20 WAYS TO STOP SHOPLIFTING AND OTHER COMMON FORMS OF LOSS – PT 2

June 2, 2018 by

4. Customer Service Culture

Probably the #1 problem in my high-risk stores is a lack of engagement from the teams. There’s a reason shrink is higher in some stores and most times it has a direct correlation to customer service levels. What’s so hard about telling a customer “hello”, or offering to assist them? This is quite frankly the most basic form of retail theft prevention and it really gets under my skin when I see employees avoid eye-contact and flat-out ignore my customers. THEY ARE THE REASON WE HAVE JOBS! Every person that enters your store should be treated like absolute royalty. Honest customers will appreciate this and your thieves will move down the road to an easier target. 

5. Store Design

Now, you don’t have to go and reinvent the wheel, but there are some very simple and inexpensive measures you can take that will stop shoplifting. For starters, install some mirrors in those pesky blind-spots, or wrap them around the entire perimeter of the store. It lets your staff easily monitor customers as well as thieves much easier. You can also “lighten” the place up a bit. Look for those darker spots and corners in the store and install better lighting. Thieves don’t want to be seen, so shining a spot light on their favorite corners will really put a crinkle in their day. One bigger move you can make is to eliminate any… well, bigger display units. If you can get your merchandise out on a 4 ft. grid as opposed to a 12ft grid, then do it. Keep your customers in eyesight and you’ll quickly realize that your thieves will hate it. 

6. Security Cameras and Public View Monitor

Here’s an easy test to determine if you need to have security cameras. Are you open to the public and do you sell things? If you answered yes, then you should have cameras. Not only do they work to stop shoplifting, they can help police identify those that take from you, try to break in after hours and can also be used to debunk “slip and fall” insurance claims. Cameras should be the first tool taken from your retail theft prevention tool kit.  I like to encourage stores to use a mix of “overt” cameras (the ones you can clearly see), “covert” (the ones you can’t) and public view monitors to really drive home the message. I also like to encourage the use of the public view monitor in other parts of the store than just the entrance. If you have a category that’s always being stolen, well put a big monitor that live streams a camera placement. There are various, low cost solutions that can fit any retailer’s budget. 

7. Checkpoint System

This really should go hand in hand with a security camera system. If you have merchandise that you sell to the general public, a Checkpoint system is an investment worth making. Where security cameras are a deterrent and can serve as an investigative tool, your Checkpoint system is actively working for you 24/7. You won’t know if a thief is walking out with your product, but your Checkpoint system will. Trust me, you’ll recoup that small investment in a month or two. You’ll also have more peace-of-mind knowing that someone (or something) is working to stop shoplifting in your store all hours of the day. 

8. Checkpoint Tags

Just like love, and marriage. You can’t have one without the other! Sure, you went ahead and bought that shiny new Checkpoint system, but you skimped out on the tags. That’s like buying a car, but not the wheels! Complete your retail theft prevention tool kit and make sure you are using the Checkpoint tags on everything that you can. If your thieves want to steal them, then protect them. You’ll find the little effort it takes to apply the tags is well worth the decrease in shrink. 

 

Get more information on retail theft prevention, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

 

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A Leather Coat Looks Good When It’s Protected With An Alpha Cable Lock

May 21, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Retail Anti-Theft Devices-3                                                                                        WC Blog 449
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A Leather Coat Looks Good When It’s Protected With An Alpha Cable Lock

     When I was a Loss Prevention Officer many years ago for a department store we carried a lot of high ticket merchandise, clothing, china, shoes, even candy. We were using retail anti-theft devices sparingly and only on some of our clothing. Those were mainly hard tags designed to prevent shoplifting through deterrence and alarm activations when would-be thieves would try to sneak tagged items out of the store. There was hesitation to use the tags on items made of silk or leather out of concern for the material. This made it difficult for my Loss Prevention Manager and me to protect special shipments of leather coats we would get from time to time. The store manager wanted them displayed but did not want to risk “damaging” leather with a hole from the pin that clipped the tag to the jacket. At the same time he also wanted people to try on coats to see if they liked them and to encourage sales. Talk about a task! That didn’t leave many options so my boss had a special fixture ordered that consisted of wire strands that looped into an alarm box on the fixture. If someone pulled a coat off and tried to run with it the idea was that the fixture alarm would sound. That was great as long as we regularly checked the 9 volt batteries to be sure they weren’t dying on us. It also required a sales associate to unlock the fixture, turn off the alarm and get a jacket off for a customer to try on. It was a barrel of laughs when two or more people wanted to try on coats. Try monitoring that! Oh, and the alarm was off while the coats were being tried on. Granted we did not have many alternatives back then but today the Alpha Cable Lock would be a super choice to use on leather coats.

      An Alpha Cable Lock comes in several sizes a retailer can choose from to prevent shoplifting. There are small sizes that are outstanding to use on purses, wallets, shoes, backpacks, etc. Larger sizes are available to be used on bicycles, infant strollers, and yes, leather coats. The locks have a built in LED light that flashes and let’s bad guys know the merchandise is protected and that deters theft. The locks also have a tamper alarm that sounds if the retail anti-theft device is tampered with in the store and workers can respond and find out what the commotion is about. You can believe me when I tell you it is a commotion when that alarm sounds! These locks also have electronic article surveillance (EAS) technology in them that sets off EAS towers set up at a store entrance and exit. Should a criminal decide they want to attempt to walk out with any merchandise protected with a lock the tower alarm would be set off. As with the tamper alarm employees will be alerted by the sound and respond to the door to stop a theft.

     You may be wondering in our situation why wasn’t an associate required to allow just one customer at a time to try on a leather coat and then re-arm the fixture? Couldn’t the other customers wait until it was their turn? We did want the fixtures to be re-armed but the reality was and is in any store, when there is more than just the one customer and you are trying to do your best to help you don’t always think things through. Could more employees have helped? Anyone who has worked in retail knows there are moments when there aren’t enough people to cover every place they are needed. Sometimes we feel like we are putting out one fire and the next one pops up. The beauty of the Alpha Cable Lock is that is removes the requirement for an employee to stand by while a customer tries on an item. The cable allows enough room for freedom of movement to try on a coat or jacket while providing optimal security should someone attempt to sneak out of the store with  merchandise that has one of these retail anti-theft devices on.

     Did we lose any leather coats? Yes unfortunately even with the “alarm” fixture we didn’t have 100% procedure compliance by all of our associates. Of course that never looks good at inventory time. Make sure you give your customers access to merchandise while you prevent shoplifting and guard your goods with EAS security. Use Alpha Cable Locks and Let your employees focus their attention on the customers that truly need assistance. See what Alpha Security can do for your bottom line.
Get more information on Alpha Cable Lock, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

When I was a Loss Prevention Officer many years ago for a department store we carried a lot of high ticket merchandise, clothing, china, shoes, even candy. We were using retail anti-theft devices sparingly and only on some of our clothing. Those were mainly hard tags designed to prevent shoplifting through deterrence and alarm activations when would-be thieves would try to sneak tagged items out of the store. There was hesitation to use the tags on items made of silk or leather out of concern for the material. This made it difficult for my Loss Prevention Manager and me to protect special shipments of leather coats we would get from time to time. The store manager wanted them displayed but did not want to risk “damaging” leather with a hole from the pin that clipped the tag to the jacket. At the same time he also wanted people to try on coats to see if they liked them and to encourage sales. Talk about a task! That didn’t leave many options so my boss had a special fixture ordered that consisted of wire strands that looped into an alarm box on the fixture. If someone pulled a coat off and tried to run with it the idea was that the fixture alarm would sound. That was great as long as we regularly checked the 9 volt batteries to be sure they weren’t dying on us. It also required a sales associate to unlock the fixture, turn off the alarm and get a jacket off for a customer to try on. It was a barrel of laughs when two or more people wanted to try on coats. Try monitoring that! Oh, and the alarm was off while the coats were being tried on. Granted we did not have many alternatives back then but today the Alpha Cable Lock would be a super choice to use on leather coats.
     

