Missing merchandise isn’t just a shoplifting problem…

September 3, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

In fact, missing merchandise can just as easily, and just as likely, an employee theft problem. Yep, you heard right. Employee theft is a reality. Internal theft, the retail term for employee theft, is generally the #1 shrink factor in retail stores. Just like customers, employees often don’t want to pay for their products either. So how do you know if the missing inventory is due to shoplifting or internal theft?

The answer is you have to conduct an employee theft investigation. One of the first ways to conduct an employee theft investigation is to track when the product goes missing. To do this you will need to conduct “mini-inventories” or cycle counts, as they are commonly known, every day you work. By doing this you will narrow down when the product is going missing. (Thieves tend to stick to the same product group so you won’t have to count every item in the store; just what you have noticed is missing.) You can then compare the dates of loss to your employee schedule to see if the same worker is present at every, or almost every, loss date. This is not an automatic indicator of guilt as more than one person can be stealing the same product, but it will give you a starting point.

Next, is the tedious part. Surveillance. It is best if you have a Loss Prevention Agent that works for the company as this is time consuming. There are also companies who have trained LP agents for hire that can help complete an employee theft investigation on a case by case basis. You will need to observe the employee for several days to see if you can catch him/her in the act. Hand in the cookie jar is the best way to avoid liability. I also suggest package checks (especially when you think you have something). The employee may not be expecting this and it’s a great way to get the evidence you need.

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

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RF security tags. More than your daddy’s old sensor tags.

September 3, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

For those who have been around retail for awhile, you have probably seen many different versions of sensor tags. I remember, when as a consumer, I first started seeing retailers use sensor tags to stop shoplifting. The systems would alarm at anything electronic. Beepers, early cell phones and remote entry key fobs were all notorious for setting off the alarm as opposed to product. That is not the case with Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint security tags.

Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint security tags are considered RF labels and RF security tags since the work on a Radio Frequency. When you get your EAS system set up a technician will calibrate your system so that the door pedestals will pick up the specific frequency of your RF security labels and your RF security tags as opposed to all of those other items in the area. So what does this mean for business owners?

One of the biggest positives to using RF security labels is actually customer service. A) You increase customer service when you stop shoplifting and have the product your customers want available and ready to sell. B) You increase customer service by significantly reducing false alarms. With the old systems you never knew who was stealing and everyone was a suspect. Now with the RF label you know the person setting off the system has product with a live tag. Now they may be stealing or the cashier may have forgotten to remove or deactivate the RF label or tag, but you eliminate the false alarms due to electronics and other devices. This equals the ability to still stop shoplifting and decreases the chance for a negative Customer Service situation. Now aren’t you glad for modern technology?

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 security tags, Checkpoint labels, RF labels, RF security labels, RF security tags and how to stop shoplifting contact us at RF label or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Retail anti theft devices that work.

September 3, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

By now everyone has seen some type of retail anti theft devices whether it be as a customer in someone else’s store or something you purchased for you business. The fact is you have to use something to prevent shoplifting if you want to keep profits high and prices low. The number one cause of annual price increases in retail is shoplifting. But with all of the options to choose from it can sometimes be hard to know what retail anti theft devices are right.

Might I suggest Checkpoint Security as the solution? I have had the opportunity to personally work with several different systems in my career. Checkpoint Security offers great products at a great price and their customer service is generally better than some of their competitors who will remain nameless. This is very important as you want to customize you security system to fit the needs of your business. Cookie cutter systems don’t work nearly as well as those designed with you needs in mind.

There are a variety of retail anti theft devices that you can get from Checkpoint. They offer the classic sensor tags that can be placed on product. You can now also get a variety of tags, both hard and soft, to better fit the exact type of product that you need to protect. Checkpoint Security also offers first class camera / DVR equipment for monitoring the store. Additionally, they offer full alarm systems to protect the building when you are not there.

Whatever help you need to prevent shoplifting, Checkpoint has the solution. I have been pleased with how they have helped me and I know that they can assist you in the never ending fight to prevent shoplifting.

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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Fully Integrated Tags are the new standard in clothing security.

September 3, 2011 by Staff Editor

We all know that in order to prevent shoplifting we have to apply security tags on clothes. While we agree that clothing security is important, I still often hear complaints about the time and effort it takes for store personnel to apply the clothing security tags. Now there is a better solution.

