that has to be tweaked every year based on inventory results and loss prevention incidents. Another very important factor in deterring loss is hiring the right people. Part of the shrink strategy should be to have a comprehensive pre employment screening process that includes criminal and employee background checks. Another piece to the puzzle will be to train all employees on shrink reduction strategies as well as to familiarize themselves with the loss prevention tools such as camera systems, EAS checkpoint systems, tagging  Ensuring the right employees are in place is one of the best methods to prevent shoplifting.

             To the small business owner this could seem to be a daunting task that is why it is recommended that this be a part of the initial business plan to ensure the shrink strategy can be fleshed out completely before the doors open. Buying a few retail anti theft devices after the store is open and hoping to prevent shoplifting is a recipe for failure. Trying to develop a shrink plan on the fly while opening a new business will not allow for proper thought and planning thus leaving a business owner constantly trying to play catch up.

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 

 

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A variety of options for putting security tags on clothes.

January 11, 2012 by

As a business leader, when do you ever apply one concept to a problem?  We almost always have multifaceted solutions to our business problems.  Why should clothing security be any different?  There are many different shoplifters, we sell many different items and therefore we need a variety of clothing security solutions if we are going to be successful at tackling the theft problems in our stores.  Take clothing security tags for example.  There are dozens of companies who manufacture clothing security tags and there is certainly more than one clothing alarm on the market.  Now in most cases you can only use one of these solutions at a time, but there is a solution that breaks this mold.

First, start with and a Checkpoint clothing alarm.  Putting security tags on clothes is a basic, but important first step.  Checkpoint makes a reliable system and Checkpoint tags come in a wide variety of options just by themselves.  You can get labels and hard tags.  You can even get Checkpoint tags sewn into the lining of the clothes.

Step 2, add Alpha clothing security solutions.  Alpha manufactures clothing security devices that will work with your existing AM and RF clothing alarm systems.  Now you have more than one type of tag that can be utilized on the same system.  Alpha has standard hard tags, much like Checkpoint tags, but they have some different items as well.  With Alpha you can put security tags on clothes that have their own alarm.  That’s right.  Not only will the tag set off the clothing alarm at the door, but there is also an alarm built in the tag that will have it screaming too.  This variety will help keep the shoplifters guessing and will make it hard for them to defeat all of your solutions.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase a clothing alarm or clothing security tags.

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

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Are background checks really necessary?

January 10, 2012 by

A retailer I once worked for asked the question, “Are background checks really necessary?” They found out the hard way.

A young and promising manager was hired expeditiously to fill a long open management position at metro location. Heavy customer flow, huge volume sales and an unruly staff encouraged the hiring managers to forego any pre-employment screening and background checks. As time went on, the store didn’t seem to be making any sort of headway on controls and as a matter of fact was experiencing a new concern…cash shortages.

Criminal background checks and pre-employment screening are important parts of the business environment. Nothing can kill a business faster than an employee that comes on board with the intent to commit harm on the store.

I and other members of the loss prevention department looked into this store, trying to figure out what the problems could be. It didn’t take very long to realize what was going on. There was clear cut evidence of theft. Now it was a matter of finding the culprit. Cash is secured in the safe, so we looked at personnel with access to the safe, then contacted our Human Resources Department and looked at any background checks and pre-employment screening information available. Obviously, no criminal background checks were completed on any of the 4 persons that had access to the safe.

Our investigation showed us the newly hired manager, and we interviewed him. In the short 6 months he was with us, he took us for nearly $10,000 in cash and more in merchandise. After, we looked into his background and found that he had been fired from 2 other retailers for theft and did over a year in prison for embezzlement. Certainly, criminal background checks and proper pre-employment screening could have prevented this.

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

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Internal theft of cash is major concern – Atlanta Georgia

January 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

There are many ways that internal theft (or employee theft) can cut into our profits.  Employees have access to many things that shoplifters don’t.  For example, employees can access large amounts of backstock merchandise while shoplifters can only steal the small quantities we put on the shelves.  Many high dollar items are locked in cases so shoplifters can’t steal them.  Guess who has the keys?  The employees do.  We keep our cash locked tight in registers, safes and use armed guards to transport it to the bank.  But … Employees have to touch the money first.  All statistics show that employee theft is the main way retailers take losses.

One of the main things stolen from a business is its cash.  Product is great, but cash can be used anywhere and for anything.  With the economy in the pits, the need for help paying the mortgage and car note are greater than they have been in the last 50 years.  In fact, many are struggling to put food on the table.  I did a recent employee theft investigation where the person was stealing small dollar amounts each day so they could eat food from the vending machine in order to buy real food for her kids.  It was one of the many heartbreaking realities I have come across recently.

With the holidays approaching internal theft of cash becomes an even bigger concern.  For one, there is increased pressure to come up with cash to buy Christmas presents for everyone you know.  To add to that, many companies will be bringing on seasonal help so you now have more employees and you have employees who don’t have much loyalty to the company as they know their time is limited.  Remember to do an employee theft investigation as soon as you find money missing.  It may just be an error, but at this time you need to be prepared for all possibilities.

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

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Tis The Season..TO STOP SHOPLIFTING!

January 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I have worked for both big and small box retailers in my career. Holiday philosophies regarding loss prevention are too numerous to count. Believe it or not there are businesses that encourage their loss prevention teams to go on vacation during the holiday season. Businesses become so focused on sales that the concern to stop shoplifting falls to a low priority. This is especially dangerous for those companies that do not use checkpoint security tags.