An Alpha Cable Lock comes in several sizes a retailer can choose from to prevent shoplifting. There are small sizes that are outstanding to use on purses, wallets, shoes, backpacks, etc. Larger sizes are available to be used on bicycles, infant strollers, and yes, leather coats. The locks have a built in LED light that flashes and let’s bad guys know the merchandise is protected and that deters theft. The locks also have a tamper alarm that sounds if the retail anti-theft device is tampered with in the store and workers can respond and find out what the commotion is about. You can believe me when I tell you it is a commotion when that alarm sounds! These locks also have electronic article surveillance (EAS) technology in them that sets off EAS towers set up at a store entrance and exit. Should a criminal decide they want to attempt to walk out with any merchandise protected with a lock the tower alarm would be set off. As with the tamper alarm employees will be alerted by the sound and respond to the door to stop a theft.
     

You may be wondering in our situation why wasn’t an associate required to allow just one customer at a time to try on a leather coat and then re-arm the fixture? Couldn’t the other customers wait until it was their turn? We did want the fixtures to be re-armed but the reality was and is in any store, when there is more than just the one customer and you are trying to do your best to help you don’t always think things through. Could more employees have helped? Anyone who has worked in retail knows there are moments when there aren’t enough people to cover every place they are needed. Sometimes we feel like we are putting out one fire and the next one pops up. The beauty of the Alpha Cable Lock is that is removes the requirement for an employee to stand by while a customer tries on an item. The cable allows enough room for freedom of movement to try on a coat or jacket while providing optimal security should someone attempt to sneak out of the store with  merchandise that has one of these retail anti-theft devices on.
     

Did we lose any leather coats? Yes unfortunately even with the “alarm” fixture we didn’t have 100% procedure compliance by all of our associates. Of course that never looks good at inventory time. Make sure you give your customers access to merchandise while you prevent shoplifting and guard your goods with EAS security. Use Alpha Cable Locks and Let your employees focus their attention on the customers that truly need assistance. See what Alpha Security can do for your bottom line.

 

Get more information on Alpha Cable Lock, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

 

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5 REASONS WHY I DON’T STEAL FROM STORES THAT PUT SECURITY TAGS ON CLOTHES

May 1, 2018 by Leave a Comment
5 REASONS WHY I DON’T STEAL FROM STORES THAT PUT SECURITY TAGS ON CLOTHES


Look, as a career criminal there are certain things that just bother me about retailers. For starters, I think I’ve made it very clear that I don’t want to work and I’d appreciate it if your stores would not make it so difficult for me to get things. I clearly don’t have money, so every time you use a Checkpoint Tag, you’re literally taking the clothes right off of my back. So, in order to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, these are the reasons why I avoid stores that take loss prevention seriously. 

1. I Can’t Carry all the Extra Equipment
Seriously man, I only have enough room for the stuff I want to steal in my bag. If I’m in a store that’s putting Security Tags on Clothes, I have to bring pliers, or magnets and all sorts of aluminum foil to *try and bypass the tags. All that extra junk makes me stick out and really takes up space in my booster bag. 

2. I Like to be in and out
Nothing frustrates me more than spending tons of time trying to steal one single item. I prefer stores that are “LP dumb”. I can stuff my bag and pants with no worries about an alarm going off at the door. The quicker I can get out of there, the better. Checkpoint Tags really slow me down. It would really help me out if you guys didn’t use them. 

3. I Hate When I’m Noticed
Nothing grinds my gears more than an employee seeing me messing with one of the Security Tags on Clothes. They always call a manager and they always ask me to leave. That’s terrible shoplifter service if you ask me. I hate trying to remove the tags myself since it brings so much unwanted attention to me. I love stores that don’t apply any EAS. I just grab what I want and steal away!

4. I Can’t Grab and Run
I am great and grab and runs! My favorite pastime is walking into a store, grabbing an entire rack of this season’s hottest outfit and running right out the front door. This way, I can sell the sizes I don’t need to all my shoplifter friends and dozens of places online. How else do you think I eat? I did a grab and run this one time at a store that used Checkpoint Tags, well the ones with ink in them and it ruined everything. All my shoplifting buddies made fun of me and they called me “Stealing Smurf” for the better part of 5 years. I’ve learned my lesson. Only steal clothes that are completely unprotected. 

5. Jail
First of all, I’m too pretty for jail. Second, I’ve yet to find any honor amongst my criminal friends. Third, I would have to call my mom to come bail me out, again. It’s bad enough I still live in the basement. But seriously, every time I see a store that puts Security Tags on Clothes, I jus turn around. There’s a good chance I’ll get caught and arrested and I’m just not about that life. So, please, I beg of you, stop securing your stuff. There are people who depend on you not doing it to survive. 


Clothing Security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk. 

Look, as a career criminal there are certain things that just bother me about retailers. For starters, I think I’ve made it very clear that I don’t want to work and I’d appreciate it if your stores would not make it so difficult for me to get things. I clearly don’t have money, so every time you use a Checkpoint Tag, you’re literally taking the clothes right off of my back. So, in order to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, these are the reasons why I avoid stores that take loss prevention seriously. 

 

1. I Can’t Carry all the Extra EquipmentSeriously man, I only have enough room for the stuff I want to steal in my bag. If I’m in a store that’s putting Security Tags on Clothes, I have to bring pliers, or magnets and all sorts of aluminum foil to *try and bypass the tags. All that extra junk makes me stick out and really takes up space in my booster bag. 

 

2. I Like to be in and outNothing frustrates me more than spending tons of time trying to steal one single item. I prefer stores that are “LP dumb”. I can stuff my bag and pants with no worries about an alarm going off at the door. The quicker I can get out of there, the better. Checkpoint Tags really slow me down. It would really help me out if you guys didn’t use them. 

 

 3. I Hate When I’m NoticedNothing grinds my gears more than an employee seeing me messing with one of the Security Tags on Clothes. They always call a manager and they always ask me to leave. That’s terrible shoplifter service if you ask me. I hate trying to remove the tags myself since it brings so much unwanted attention to me. I love stores that don’t apply any EAS. I just grab what I want and steal away!

 

4. I Can’t Grab and RunI am great and grab and runs! My favorite pastime is walking into a store, grabbing an entire rack of this season’s hottest outfit and running right out the front door. This way, I can sell the sizes I don’t need to all my shoplifter friends and dozens of places online. How else do you think I eat? I did a grab and run this one time at a store that used Checkpoint Tags, well the ones with ink in them and it ruined everything. All my shoplifting buddies made fun of me and they called me “Stealing Smurf” for the better part of 5 years. I’ve learned my lesson. Only steal clothes that are completely unprotected. 

 

5. JailFirst of all, I’m too pretty for jail. Second, I’ve yet to find any honor amongst my criminal friends. Third, I would have to call my mom to come bail me out, again. It’s bad enough I still live in the basement. But seriously, every time I see a store that puts Security Tags on Clothes, I jus turn around. There’s a good chance I’ll get caught and arrested and I’m just not about that life. So, please, I beg of you, stop securing your stuff. There are people who depend on you not doing it to survive. 

Clothing Security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk. 