Checkpoint tags can be purchase as FIT or Fully Integrated Tags. These clothing security tags are actually the hang tag. Checkpoint creates the barcode, branding and other store specific data you want on your clothing hang tag and then place a clothing security tag inside. It is a one stop shop. You get the variable data tag that you need with the benefit of built in Checkpoint tags that work with your existing clothing alarm system. This serves several functions.

The first function is clothing security. You are putting security tags on clothes in order to prevent theft. The second function is you make the garment stylish. There are no visible tags to look at, but just the garment itself. The third function is time efficiency of your staff. No longer will your staff have to be tied down applying security tags on clothes. They can instead be focused on your customers and sales. Finally, you protect yourself from internal theft. If the employees are putting the clothing security tags on then they can skip the items they want to steal that have not yet been tagged. By having the manufacturer apply Checkpoint tags before the product even arrives to the store then you are also protecting yourself from employees who may want to take the product themselves.

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

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

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Have you noticed a large amount of voided transactions? Ever consider employee theft to be the problem???

September 1, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

I can already hear the questions. How are voids an employee theft issue? Isn’t that just a problem with customer satisfaction or training? The answer is “D” all of the above. Voids are a necessary evil. We would all like for customers to buy everything they come to the register with, but sometimes they change their minds about certain items or there is a problem at the payment time and the whole order has to be voided. The ability to do a void is often a source of employee theft, also known as internal theft. Here are some tips on how to do an employee theft investigation into voids.

Each day you need to review the voids from the previous day. This is best done if you have reporting software that can show you all of the voids easily and can break them down into frequency by cashier. If you don’t have this type of software this can be done by hand going through the journal tape.

Internal theft can occur with voids in a couple of ways. First, employee theft can occur by the employee voiding an item or two off for a friend and family member while still putting it in the bag. From video it looks like the item was scanned properly; however, the reality is it just got stolen.

The second way employee theft can occur is voiding the whole transaction. A cashier may ring up a legitimate customer, accept the cash and then void the transaction. Now the register has “extra” money that they can steal and it won’t show on your daily over/short report because the register thinks the transaction never happened.

Employee theft investigations are necessary in protecting your business. Unfortunately, internal theft is a real thing so it is worth the time to “dig in” and see what is going on.

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

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Stop Shoplifting with RF Labels

September 1, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

RF security labels are an option that businesses can consider when they are brainstorming on ways to stop shoplifting. Checkpoint security tags, such as an RF label, sound an alarm if someone attempts to steal the merchandise upon which the labels are attached. This alerts store employees that a possible theft is occurring.

There are thousands of options out there, but Checkpoint labels have a proven reputation. RF security tags attach easily to your high theft merchandise, and provide a visual deterrent to the customer considering shoplifting from your store. And if the visual deterrent is not enough, the risk of drawing attention to themselves by setting off a store alarm can be just as convincing. Shoplifters thrive on not gaining attention, so RF security tags can provide that unwanted attention just by being present on the merchandise you sell.

RF labels, which utilizes radio frequency in order to alert employees that merchandise is leaving the store, is a reliable way to protect your merchandise and help stop shoplifting within your business. Unprotected businesses can merchandise well and train employees to prevent theft, but with the added protection of RF security labels, your profits will increase while your theft decreases.

By having RF labels, you are telling the shoplifters to move on to another business. You are telling the shoplifter that you take loss prevention seriously and will not tolerate the impact shoplifting has on your business. Checkpoint labels are a proven industry leader in loss prevention solutions, and for minimal investment your business can experience the profitability and shrink reduction effects of RF technology.

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 – Atlanta Georgia

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Win the Battle with Retail Anti Theft Devices

September 1, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

There have been times in my career in retail loss prevention that it felt like it was impossible to prevent shoplifting. For every thief that we caught, it seemed that there were plenty more to take his or her place. For every employee that we fired for theft, there would soon be another one that we would hire.

Preventing loss due to shoplifting is an important part of every business, and businesses cannot give up when it seems the fight is an impossible one to win. In order to prevent shoplifting, the business owner has to have a mindset that the efforts that he or she is putting forth are for the better good – the profitability and very existence of the business. Shoplifting can be that detrimental to business – it can mean the difference between being open and having to shut down.

