Small businesses face the threat of shoplifters just like the big box stores. Thieves have advantages in both types of retail establishments. Mass merchants obviously have bigger buildings, so there are more places for a thief to “hide” and conceal merchandise. Plus with more shoppers and staff, it is much easier for a thief to blend in and remain undetected while inside the store. In small businesses, the opportunities come with less staff that can get distracted or overwhelmed, and not notice a wiped out shelf until it’s too late. With smaller buildings, it can also be easier to get out quickly and into a waiting car. In order to combat the loss of inventory, profit, and margin, all businesses should be looking at what tools they need to invest in. A top quality device, like a Checkpoint System, is one of the first things to look into.
I’m not talking about some knock off brand. I mean real Checkpoint System pedestals at the entrance, real Checkpoint Tags adhered to your most targeted items, and the many other options that are compatible with the system. The system itself is the first stop in the battle. Those pedestals send a clear visible message that your store has a plan to stop shoplifting. The next line of defense is the tags. They are the best deterrent to stop opportunists and inexperienced thieves. You and your employees need to identify your most targeted items. You have to ask yourselves a couple of questions. 1. If an item comes up missing, how did it get out the door unpaid and unseen? 2. Who, or even what group, is the most likely culprit? Petty theft by regular loyal customers happens more often than any retailer wants to admit. Always remember: good people make bad decisions. And, know that greed, not need, is the one biggest driver of all types of loss (internal and external). Once you have your plans and your system in place, you should see a big drop in external losses. If not, then you may need to address a bigger problem. Depending on what your store sells, you may be getting hit by professional thieves, or as we not-so-lovingly refer to as “boosters”.
Next up on the agenda should be Alpha Technology. This is a division of Checkpoint Systems and all of the devices are compatible with the system. If someone attempts to remove an item with an Alpha device attached, the pedestals will alarm. The more sophisticated and difficult the device is to remove, the more it will deter theft. It will also send a stronger signal and be harder to defeat. Alpha Keepers, clear cases that lock merchandise inside, are super hard to break. Plus they make a lot of noise clacking together if a would be thief were to grab up a bunch of them in a basket or big shoplifter bag. There are devices for almost any item your store specializes in. Jewelry, sunglasses, handbags, and even clothing can be protected with some type of Alpha tool. We even have cable locks that are great for the new crazy trend of laundry detergent theft. Close that bad boy around the bottle handle and watch a thief try to figure out how to remove it. “Not gonna happen” is the answer for them.
You have to decide what works best for your store and what will protect the things you sell. The easy answer to that is start with a Checkpoint System. You have invested in your merchandise and the whole point is to sell it and make money. You wouldn’t allow someone to come into your home and take your stuff or your money. Essentially that is what you are doing if you sit and do nothing about shoplifting though. Saying “I’m sick of these people stealing” and putting up some threatening signs is not enough. Action is the only way to stop theft, and if you are looking at making the investment, you might as well shop for the real thing, and the one that is recognized across the industry. Like the saying goes, you’ll get what you pay for.
For more information on Checkpoint Systems, contact us: 1.770.426.0547 or antishoplifting.net
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