 

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Knowledge Of Anti-Theft Devices Can Help Others Prevent Shoplifting; Your Management Knowledge Can Help Others Improve Their Future Part 2

April 24, 2018 by Leave a Comment

 

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Knowledge Of Anti-Theft Devices Can Help Others Prevent Shoplifting; Your Management Knowledge Can Help Others Improve Their Future Part 2
     In part 1 I discussed the fact that most of us think of how we will benefit when opportunity knocks and we take advantage of it. We weigh the pros and cons of that opportunity and choose whether to accept it or not. How will it affect us? Will it open a new job for us, perhaps a promotion or could it lead to a new leadership role? There are so many things that happen when opportunity presents itself. I gave an example of how an application I put in for a Loss Prevention Associate job turned into an offer to be the Loss Prevention Manager for the same store. Sometimes we are presented with an opportunity but when we consider all factors we decide not to accept it. A number of years ago I was looking for employment and based on my knowledge of how to prevent shoplifting, how to use retail anti-theft devices and investigate internal theft a part-time job was offered as a Loss Prevention Associate. The possibility it could lead to a full-time position was tempting but there were other circumstances that caused me to turn it down. Retail managers can help young people learn the skills and recognize opportunities that may help them be successful as they grow older.
     Since I have already mentioned it I do want to briefly discuss what it means to prevent shoplifting so it will make more sense in how I was presented my opportunity in career advancement. To prevent shoplifting in a retail store it takes at least a minimum of using retail anti-theft devices and customer service. The customer service gives potential thieves more attention than they want. Greeting people as they walk into the store, making eye contact and offering superior service takes away the opportunity for a shoplifter to steal. It also requires a strong customer service culture to respond to electronic article surveillance systems when security tagged merchandise activates alarm towers at the front doors of a store. A timely response to an alarm going off gives stores a chance to conduct receipt checks and recover merchandise a thief is trying to steal. While it is desirable to have some type of security or Loss Prevention Staff in place it isn’t necessarily required, especially for stores that may not have a budget to afford it. A trained store team can deter a significant amount of theft. Having experience and demonstrated understanding of the role of Loss Prevention in a store’s profitability helped me when opportunity knocked.
     You managers have the ability to help others more than you may think. How you lead your employees influences how they will lead others one day. The old saying, “Actions speak louder than words” comes to mind. Have you told people you have an open door policy but you keep it closed all of the time? When you give a corrective action, especially to a younger worker do you take time to explain the “whys” for that action? You do a disservice to someone if you write them up for being tardy too often and don’t follow it up with a conversation about how those actions impact their fellow employees. Perhaps you have a policy that prohibits cell phones on the salesfloor yet you find one of your younger employees texting while working, do they understand how that phone interferes with customer service? I recall when I was a new Loss Prevention Manager and blew up at two members of my team. Though I had told them only one could be in the security office at a time, I caught both in there watching cameras. I chewed them out and told them why they couldn’t be in there at the same time but I may not have been clear enough when I first covered the policy with each of them. I thought about the incident later and tried to change my style but it is hard to undo what has already been done.
     On the flip side of the negatives, I also made a point of encouraging my L.P. staff to interview for other L.P. jobs even if they had no intention of leaving. I conducted mock interviews with them and taught them how to incorporate their knowledge of retail anti-theft devices and how to prevent shoplifting. I explained that each interview was an opportunity to get more experience at it and be better prepared for the future. Are you giving your employees opportunities? Are you stretching them to do more? Whether it is store operations or Loss Prevention you can make opportunities happen for others the question is, “Will you?”
For more information about retail anti-theft devices contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
   

In part 1 I discussed the fact that most of us think of how we will benefit when opportunity knocks and we take advantage of it. We weigh the pros and cons of that opportunity and choose whether to accept it or not. How will it affect us? Will it open a new job for us, perhaps a promotion or could it lead to a new leadership role? There are so many things that happen when opportunity presents itself. I gave an example of how an application I put in for a Loss Prevention Associate job turned into an offer to be the Loss Prevention Manager for the same store. Sometimes we are presented with an opportunity but when we consider all factors we decide not to accept it. A number of years ago I was looking for employment and based on my knowledge of how to prevent shoplifting, how to use retail anti-theft devices and investigate internal theft a part-time job was offered as a Loss Prevention Associate. The possibility it could lead to a full-time position was tempting but there were other circumstances that caused me to turn it down. Retail managers can help young people learn the skills and recognize opportunities that may help them be successful as they grow older.

Since I have already mentioned it I do want to briefly discuss what it means to prevent shoplifting so it will make more sense in how I was presented my opportunity in career advancement. To prevent shoplifting in a retail store it takes at least a minimum of using retail anti-theft devices and customer service. The customer service gives potential thieves more attention than they want. Greeting people as they walk into the store, making eye contact and offering superior service takes away the opportunity for a shoplifter to steal. It also requires a strong customer service culture to respond to electronic article surveillance systems when security tagged merchandise activates alarm towers at the front doors of a store. A timely response to an alarm going off gives stores a chance to conduct receipt checks and recover merchandise a thief is trying to steal. While it is desirable to have some type of security or Loss Prevention Staff in place it isn’t necessarily required, especially for stores that may not have a budget to afford it. A trained store team can deter a significant amount of theft. Having experience and demonstrated understanding of the role of Loss Prevention in a store’s profitability helped me when opportunity knocked.

You managers have the ability to help others more than you may think. How you lead your employees influences how they will lead others one day. The old saying, “Actions speak louder than words” comes to mind. Have you told people you have an open door policy but you keep it closed all of the time? When you give a corrective action, especially to a younger worker do you take time to explain the “whys” for that action? You do a disservice to someone if you write them up for being tardy too often and don’t follow it up with a conversation about how those actions impact their fellow employees. Perhaps you have a policy that prohibits cell phones on the salesfloor yet you find one of your younger employees texting while working, do they understand how that phone interferes with customer service? I recall when I was a new Loss Prevention Manager and blew up at two members of my team. Though I had told them only one could be in the security office at a time, I caught both in there watching cameras. I chewed them out and told them why they couldn’t be in there at the same time but I may not have been clear enough when I first covered the policy with each of them. I thought about the incident later and tried to change my style but it is hard to undo what has already been done.

On the flip side of the negatives, I also made a point of encouraging my L.P. staff to interview for other L.P. jobs even if they had no intention of leaving. I conducted mock interviews with them and taught them how to incorporate their knowledge of retail anti-theft devices and how to prevent shoplifting. I explained that each interview was an opportunity to get more experience at it and be better prepared for the future. Are you giving your employees opportunities? Are you stretching them to do more? Whether it is store operations or Loss Prevention you can make opportunities happen for others the question is, “Will you?”

 

For more information about retail anti-theft devices, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
   

 

 

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Proper Clothing Security Can Defeat ORC Groups Part 2

April 4, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Clothing Security-3                                                                                                                           WC Blog 487
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Proper Clothing Security Can Defeat ORC Groups Part 2

      In Part 1 of this article on clothing security I was dealing with issues I read in an online story about a $20 million theft ring that was broken up by authorities. The story by Chris Morran, posted on 9/7/17, “Feds Break Up $20M Shoplifting Ring That Stole Clothing From Coast To Coast” https://consumerist.com/2017/09/07/feds-break-up-20m-shoplifting-ring-that-stole-clothing-from-coast-to-coast/  discussed the methods used by the group to get away with such an extensive crime spree. In part 1 I started to discuss the methods the group employed and as a former Loss Prevention Manager, my tips on how retailers can combat these predators. While my suggestions can be used by any retailer, they are really geared to the small and medium sized stores which in all likelihood do not have the ability to hire as many associates as national chains stores. One thing that is a must in combating these criminals and ALL stores can afford is to use Checkpoint tags and electronic article surveillance towers.

     I am sure I got the attention of some who are reading this and have no idea what Checkpoint tags are or what an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tower is. The tags are clothing security devices that deter and prevent shoplifting. The devices are two-piece designs of tested, hard plastic materiel that pin and clip together onto a piece of clothing. The tags require a special removal tool in order to get them off of a garment and most stores keep these tools secured at their cash registers. Without the use of the tool products are torn and damaged when a shoplifter attempts to forcibly remove them. Of course, once damaged the merchandise is useless. The tag itself is not the only protection provided when applied to garments. Checkpoint tags also operate using EAS technology and they emit a signal on a specific radio frequency. When tagged goods are carried in the detection field of EAS towers the towers activate a blaring alarm and flashing lights. Employees immediately respond to the alarm and conduct receipt checks and the offender can either relinquish the item or purchase it. In many situations a tower alarm scares a shoplifter and they will simply drop the merchandise they were trying to steal and run.

