I was involved in a case recently regarding a high dollar theft of jeans. Two males had come into the store. They both went behind an unopened cash wrap and picked up some empty shopping bags. They then made a beeline toward our new display of high dollar jeans. They each took half of the stack and headed to the fitting rooms.
Our fitting rooms are supposed to be locked, but I guess that the associate had forgotten to lock them up after the last customers had used them. So now our thieves had about fifteen pairs of jeans (each), empty store bags, and open – unattended fitting rooms. Well, you can put two and two together to figure out what happened next. The two emerged from the fitting rooms with now full shopping bags. Off they went to the exit doors to make their grand escape. We were there waiting for them as they exited.
During the interview with the subjects they told us how easy it was to steal because no one was paying attention. And they, for the most part were right. There were several breakdowns to our clothing security. This is the sort of incident I use to train my store associates on the importance of clothing security. It’s not just about having clothing security tags, it’s about being watchful of your surroundings.
While the store may not have been paying attention, we sure were. We watched the pair blatantly go behind the counter and laugh as they scooped up the jeans and headed toward the fitting room. We tell the associates these are the red flags to watch for. It makes them feel more empowered about what they can and can’t do. I know that next time, the clothing alarm and me won’t be the only ones watching for shoplifters.
Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase a clothing alarm or clothing security tags.
For more information on Checkpoint tags, clothing security, clothing alarm, or clothing security tags contact us at security tags on clothes or call 1.770.426.0547