A focus on sales should be a concern but you should never ignore the bottom line as a whole. Having an EAS (electronic article surveillance) system is like having and extra player in the line up. Running loose and ragged concerning yourself with merely ensuring product is processed and put out on the shelves ignores the potential for shoplifters to pray upon your business. Even companies that do use checkpoint security tags tend to draw back on the amount of categories that they tag with RF security tags and rf security labels. There is also a draw back on the auditing of rf security tag compliance.

The holidays are a time where you need to utilize every security tool that you can employ. When there is a larger presence of customers in your store there is more of a chance that product loss can and will occur. One clothing company I worked for always went against the grain and ramped up using rf labels and rf tags. Loss prevention as a department felt that sense of urgency due to the top down direction of the company to protect its assets. RF labels and rf tags create an obstacle to potential shoplifters. Thieves have to make the decision to not only steal the product but to also try to defeat the checkpoint security tags. Though usage of the EAS system will not stop shoplifting 100% it will deter the impulse shoplifter. Every employee became a part of the team to process shipment, attach either rf labels or rf tags to the product and then merchandise as much of the product on the sales floor as possible. By ensuring the checkpoint labels and tags were aggressively used the company was able to continuously move product out on the sales floor to maximize sales potential as well as product protection. Loss Prevention helped with shipment and tagging, in return sales personnel aided in rf label and rf tag auditing and floor watch awareness. The team rallied around the EAS system which positively affected the inventory shrink number. The EAS system is only a tool to be used to try to stop shoplifting, the system will only be successful if the store staff works together.

Checkpoint labels are excellent for small box items where rf security tags can not be attached. We actually used Checkpoint labels inside shoes as well. During the holidays if time became constricted and use of rf tags with or without lanyards was too time consuming the quick fix was to apply a rf label in its place. Once the Holidays were finished then there would be a beginning of the year audit to ensure all categories were tagged correctly. Ensuring when and where possible rf security tags were applied and rf security labels attached. This was also the time to retrain the store staffs as to the correct usage of the EAS system. Where to place a rf label was critical to both deterring shoplifting as well as the EAS pedestals picking up the rf security labels signal if the product was being removed from the store without being deactivated. Tag placement was also critical for the same reasons as well as to ensure no damage was done to the product being protected. Tis the season to stop shoplifting!

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

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

 

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It’s hard to prevent shoplifting, but Alpha makes it easier.

January 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

We all know how hard it is to prevent shoplifting even when the store is slow.  It is especially hard to prevent shoplifting during the busy times.  There are increased customers, increased inventory coming into the stores and employee stress increases.  Trying to add shoplifting prevention to the mix is just one more iron on an already blazing fire.  Here is where you have a partner.  Retail anti theft devices are designed to help save you time and stress worrying about shoplifting.

 One vendor of retail anti theft devices that I recommend is Alpha security.  Alpha is a leader in innovative solutions for theft prevention.  Two key products for this time of year are keeper cases and spider wraps.  Keeper cases are plastic cases that you can lock your merchandise in.  They can be purchased in many sizes to fit a wide variety of merchandise.  Some of the custom sizes are made to fit: infant formula, DVD’s, video games, cosmetics, razor blades, etc.  They can be used by a wide range of retailers.  The big benefit is that you can allow self-service while still “locking” up your expensive and high theft items.  They also have built in EAS tags that will work with your existing EAS systems.

 Spider wraps are another great item.  They come in 2 sizes and are wires with an EAS sensor and tamper sounder attached.  The spider wrap wires can be adjusted to fit most any boxed item you have from GPS units to Flat Screen TV sets.  They will set off the EAS if attempt to be stolen and if the wire is cut there is a powerful sounder that will raise an alarm.  Both solutions from Alpha will help take the worry out of theft and allow you to focus on SALES, SALES, SALES!!!

 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 – Atlanta Georgia

 

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Clothing security is a must for 2012!!!

January 8, 2012 by

Benjamin Franklin once said that, “In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes”.  It’s clear that Ben never worked in retail or he would have probably added “shoplifting” to that list.  Those of us who do work in retail know this to be a certainty.  With that in mind I hope everyone has a plan in place for clothing security in the New Year.

There are many different clothing security options available on the market today that can be used to help prevent shoplifting.  One of the primary deterrent methods is putting security tags on clothes and then utilizing a clothing alarm.  The premise of this system is that clothing security tags are placed on the product.  At the point of sale the cashier will either remove or deactivate the clothing security tags.  If a customer decides to skip the cashier step and head straight for the door the tag will trip the clothing alarm and alert the employees to a possible theft.  Putting security tags on clothes accomplishes several goals.  One, the store is alert to potential theft and it is not just happening unnoticed.  Two, the store employee now has probable cause under most states “Shopkeeper Acts” to initiate contact and validate whether the product has been paid for or not.  Finally, it sends a message that shoplifters will be dealt with and will encourage other would-be thieves to think twice before stealing from your store.

There are many different vendors who manufacture clothing security tags.  One that I recommend are Checkpoint tags.  Checkpoint tags are well known to shoplifters and are very productive at deterring theft.  Checkpoint tags are reliable and difficult to defeat (unlike some tags that can be removed with a rubber band).  Putting security tags on clothes is the best way to prevent shoplifting and if properly employed can help make 2012 your most profitable year ever.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase a clothing alarm or clothing security tags.

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

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