     In Part 1 I talked about the use of “blockers” as a tactic this group employed and how they could be thwarted with a small staff. Other points the author made mentioned that the group would send someone into a store in advance to move merchandise to a location that would make theft easier. This person would set up the products and another person(s) would go in a commit the crime. Store managers; train your employees to look for merchandise that seems “out of place” and perhaps in an area of the store that is off the main track. It is possible it is being set up for a theft. All employees should be made aware of what was found and then the merchandise should be put back in the proper location. Later, you may have an employee walk up on a person who is clearly looking around that area trying to find the items you put back. Customer service them to death, get a good description and pass that information to the entire store team. If you have a camera system, retrieve a picture from it and keep it in an off-stage area or breakroom so employees can see it and be aware.

     Another tactic that this Organized Theft Ring employed was the use of “booster bags”. These are foil- lined bags intended to defeat EAS systems by disrupting the radio signal sent out by the clothing security tags. They aren’t fool-proof and should not scare you. Booster bags are often a brown bag with a handle or some type of large gift bag.  Criminals like these because they can fold them up and pull them out once in a store. Teach employees to watch for shoppers carrying gift bags through the store or bags from stores other than yours. Someone who brings an item in to try to match it to your merchandise will be happy to show you what they have. The other thing you can do is purchase a Checkpoint tower that has software designed to detect foils when a bag is brought into the store. A quick aside, Organized Theft Rings (ORC’s) are professional shoplifters with an established hierarchy. These groups send workers out with specific “shopping” lists to steal, paying a small percentage of the value of the goods to the worker. The leaders turn around and resell the merchandise, undercutting legitimate businesses.

     ORC groups don’t have to be a threat to your store. Using Checkpoint tags and towers and training employees on how to identify and prevent theft can keep your business profitable. You have the ability to defeat these criminals.
Need information on Checkpoint tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.

      



     

In Part 1 of this article on clothing security I was dealing with issues I read in an online story about a $20 million theft ring that was broken up by authorities. The story by Chris Morran, posted on 9/7/17, “Feds Break Up $20M Shoplifting Ring That Stole Clothing From Coast To Coast” https://consumerist.com/2017/09/07/feds-break-up-20m-shoplifting-ring-that-stole-clothing-from-coast-to-coast/  discussed the methods used by the group to get away with such an extensive crime spree. In part 1 I started to discuss the methods the group employed and as a former Loss Prevention Manager, my tips on how retailers can combat these predators. While my suggestions can be used by any retailer, they are really geared to the small and medium sized stores which in all likelihood do not have the ability to hire as many associates as national chains stores. One thing that is a must in combating these criminals and ALL stores can afford is to use Checkpoint tags and electronic article surveillance towers.
     

I am sure I got the attention of some who are reading this and have no idea what Checkpoint tags are or what an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tower is. The tags are clothing security devices that deter and prevent shoplifting. The devices are two-piece designs of tested, hard plastic materiel that pin and clip together onto a piece of clothing. The tags require a special removal tool in order to get them off of a garment and most stores keep these tools secured at their cash registers. Without the use of the tool products are torn and damaged when a shoplifter attempts to forcibly remove them. Of course, once damaged the merchandise is useless. The tag itself is not the only protection provided when applied to garments. Checkpoint tags also operate using EAS technology and they emit a signal on a specific radio frequency. When tagged goods are carried in the detection field of EAS towers the towers activate a blaring alarm and flashing lights. Employees immediately respond to the alarm and conduct receipt checks and the offender can either relinquish the item or purchase it. In many situations a tower alarm scares a shoplifter and they will simply drop the merchandise they were trying to steal and run.
     

In Part 1 I talked about the use of “blockers” as a tactic this group employed and how they could be thwarted with a small staff. Other points the author made mentioned that the group would send someone into a store in advance to move merchandise to a location that would make theft easier. This person would set up the products and another person(s) would go in a commit the crime. Store managers; train your employees to look for merchandise that seems “out of place” and perhaps in an area of the store that is off the main track. It is possible it is being set up for a theft. All employees should be made aware of what was found and then the merchandise should be put back in the proper location. Later, you may have an employee walk up on a person who is clearly looking around that area trying to find the items you put back. Customer service them to death, get a good description and pass that information to the entire store team. If you have a camera system, retrieve a picture from it and keep it in an off-stage area or breakroom so employees can see it and be aware.
     

Another tactic that this Organized Theft Ring employed was the use of “booster bags”. These are foil- lined bags intended to defeat EAS systems by disrupting the radio signal sent out by the clothing security tags. They aren’t fool-proof and should not scare you. Booster bags are often a brown bag with a handle or some type of large gift bag. Criminals like these because they can fold them up and pull them out once in a store. Teach employees to watch for shoppers carrying gift bags through the store or bags from stores other than yours. Someone who brings an item in to try to match it to your merchandise will be happy to show you what they have. The other thing you can do is purchase a Checkpoint tower that has software designed to detect foils when a bag is brought into the store. A quick aside, Organized Theft Rings (ORC’s) are professional shoplifters with an established hierarchy. These groups send workers out with specific “shopping” lists to steal, paying a small percentage of the value of the goods to the worker. The leaders turn around and resell the merchandise, undercutting legitimate businesses.
     

ORC groups don’t have to be a threat to your store. Using Checkpoint tags and towers and training employees on how to identify and prevent theft can keep your business profitable. You have the ability to defeat these criminals.

 

Need information on Checkpoint tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
      

     

 

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Knowledge Of Anti-Theft Devices Can Help Others Prevent Shoplifting; Your Management Knowledge Can Help Others Improve Their Future Part 1

March 22, 2018 by Leave a Comment
     Opportunity knocks so they say and we want to think we are ready to answer that door and invite it in. When we hear the saying, “Opportunity Knocks” I wonder just how many of us think of it in terms of something that can benefit US if we accept it? I think back to my early years in Retail Loss Prevention. I was a Loss Prevention Associate for a department store and doing well in that role catching a lot of shoplifters and assisting in a few internal investigations. Opportunity for me knocked when a new big box retail store was coming to our area and was looking for Loss Prevention Associates. I applied only for the opportunity for a little better pay. I figured I had an advantage with my knowledge of retail anti-theft devices such as an Alpha ink tag and how to prevent shoplifting. I also had my U.S. Air Force Law Enforcement experience as a key part of my resume. Well, I was interviewed for the position and due to some unforeseen circumstances the person who was going to transfer for the L.P. Manager position changed his mind. Based on my interview, Loss Prevention experience and college degree I was offered the Loss Prevention Manager position. I say I was blessed with the opportunity and when it was presented I accepted.  While I use this example of an opportunity that was presented to me, I also like to look for opportunities when I can give to others. It may be my knowledge of retail anti-theft devices or my years of experience as a manager. I want to help other retail managers understand that there are times when they can be the agent of presenting opportunities to others.
     Before I do that I do want to be sure to clarify what I mean by retail anti-theft devices like the Alpha ink tag. As the name implies retail anti-theft devices are tools used by retailers to deter and prevent shoplifters from stealing merchandise. The types of devices I am specifically referring to utilize radio frequency technology that passes a radio wave between a tag and an electronic article surveillance tower. If a tagged item is carried too close to a tower alarms are set off and employees are alerted that someone is approached the doors with unpaid product. Some devices use an additional security feature to deter theft. The Alpha ink tag is one such device incorporating the radio frequency technology AND ink. If a shoplifter attempts to force an ink tag off of an item it will spread the ink and stain the merchandise rendering it useless to the criminal. This will prevent shoplifting since bad guys tend to leave protected merchandise alone not wanting to chance being noticed or caught when attempting to steal.
     As I was saying I would like to suggest that instead of looking for opportunities that will benefit ourselves what if we as managers made opportunities knock for others? Let me give an example from my own experiences. I work part-time as a sales associate for an office supply store. I use my knowledge of Loss Prevention and shortage prevention to make suggestions to the store manager that I think would enhance security or drive profitable sales. .  I have made suggestions that could help prevent shoplifting such as adding additional security measures to some items.  I have made suggestions to change forms that would make researching out of stocks more efficient. The suggestions might not be very beneficial to me but for my manager they could be extremely beneficial in terms of efficiency.
     I also had a conversation with a young co-worker recently. He was hired in a temporary seasonal position and started to tell me about how he was not sure he would be hired back when the opportunity arose. I asked if he had been given any feedback regarding his performance and he said he had. I used this time to give him some unsolicited suggestions for future jobs he might hold. I let him know that the suggestions were based on my experiences as a manager. Whether he chooses to use the feedback or not is his prerogative but he has been provided an opportunity that can aid him in future success if he is open to it.
     In part 2 of this article I will give some additional suggestions for how you as a manager or store owner can be the instigator of opportunity for someone else. It may be as simple as suggesting the use of an Alpha ink tag to a clothing store owner to improve shortage or giving feedback to a young employee.
Get more information on retail anti-theft devices, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today

