Remember, the shoplifters are not dumb about clothing security. They know how to steal from you and are good at it. You have to be smarter and in the prevention mode rather than the reactive mode at all times. To get your store and staff in the right position consider the following issues:
Experienced, professional shoplifters will case your store in advance of hitting you. Waiting for them to be in the store and shoplifting puts you behind the curve. These thieves look for employees who are indifferent and clueless. Staff that would rather be on your phone or their cell phone are not really paying attention. For example, are you really paying that good of attention when you are on your cell phone and driving?
Shoplifters are watching to see how your staff handles an EAS clothing security alarm. Do they just wave them through or do they investigate? If one does not occur while they are watching they will make one happen.
Theses thieves will observe your staffing coverage. Do you have enough people to cover the floor? When is the customer to employee ratio the highest? Is there a time when there is only one person covering the floor even if there are not any customers present? Two shoplifters working together can create a distraction while the second one steals.
Another common tactic is for one thief to intentionally trip the EAS clothing security system and while the employee is sorting that out another goes out with the merchandise.
Thieves will also use booster bags. These are shopping bags lined with foil in an attempt to defeat the EAS clothing alarm system.
The key to prevent losses is two fold: Training is paramount! Train all new employees on the EAS clothing alarm system and shoplifting prevention. Retrain employees four times a year to keep the information fresh and to present and discuss issues that have occurred. Do not forget to ask for your staffs input. They may have some great solutions. The second is to keep your EAS clothing alarm system in top operating shape. Is it tuned properly? Are clothing security tags and labels on all products that you specify? Are clothing security tags attached properly? If you are not sure about this yourself contact us we have a great hard tag placement guide we will send you free.
You can either lie down like a sheep and be a victim or you can take proactive and aggressive action that shoplifters will hate but real customers love.
For more information on clothing security or clothing security tags contact us at clothing alarm or call 1.770.426.0547
