Convenience Of Bottle Locks In The Convenience Store

I have spoken to many current and former convenience store employees and the consensus seems that one of the biggest theft drivers is people running out with beer and wine.  There is definitely an opportunity for improvement in this category.  Traditionally you would expect to see Alpha Bottle Locks on all the high retail wines and premium liquors in package stores, but they could also make a big impact on the frequently targeted malt beverages in the coolers of convenience stores.  

Generally you do not see a lot of product protection tools being utilized in this market.  The novelty items are kept on or near the checkout counter.  Sometimes the counters are so cluttered with specialty lighters, phone cases, chargers, and other gadgets it can be difficult to see exactly where to go to make your purchases.  Keeping these items close keeps the clerks attention on them, and visible even when there are multiple customers in the store.  But the beer and low retail malts are usually near the back of the store, and when they are just sitting there with no deterrents, like Alpha Bottle Locks, they are simply a challenge to the creative and determined thief.  If you have a suspicious person in the store when there are a lot of other shoppers, it is hard to monitor their activity.  If the products are kept in a reach-in cooler, the person can just walk around a bit, and then conceal the bottle in their clothing or a large purse as soon as the clerk gets distracted.  It is even harder in the case of the walk-in beer cave.   Most times the clerk is on duty solo, so they cannot just leave the counter and escort every customer into the walk-in.  It is a neat idea; let the customer walk in and choose a cold beverage.  Unfortunately it is also the perfect opportunity for the unscrupulous customer.

My husband used to work the night shift at a local convenience store, and he hated dealing with the guys that walked around the neighborhood or hung around the parking lot all hours of the night.  Many were just waiting for the chance to dart in and run out with a single stolen bottle.  The big 40 ounce bottles of beer and the cheap wines were constantly being stolen.  

That was the 90’s.  In today’s world, this is still happening, but there are solutions on the market.  Checkpoint has introduced the new N-10 model, which is a slim profile theft detection system that is perfect for the limited space available in a convenience store.  Add Bottle Locks to the most targeted beverages, and you have a winning combination.  These tough tools fit tightly over the lids of almost any size bottle.  They are quickly and easily removed by the clerk at the time of purchase.  They are tough and totally reusable.  They can also self alarm if there is an attempt to tamper with or remove them without the proper tool.  Statistically speaking, the glass will break before the Bottle Lock will come off if there is a successful theft.  

If you are the owner or manager of a convenience store and you are fed up with external theft, it is time to take a look at what these tools can do for you.

For more information contact us: 1.770.426.0547 or Bottle-Services.net