Opportunity knocks so they say and we want to think we are ready to answer that door and invite it in. When we hear the saying, “Opportunity Knocks” I wonder just how many of us think of it in terms of something that can benefit US if we accept it? I think back to my early years in Retail Loss Prevention. I was a Loss Prevention Associate for a department store and doing well in that role catching a lot of shoplifters and assisting in a few internal investigations. Opportunity for me knocked when a new big box retail store was coming to our area and was looking for Loss Prevention Associates. I applied only for the opportunity for a little better pay. I figured I had an advantage with my knowledge of retail anti-theft devices such as an Alpha ink tag and how to prevent shoplifting. I also had my U.S. Air Force Law Enforcement experience as a key part of my resume. Well, I was interviewed for the position and due to some unforeseen circumstances the person who was going to transfer for the L.P. Manager position changed his mind. Based on my interview, Loss Prevention experience and college degree I was offered the Loss Prevention Manager position. I say I was blessed with the opportunity and when it was presented I accepted.  While I use this example of an opportunity that was presented to me, I also like to look for opportunities when I can give to others. It may be my knowledge of retail anti-theft devices or my years of experience as a manager. I want to help other retail managers understand that there are times when they can be the agent of presenting opportunities to others.

Before I do that I do want to be sure to clarify what I mean by retail anti-theft devices like the Alpha ink tag. As the name implies retail anti-theft devices are tools used by retailers to deter and prevent shoplifters from stealing merchandise. The types of devices I am specifically referring to utilize radio frequency technology that passes a radio wave between a tag and an electronic article surveillance tower. If a tagged item is carried too close to a tower, alarms are set off and employees are alerted that someone approached the doors with unpaid product. Some devices use an additional security feature to deter theft. The Alpha ink tag is one such device incorporating the radio frequency technology AND ink. If a shoplifter attempts to force an ink tag off of an item it will spread the ink and stain the merchandise rendering it useless to the criminal. This will prevent shoplifting since bad guys tend to leave protected merchandise alone not wanting to chance being noticed or caught when attempting to steal.

As I was saying I would like to suggest that instead of looking for opportunities that will benefit ourselves what if we as managers made opportunities knock for others? Let me give an example from my own experiences. I work part-time as a sales associate for an office supply store. I use my knowledge of Loss Prevention and shortage prevention to make suggestions to the store manager that I think would enhance security or drive profitable sales. I have made suggestions that could help prevent shoplifting such as adding additional security measures to some items.  I have made suggestions to change forms that would make researching out of stocks more efficient. The suggestions might not be very beneficial to me but for my manager they could be extremely beneficial in terms of efficiency.

I also had a conversation with a young co-worker recently. He was hired in a temporary seasonal position and started to tell me about how he was not sure he would be hired back when the opportunity arose. I asked if he had been given any feedback regarding his performance and he said he had. I used this time to give him some unsolicited suggestions for future jobs he might hold. I let him know that the suggestions were based on my experiences as a manager. Whether he chooses to use the feedback or not is his prerogative but he has been provided an opportunity that can aid him in future success if he is open to it.

In part 2 of this article I will give some additional suggestions for how you as a manager or store owner can be the instigator of opportunity for someone else. It may be as simple as suggesting the use of an Alpha ink tag to a clothing store owner to improve shortage or giving feedback to a young employee.

 

Get more information on retail anti-theft devices, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today

 

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With:

Proper Clothing Security Can Defeat ORC Groups Part 1

March 2, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Clothing Security-4                                                                                                                        WC Blog 486
Clothing security tags-3

Proper Clothing Security Can Defeat ORC Groups Part 1

     I read a story recently about a shoplifting ring that bypassed store clothing security efforts and in the process got away with over 20 million dollars of clothing.  The article discussed how the group’s reached extended across the entire nation hitting a variety of retail establishments. The members of this group are accused of having stolen more than $3,000 of merchandise in one store in a single day and more than $4,000 from a Victoria’s Secret on another occasion. Consumerist.com “Feds Break Up $20M Shoplifting Ring that Stole Clothing From Coast To Coast”, 9/7/17 by Chris Morran.   https://consumerist.com/2017/09/07/feds-break-up-20m-shoplifting-ring-that-stole-clothing-from-coast-to-coast/. The writer goes into detail on how the group operated but I was especially interested in the methods the group used to defeat clothing security tags and other efforts to stop shoplifting by the stores that were victimized. 

     Clothing security tags, for readers who may not be familiar with them, are tags that can be pinned to clothing and have electronic article surveillance technology embedded in them.  The electronic article surveillance or EAS is a radio wave that the tags send out and if picked up by a receiver known as an EAS tower an alarm is set off. The tower alarm serves as a warning to store employees that merchandise with a security tag on it is about to leave the store. Staff members trained on how to respond to an alarm go to the doors and conduct receipt checks and either get a person to buy merchandise or turn it over to them. In many instances a would-be shoplifter is scared off and will drop the items they intended to steal. So a reader is not confused, the tags used for clothing security are not the same or even similar to manufacturer hang tags. The devices I am referring to are made of an extremely hard plastic material. They are durable enough to withstand years of use. One side of the tag has a pin that is inserted through the material and the other piece is a clip that covers the exposed pin on the other side of the garment. The seal is tight and prevents someone from trying to remove the device without tearing into the clothing. In order to remove a tag without damaging to product a store associate must use a removal tool designed to do this.

     Getting back to the story I was telling you about, as a Loss Prevention Manager with nearly 17 years of Retail Loss Prevention experience, I was interested in the tactics used by the group. I know first-hand that clothing security when done properly can defeat even Organized Retail Crime Organizations such as the one in the article. One of the methods described was that the group would scout a store in advance to see if Loss Prevention Officers or police were present. It did not say of these stores were avoided only that they wanted to know If they were utilized. Not all stores can afford Loss Prevention or police but that does not mean a store cannot protect merchandise. Training employees on providing great customer service and how to recognize signs of potential shoplifters can be almost as effective. Then I noted that the story went on to say that the group would use “blockers”. I have encountered this trick and it can be countered but store teams have to understand how they work. Blockers are usually not the actual shoplifters. The job of a blocker is to distract employees, prevent them from seeing the actual thief or in extreme cases block an employee from following a shoplifter. 

     To identify if this ploy is being used store employees must be in contact with one another preferably by radio. If it seems there are multiple shopliftings or suspicious people in the store at the same time they may be “blockers” and trying to spread out the employees. This can be effective if a store has a small staff since they can’t be at the registers and covering all areas of the floor. If a small or medium sized store has an EAS system and is using clothing security tags the best method to combat these groups is to pull two or three staff members to the doors where the EAS towers are located. Before the shoplifter can exit, tagged merchandise will set off the tower alarm and receipt checks can be conducted.