Retail anti theft devices are an option for retailers to explore if it seems that preventing shoplifting is becoming a losing battle. These devices are affixed to your high theft and high end merchandise, and are a visual deterrent to shoplifters. They also sound an alarm if they leave your business without being removed, and they are nearly impossible to remove without a key that your employees would have at the registers.

There are plenty of retail anti theft devices available for businesses to consider. It is a minimal investment that can provide maximum rewards, such as recovered sales, minimized loss due to shrink, and peace of mind for the business owner. Being able to prevent shoplifting does not have to be a losing battle; it can be a winning one with retail anti theft devices.

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 a must to stop large scale theft.

September 1, 2011 by Staff Editor

I am surprised as a consumer, and LP Professional, at how many small boutiques don’t use clothing security. For some, I know that cost is a factor as they are lower volume retailers and don’t have as much money to invest in expensive technology. For others, I find that it is basically a lack of understanding how much they are targeted by professional shoplifters because they don’t put security tags on clothes.

To address the first group, I would like to introduce you to Checkpoint tags. While it is not free by any means, Checkpoint tags are cost effective. The reality is, you can’t afford not to use a clothing alarm. If you really took a count I would virtually guarantee you are “spending” more in lost product than you would by investing in clothing security.

For the second group, you need to understand how much shoplifters hate clothing security tags. They hate them for several reasons. One is that they know Checkpoint tags are going to set off the clothing alarm and get them noticed. Shoplifters hate to be noticed; especially, the professionals. The reason is simple. They want to keep targeting your store repeatedly and they can’t if the employees learn who they are. Another reason shoplifters hate security tags on clothes is because without the proper detacher they can damage the merchandise which means they can’t wear it or worse; they can’t sell it.

Don’t let your store become a target for professional shoplifting simply because you don’t use clothing security tags. Force them to “shop” your competitors or dare them to battle Checkpoint tags. Either way, you can rest easier knowing your profits are safe.

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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If You Don’t Tag, You’re It

August 30, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

While the use of RF security tags is widespread in major retail stores, only a handful of smaller, locally owned retailers have an EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) system. The primary concern for small businesses is, of course, the upfront cost of the system. While EAS systems are not “cheap” neither is the amount of loss a retailer will see if they do not stop shoplifting from occurring.

The average retailer has a profit margin of only 2% once you include the cost for the product, labor, utilities and lease payment. This means that if a shoplifter steals one item that costs $30 the retailer would have to sell $1500 to recoup the money that was lost from one item being stolen. In all my experience, I have never met a retailer that could not recoup the cost of a Checkpoint system within the first year that the system was installed.

Checkpoint security tags and RF labels are easy to apply and become a part of your employee’s daily routine. You can attach Checkpoint labels and RF security tags to virtually any product or item that you do not want leaving your store. These items are not just for giant one-stop-shop stores but are for every store that decides that they want to stop shoplifting from erasing their profits. You might think that it costs a little more up front but if you run the numbers, an EAS system always wins.

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 or Checkpoint security tags or RF labels or RF security labelsor RF security tags and how to stop shoplifting contact us through RF label or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Spider wraps from Alpha. A great way to prevent shoplifting without preventing sales.

August 30, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Spider wraps from Alpha are the cutting edge in retail anti theft devices. We all know that it is important to prevent shoplifting in order to be successful. What we have all found is some retail anti theft devices have the unintended consequences of also preventing sales.

Locked cases are the death touch for sales. We have all used them and in some cases they are just plain necessary. The problem is customers don’t want to wait for an associate so they can read the info on a package and decide if it is the right product for them. Customers want to handle the product and when they can’t they don’t buy. Spider wraps are the answer to this quandary. The Spider wrap is a reusable wire that goes around boxed product and secures an alarm to the product. If the item with the Spider wrap tries to leave the store, via theft, then the alarm will sound. Additionally, if a really smart crook tries to cut the wire the alarm will sound. In case you have never used this product let me fill you in on a little secret. This is not a small alarm. This joker is loud and sure to draw lots of attention to the shoplifter. The result, shoplifters don’t mess with products in Spider wraps as there is no good way to beat this system.

Another positive about this is you can virtually do away with locked cases. Those high dollar items that you once had under lock and key can now be displayed on the shelf for customer to look at, handle and hopefully buy. In truth the product pays for itself in increased sales as well as prevent shoplifting. Not bad for a little ole retail anti theft device now is it?

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

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