     In Part 2, I will review other means used by the group in the article and discuss how your store can avoid being a victim. It is important to remember that your first priority in clothing security is to get an EAS system. The best protection programs revolve around that.
Clothing security is important and we can help you with it. Call1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

I read a story recently about a shoplifting ring that bypassed store clothing security efforts and in the process got away with over 20 million dollars of clothing.  The article discussed how the group’s reached extended across the entire nation hitting a variety of retail establishments. The members of this group are accused of having stolen more than $3,000 of merchandise in one store in a single day and more than $4,000 from a Victoria’s Secret on another occasion. Consumerist.com “Feds Break Up $20M Shoplifting Ring that Stole Clothing From Coast To Coast”, 9/7/17 by Chris Morran.   https://consumerist.com/2017/09/07/feds-break-up-20m-shoplifting-ring-that-stole-clothing-from-coast-to-coast/. The writer goes into detail on how the group operated but I was especially interested in the methods the group used to defeat clothing security tags and other efforts to stop shoplifting by the stores that were victimized. 
     

Clothing security tags, for readers who may not be familiar with them, are tags that can be pinned to clothing and have electronic article surveillance technology embedded in them. The electronic article surveillance or EAS is a radio wave that the tags send out and if picked up by a receiver known as an EAS tower an alarm is set off. The tower alarm serves as a warning to store employees that merchandise with a security tag on it is about to leave the store. Staff members trained on how to respond to an alarm go to the doors and conduct receipt checks and either get a person to buy merchandise or turn it over to them. In many instances a would-be shoplifter is scared off and will drop the items they intended to steal. So a reader is not confused, the tags used for clothing security are not the same or even similar to manufacturer hang tags. The devices I am referring to are made of an extremely hard plastic material. They are durable enough to withstand years of use. One side of the tag has a pin that is inserted through the material and the other piece is a clip that covers the exposed pin on the other side of the garment. The seal is tight and prevents someone from trying to remove the device without tearing into the clothing. In order to remove a tag without damaging to product a store associate must use a removal tool designed to do this.
     

Getting back to the story I was telling you about, as a Loss Prevention Manager with nearly 17 years of Retail Loss Prevention experience, I was interested in the tactics used by the group. I know first-hand that clothing security when done properly can defeat even Organized Retail Crime Organizations such as the one in the article. One of the methods described was that the group would scout a store in advance to see if Loss Prevention Officers or police were present. It did not say of these stores were avoided only that they wanted to know If they were utilized. Not all stores can afford Loss Prevention or police but that does not mean a store cannot protect merchandise. Training employees on providing great customer service and how to recognize signs of potential shoplifters can be almost as effective. Then I noted that the story went on to say that the group would use “blockers”. I have encountered this trick and it can be countered but store teams have to understand how they work. Blockers are usually not the actual shoplifters. The job of a blocker is to distract employees, prevent them from seeing the actual thief or in extreme cases block an employee from following a shoplifter. 
     

To identify if this ploy is being used store employees must be in contact with one another preferably by radio. If it seems there are multiple shopliftings or suspicious people in the store at the same time they may be “blockers” and trying to spread out the employees. This can be effective if a store has a small staff since they can’t be at the registers and covering all areas of the floor. If a small or medium sized store has an EAS system and is using clothing security tags the best method to combat these groups is to pull two or three staff members to the doors where the EAS towers are located. Before the shoplifter can exit, tagged merchandise will set off the tower alarm and receipt checks can be conducted.
     

In Part 2, I will review other means used by the group in the article and discuss how your store can avoid being a victim. It is important to remember that your first priority in clothing security is to get an EAS system. The best protection programs revolve around that.

 

Clothing security is important and we can help you with it. Call1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

20 WAYS TO STOP SHOPLIFTING AND OTHER COMMON FORMS OF LOSS – PT1

March 1, 2018 by

 

20 WAYS TO STOP SHOPLIFTING AND OTHER COMMON FORMS OF LOSS – PT1
It’s easier than you think to Stop Shoplifting. With some common-sense type approaches, basic policies and a little work, there are a few easy steps that you can take right now to start improving your bottom line. I’ve compiled a list of 20 for you to review. Which one applies most to your store?
1. Unattended keys
Seriously, this is my biggest pet peeve. You spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on showcases to display those really expensive items and you leave the keys laying around, in plain view. Drives me absolutely up the wall. Retail Theft Prevention strategies are only as good as the weakest link. Here’s a quick story. I was in one of my stores this past week and found the keys to the electronics in plain sight near a desk. There’s not some magical barrier that would prevent a thief from walking into our office! Let’s not also believe that we don’t have dishonest employees working for us, either. So, I took the keys and completely emptied out the case. I asked a manager if they were having a good sale since they were all out of product. I think I gave her a mini-heart attack, but I made my point. Keys should be secured to your person, or in a lock box. Nowhere else.
2. Protect valuable merchandise
You would think that I would not have to say this, but I do. If you have extremely valuable merchandise, then protect it! I’m not talking about candy bars, I’m talking about your high dollar sunglasses, designer purses, $100+ cologne, etc. If it’s valuable to you, it’s valuable to a thief. Never sit back and just accept a loss as a part of “doing business”. You can and should be proactive in order to prevent losses. Your bottom line depends on it. If your Retail Theft Prevention tools and security cameras aren’t doing the trick, look into purchasing security fixtures, or locked showcases. There is an endless array of Loss Prevention solutions on the market aimed to Stop Shoplifting and retain profits. 
3. Got a dressing room? Monitor it.
This one goes out to all my apparel retailers. How many of you have a dressing room, but no employee assigned to it? All of you? That’s what I thought. You probably have said to yourself countless times that you simply can’t afford to hire a person to be in your fitting room all day, every day. Well, you my friend are 100% wrong. You can’t afford not to. We did a study a few years back (and I’ll admit my company is still stubborn and our dressing rooms aren’t staffed) and we found that we lost about $250 a day to theft. That’s only one store. You’re not paying an hourly employee $250/day. You may not lose that much, or you may be losing more, but you get the point. An employee monitoring the fitting room will Stop Shoplifting, especially if you limit the number of garments and count them when they enter and when they exit. 
4. Take returns? Have a policy. 
If you hadn’t realized that your return policy can cost you money yet, then you’ve got some work to do. With return fraud becoming the biggest scam on earth, wardrobing and customer’s returning bricks in boxes, a loose return policy can spell trouble for your bottom line. First, you should be very clear on what can be returned and what cannot. Second, you have to train your staff to meet your expectations and to look for those clues that they are being taken advantage of. Of course, you’ll need to bend your policy every now and then for a legitimate customer, but don’t ignore your gut. If you don’t get a warm and fuzzy feeling, your instincts are probably right. 
5. Overhead PA announcements
One of my favorite things to do to shoplifters and it’s also the most low-tech Retail Theft Prevention tool out there. Sometimes, if I want to have a little fun with a known thief, I’ll use the overhead PA to my advantage. Let’s say the thief is in Men’s activewear. I’ll page “the customer in blue needs assistance in men’s”. When the thief hears that, chances are they will quickly move to another location. When they do, I’ll repeat the process. If I really want to have some fun, I’ll page “The police officer that was looking for ‘item X’, please come to ‘x location’. Of course, the location is where the shoplifter is at. This usually does the trick and your thief will usually haul-tail out the door. Who says retail has to be boring? It’s your store, have some fun!
 
For more information about Retail Theft Prevention contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.

It’s easier than you think to stop shoplifting. With some common-sense type approaches, basic policies and a little work, there are a few easy steps that you can take right now to start improving your bottom line. I’ve compiled a list of 20 for you to review. Which one applies most to your store?

1. Unattended keys

Seriously, this is my biggest pet peeve. You spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on showcases to display those really expensive items and you leave the keys laying around, in plain view. Drives me absolutely up the wall. Retail Theft Prevention strategies are only as good as the weakest link. Here’s a quick story. I was in one of my stores this past week and found the keys to the electronics in plain sight near a desk. There’s not some magical barrier that would prevent a thief from walking into our office! Let’s not also believe that we don’t have dishonest employees working for us, either. So, I took the keys and completely emptied out the case. I asked a manager if they were having a good sale since they were all out of product. I think I gave her a mini-heart attack, but I made my point. Keys should be secured to your person, or in a lock box. Nowhere else.

2. Protect valuable merchandise

You would think that I would not have to say this, but I do. If you have extremely valuable merchandise, then protect it! I’m not talking about candy bars, I’m talking about your high dollar sunglasses, designer purses, $100+ cologne, etc. If it’s valuable to you, it’s valuable to a thief. Never sit back and just accept a loss as a part of “doing business”. You can and should be proactive in order to prevent losses. Your bottom line depends on it. If your retail theft prevention tools and security cameras aren’t doing the trick, look into purchasing security fixtures, or locked showcases. There is an endless array of Loss Prevention solutions on the market aimed to Stop Shoplifting and retain profits. 

3. Got a dressing room?

Monitor it.This one goes out to all my apparel retailers. How many of you have a dressing room, but no employee assigned to it? All of you? That’s what I thought. You probably have said to yourself countless times that you simply can’t afford to hire a person to be in your fitting room all day, every day. Well, you my friend are 100% wrong. You can’t afford not to. We did a study a few years back (and I’ll admit my company is still stubborn and our dressing rooms aren’t staffed) and we found that we lost about $250 a day to theft. That’s only one store. You’re not paying an hourly employee $250/day. You may not lose that much, or you may be losing more, but you get the point. An employee monitoring the fitting room will stop shoplifting, especially if you limit the number of garments and count them when they enter and when they exit. 

4. Take returns?

Have a policy. If you hadn’t realized that your return policy can cost you money yet, then you’ve got some work to do. With return fraud becoming the biggest scam on earth, wardrobing and customer’s returning bricks in boxes, a loose return policy can spell trouble for your bottom line. First, you should be very clear on what can be returned and what cannot. Second, you have to train your staff to meet your expectations and to look for those clues that they are being taken advantage of. Of course, you’ll need to bend your policy every now and then for a legitimate customer, but don’t ignore your gut. If you don’t get a warm and fuzzy feeling, your instincts are probably right. 

5. Overhead PA announcements

One of my favorite things to do to shoplifters and it’s also the most low-tech retail theft prevention tool out there. Sometimes, if I want to have a little fun with a known thief, I’ll use the overhead PA to my advantage. Let’s say the thief is in Men’s activewear. I’ll page “the customer in blue needs assistance in men’s”. When the thief hears that, chances are they will quickly move to another location. When they do, I’ll repeat the process. If I really want to have some fun, I’ll page “The police officer that was looking for ‘item X’, please come to ‘x location’. Of course, the location is where the shoplifter is at. This usually does the trick and your thief will usually haul-tail out the door. Who says retail has to be boring? It’s your store, have some fun!
 

For more information about retail theft prevention, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

ALPHA BUG TAG PUTS ALL EYES ON SHOPLIFTERS AFTER BOOSTING ELECTRONICS IN THEIR PANTS!

February 21, 2018 by Leave a Comment
ALPHA BUG TAG PUTS ALL EYES ON SHOPLIFTERS AFTER BOOSTING ELECTRONICS IN THEIR PANTS!
Alpha Bug Tag- 3                                                                     ML Blog 18
Prevent Shoplifting-3
      
       In Loss Prevention, you watch hours upon hours of CCTV, waiting for that one shoplifter to boost your products. You truly never know what situations will arise: You never know exactly who is going to steal or under what circumstances. Even with theft being a serious crime, you run across shoplifters that do some downright humorous things. Some tactics will never make sense, but you just have to laugh it off and keep being a dedicated professional. But even the most dedicated loss prevention people can’t be in the store at all times. For the moments you can’t be there to watch people, you can use the best shoplifter proof protection devices to prevent shoplifting from these situations that may arise! We often use hard tags or ink tags for clothing items, but what can be done for other products we sell? A very common misconception is there is no protection devices to fit properly, so management throws their hands up to the problem. Retailers often neglect these products due to it being a boxed product versus clothing item.  The Alpha Bug Tag is the best option for these difficult merchandise protection situations!
       I was watching one of our high theft departments and noticed 2 subjects walk right into my camera range. I knew right away according to their behavior that they were going to steal. They started looking around suspiciously, while keeping their eye on the prize. They saw 15 boxes of high dollar electronics speaker that are priced at $79.99 a piece. The size of box is small, with a high price ready for them to resell! They feel like it’s a win, win… while not realizing I am watching every move they make on CCTV. They grab the electronic speaker’s and quickly go to a corner in the store. It seems they did not see that the merchandise is tagged with an Alpha Bug Tag to prevent shoplifting. Or for some reason they don’t feel it will alarm at the door. They looked around, and started stuffing all 15 boxes into their pants. Not in any pockets though, but straight into their pants! The speakers are pretty heavy so I figured most of them would fall out as they were walking… but it didn’t. They started wobbling around the store, oddly enough making sure no one saw them. The wobbling by itself should have made them worried about getting attention from the sales staff, but again it didn’t! After they finally felt comfortable (well as comfortable as you can be with 15 boxes in your pants), they went for the exit. The alarm went off right as the subjects exited thanks to the Alpha Bug Tag. All eyes now on them from everyone in the store. Since they did exit the store, I ran out there and apprehended both subjects and brought them back to my Loss Prevention office to process them. I asked for all of the speakers back, and they started pulling them out one by one. Come to find out, they had their underwear duct taped to their legs in order to hold the speakers!! First time ever seeing this! This was definitely a strange situation, but I managed to prevent a lot of money from going out the door. My store team was so excited for the big bust, but laughed when I had to explain where the speakers were and what happened! 
       Shoplifters never cease to amaze me. In the end, my store was thankful for utilizing the Alpha Bug Tag. What if I was not watching these subjects? These subjects could have got away with a lot of merchandise. The associates need an alarm to go off, incase no one noticed the subjects stealing. It is important to utilize them to prevent shoplifting at all times!
Alpha Bug Tag is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

In Loss Prevention, you watch hours upon hours of CCTV, waiting for that one shoplifter to boost your products. You truly never know what situations will arise: You never know exactly who is going to steal or under what circumstances. Even with theft being a serious crime, you run across shoplifters that do some downright humorous things. Some tactics will never make sense, but you just have to laugh it off and keep being a dedicated professional. But even the most dedicated loss prevention people can’t be in the store at all times. For the moments you can’t be there to watch people, you can use the best shoplifter proof protection devices to prevent shoplifting from these situations that may arise! We often use hard tags or ink tags for clothing items, but what can be done for other products we sell? A very common misconception is there is no protection devices to fit properly, so management throws their hands up to the problem. Retailers often neglect these products due to it being a boxed product versus clothing item.  The Alpha Bug Tag is the best option for these difficult merchandise protection situations!
       

I was watching one of our high theft departments and noticed 2 subjects walk right into my camera range. I knew right away according to their behavior that they were going to steal. They started looking around suspiciously, while keeping their eye on the prize. They saw 15 boxes of high dollar electronics speaker that are priced at $79.99 a piece. The size of box is small, with a high price ready for them to resell! They feel like it’s a win, win… while not realizing I am watching every move they make on CCTV. They grab the electronic speaker’s and quickly go to a corner in the store. It seems they did not see that the merchandise is tagged with an Alpha Bug Tag to prevent shoplifting. Or for some reason they don’t feel it will alarm at the door. They looked around, and started stuffing all 15 boxes into their pants. Not in any pockets though, but straight into their pants! The speakers are pretty heavy so I figured most of them would fall out as they were walking… but it didn’t. They started wobbling around the store, oddly enough making sure no one saw them. The wobbling by itself should have made them worried about getting attention from the sales staff, but again it didn’t! After they finally felt comfortable (well as comfortable as you can be with 15 boxes in your pants), they went for the exit. The alarm went off right as the subjects exited thanks to the Alpha Bug Tag. All eyes now on them from everyone in the store. Since they did exit the store, I ran out there and apprehended both subjects and brought them back to my Loss Prevention office to process them. I asked for all of the speakers back, and they started pulling them out one by one. Come to find out, they had their underwear duct taped to their legs in order to hold the speakers!! First time ever seeing this! This was definitely a strange situation, but I managed to prevent a lot of money from going out the door. My store team was so excited for the big bust, but laughed when I had to explain where the speakers were and what happened! 
       

Shoplifters never cease to amaze me. In the end, my store was thankful for utilizing the Alpha Bug Tag. What if I was not watching these subjects? These subjects could have got away with a lot of merchandise. The associates need an alarm to go off, incase no one noticed the subjects stealing. It is important to utilize them to prevent shoplifting at all times!

 

Alpha Bug Tag is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

 

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A Clothing Alarm Causes The Other Shoe To Drop?

February 2, 2018 by Leave a Comment

 

Clothing Alarm-5                                                                                                                          WC Blog 466
Clothing Security Tags-4
A Clothing Alarm Causes The Other Shoe To Drop?
      My daughter is in training to become a department manager for a clothing store chain. She stays in regular contact with friends and co-workers even when she isn’t at work, often learning about events that take place shortly after they happen. Not long ago she was at home and a friend who had just gotten off of work called  and told her about a group of shoplifters who had been in the store and ran out with two large tote-sized bags and a backpack that appeared to be filled with merchandise.  One of the suspects was seen running to a car and jumping into it. The other two suspected thieves were spotted walking quickly to a nearby store in the same shopping plaza and entering it. According to my daughter’s friend a bit later a customer came to their store carrying a pair of name brand shoes that came from their store with a clothing alarm tag still attached to the shoe. The tag had a built in alarm that was still blaring when the patron brought the shoes into the store.
     There are a few of you reading this article unfamiliar with a clothing alarm or clothing security tags. Both of these are terms for devices used to prevent the pilfering of clothing from retailers. The tags can be pinned on clothes (usually in a seam to prevent damage to material) in a location that will be visible to a thief. The idea is to deter theft from ever taking place. Often just the sight of a tag is enough to make a criminal reconsider attempting to steal something from a store. The tags are designed to withstand efforts to pry them off of merchandise and they can withstand quite a bit of physical pounding if someone were to try to break them apart. That type of abuse is going to result in damaged goods anyways rendering them useless for wear or resale. Tags also carry electronic article surveillance technology that will cause a Checkpoint tower alarm to sound when tagged products come too close to the towers. Obviously the idea behind the alarms is that trained associates quickly react to alarm activations and merchandise is recovered for the store.
     As I mentioned earlier my daughter’s store was using a clothing alarm tag that was sounding a built in alarm when the honest customer brought it back into the store. This store uses clothing security tags that have these built in alarms and others that only sound an alarm if tampered with or set off a tower when a shoplifter tries to sneak tagged merchandise out of a store. The benefit of the added alarm is that it does make it very clear when a person is carrying stolen merchandise around. It is difficult to be discreet while trying to duck into a store and carrying merchandise that is sending out an alarm noise. 
     I asked my daughter if the police had been called when the perpetrators fled. She told me that their policy is not to call the police on suspected shoplifters who run out the door. Even if merchandise with a clothing alarm tag that sets off the towers at the front doors there is no follow up other than to notify the district Loss Prevention Manager. Having been a Loss Prevention Manager for quite a few years this bothered me and intrigued me at the same time. I know the store has at least some security cameras in it. Why not review some video and then contact the police about the suspected theft? In my opinion this also defeats a part of the purpose of having an electronic article surveillance system in place. Yes, the clothing security tags do deter theft but there has to be follow-up. If there is no follow up with police when there is a strong probability that a theft has taken place then I believe a part of the value of a theft prevention system is lost. 
      Shoplifters will learn through the grapevine what a store’s policies are regarding shoplifters. When there is no concern that police will be contacted for theft issues thieves begin to take advantage of those businesses. A clothing alarm tag will have the most impact when employees respond to alarms and authorities are contacted for incidents with strong evidence that a theft has occurred. 
     Don’t take half measures to protect your store and merchandise. Use clothing security tags on all of your products and train employees on alarm response. For the rare occasion someone gets away be sure to partner with police and prosecute when possible. Send a strong message to criminals to take their antics elsewhere.
Clothing Security Tags are important and we can help you with it. Call 1.86.426.0547 and let’s talk.
     

My daughter is in training to become a department manager for a clothing store chain. She stays in regular contact with friends and co-workers even when she isn’t at work, often learning about events that take place shortly after they happen. Not long ago she was at home and a friend who had just gotten off of work called  and told her about a group of shoplifters who had been in the store and ran out with two large tote-sized bags and a backpack that appeared to be filled with merchandise. One of the suspects was seen running to a car and jumping into it. The other two suspected thieves were spotted walking quickly to a nearby store in the same shopping plaza and entering it. According to my daughter’s friend a bit later a customer came to their store carrying a pair of name brand shoes that came from their store with a clothing alarm tag still attached to the shoe. The tag had a built in alarm that was still blaring when the patron brought the shoes into the store.

There are a few of you reading this article unfamiliar with a clothing alarm or clothing security tags. Both of these are terms for devices used to prevent the pilfering of clothing from retailers. The tags can be pinned on clothes (usually in a seam to prevent damage to material) in a location that will be visible to a thief. The idea is to deter theft from ever taking place. Often just the sight of a tag is enough to make a criminal reconsider attempting to steal something from a store. The tags are designed to withstand efforts to pry them off of merchandise and they can withstand quite a bit of physical pounding if someone were to try to break them apart. That type of abuse is going to result in damaged goods anyways rendering them useless for wear or resale. Tags also carry electronic article surveillance technology that will cause a Checkpoint tower alarm to sound when tagged products come too close to the towers. Obviously the idea behind the alarms is that trained associates quickly react to alarm activations and merchandise is recovered for the store.

As I mentioned earlier my daughter’s store was using a clothing alarm tag that was sounding a built in alarm when the honest customer brought it back into the store. This store uses clothing security tags that have these built in alarms and others that only sound an alarm if tampered with or set off a tower when a shoplifter tries to sneak tagged merchandise out of a store. The benefit of the added alarm is that it does make it very clear when a person is carrying stolen merchandise around. It is difficult to be discreet while trying to duck into a store and carrying merchandise that is sending out an alarm noise. 

I asked my daughter if the police had been called when the perpetrators fled. She told me that their policy is not to call the police on suspected shoplifters who run out the door. Even if merchandise with a clothing alarm tag that sets off the towers at the front doors there is no follow up other than to notify the district Loss Prevention Manager. Having been a Loss Prevention Manager for quite a few years this bothered me and intrigued me at the same time. I know the store has at least some security cameras in it. Why not review some video and then contact the police about the suspected theft? In my opinion this also defeats a part of the purpose of having an electronic article surveillance system in place. Yes, the clothing security tags do deter theft but there has to be follow-up. If there is no follow up with police when there is a strong probability that a theft has taken place then I believe a part of the value of a theft prevention system is lost. 

Shoplifters will learn through the grapevine what a store’s policies are regarding shoplifters. When there is no concern that police will be contacted for theft issues thieves begin to take advantage of those businesses. A clothing alarm tag will have the most impact when employees respond to alarms and authorities are contacted for incidents with strong evidence that a theft has occurred. 

Don’t take half measures to protect your store and merchandise. Use clothing security tags on all of your products and train employees on alarm response. For the rare occasion someone gets away be sure to partner with police and prosecute when possible. Send a strong message to criminals to take their antics elsewhere.

 

Clothing Security Tags are important and we can help you with it. Call 1.86.426.0547 and let’s talk.     

 

 

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