Alpha Shark Tag — Page 14

Time is On My Side, Sometimes – Alpha 3 Alarm

February 11, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

When you are trying to prevent shoplifting, it is equal parts effective customer service, and consistent use of retail anti theft devices.

It doesn’t matter if you have the most attentive employees who are spot on at providing the best possible service imaginable. At some point, your associates have to stop engaging a shoplifter and attend to other tasks.

I know. I have spent countless hours watching shoplifters. One time I spent thirty minutes watching and “cleaning” the fitting room, because there was a girl inside, who was going to steal a shirt, and kept checking to see if I left.

Eventually, I had to go attend to another managerial issue that could not wait. Sure enough, the girl took the shirt.

Not only did I lose the shirt, but I also lost the thirty minutes of productivity (and a bit of my ego) in the process.

This is a prime example of how retail anti theft devices pick up where customer service lets off. Alpha Security even makes different levels of retail anti theft devices based on what you need.

I personally like the Alpha Security Alpha 3 Alarm. It activates at the door if it is not removed. It also activates if someone tries to remove it without the proper detacher. The best part is the Alpha 3 Alarm generates an independent audible alarm. That means the alarm will sound from the product as it leaves the store- not just sounding an alarm at the exit doors.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store for Alpha 2Alarm, Alpha 3Alarm, Alpha Fashion2, Alpha Jewel Lok, Alpha Nano Gate, Alpha Shark Tag, Alpha Spider Wrap and other retail anti-theft devices from Alpha Security to use in conjunction with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

For more information on how you can use Alpha Security retail anti-theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 3 Alarm, Alpha 3 Alarm, Alpha Fashion2, Alpha Jewel Lok, Alpha Nano Gate, Alpha Shark Tag, Alpha Spider Wrap, Fashion2, Jewel Lok, Nano Gate, Prevent Shoplifting, Retail Anti Theft Devices, Shark Tag, Spider Wrap

Oh So Simple

February 4, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Technology amazes me. Looking at the world and seeing the possibilities, information and access available literally, at our fingertips, is quite a phenomenon. But does basic human nature change at the same pace as technology? Maybe! I am afraid that the need to prevent shoplifting still remains.

Yet there are still innovations that have nothing to do with a computer chip, “the cloud” or an app that can completely change your life. They are simple by design, and at the forefront of leading technology. Some of these innovations are changes to retail anti theft devices.

Alpha Security, who is a trusted industry name in retail anti theft devices, is at the forefront of innovation and change. This is because Alpha Security products are reliable, and also because they simply work. Take a look at the Alpha Jewel Lok. It is a simple lock designed to disallow product access. You cannot take a piece of jewelry off of a card with an Alpha Jewel Lok in place. This leaves a shoplifter or dishonest employee with only the option to steal the jewelry with the Alpha Jewel Lok still attached and set the alarm off.

The last thing a shoplifter wants is to be noticed, so setting off an alarm is usually not an option. They will end up leaving the jewelry behind.

For more information on how you can use Alpha Security retail anti-theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Alpha Fashion2, Alpha Jewel Lok, Alpha Nano Gate, Alpha Shark Tag, Alpha Spider Wrap, Fashion2, Jewel Lok, Nano Gate, Prevent Shoplifting, Retail Anti Theft Devices, Shark Tag, Spider Wrap

Going over the top with Retail Anti-Theft Devices

January 28, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

The other day I was walking through a retail sporting goods store when I came across a display of football jerseys. I had to stop and consider the display, not because I liked the team, or the colors, or even the price offered, but because of how ridiculous the jerseys looked while being festooned with four retail anti-theft devices EACH!

Each piece of clothing had an Alpha 3 Alarm, an Alpha 2 Alarm, an Alpha Fashion2 hard tag, and an Alpha Shark Tag attached at various points of the garment. Just by looking at them I could tell it would be nearly impossible for any customer to try on any of the jerseys without being bludgeoned into a coma by the amount of devices.

I believe that if you have that many retail anti-theft devices on a piece of clothing you might have a few issues in your company. First of all, you need to look at moving your store out of that neighborhood if the need to prevent shoplifting is THAT severe. Secondly, your Loss Prevention or merchandising team has no idea how to properly attach devices to product. Or, finally, you just have too many excess devices and no reasonable idea what to do with them.

Here’s some advice; research each anti-theft device BEFORE ordering it. That way you will know what can fit your company needs so your customers can try on the clothing and find out what fits them.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store for Alpha 2Alarm, Alpha 3Alarm, Alpha Fashion2, Alpha Jewel Lok, Alpha Jewel Lock, Alpha Nano Gate, Alpha Shark Tag, Alpha Spider Wrap and other retail anti-theft devices from Alpha Security to use in conjunction with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

For more information on how you can use Alpha Security retail anti-theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 2 Alarm, 3 Alarm, Alpha 2 Alarm, Alpha 3 Alarm, Alpha Fashion2, Alpha Jewel Lok, Alpha Nano Gate, Alpha Shark Tag, Alpha Spider Wrap, Fashion2, Jewel Lok, Nano Gate, Prevent Shoplifting, Shark Tag, Spider Wrap

Retail Anti-Theft Devices and Correct Application

January 21, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

In my years of working in loss prevention I have seen some ridiculous misuses of company resources. Most of the time it involves company employees pulling dangerous or inane stunts with equipment that they think is funny. I have seen people riding pallet jacks like skateboards and driving scissor lifts through coffee shop drive-thrus. While such things fall within our realm of responsibility as liability issues they are actually not the worst misuse of equipment we come across.

I am speaking specifically about incorrect or improper application of retail anti -theft devices. I have seen retail anti-theft devices ineffectively attached to items (like putting cable locks on detachable or unsecured appendages), overused (putting a 2 Alarm AND Spider Wrap onto the same piece of product), or completely unused (EAS tags left in boxes instead of put on product).

If you are trying to prevent shoplifting then you need to be mindful of how to correctly implement your anti-theft devices in order to protect your assets and also make sure you aren’t wasting your time and money in the long run.

For more information on how you can use Alpha Security retail anti-theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 2 Alarm, Alpha Fashion2, Alpha Jewel Lok, Alpha Nano Gate, Alpha Shark Tag, Alpha Spider Wrap, Fashion2, Jewel Lok, Nano Gate, Prevent Shoplifting, Shark Tag, Spider Wrap

Our Shoes were Walking out the Door!

January 14, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

In one of my stores there is a problem that isn’t exactly unique to them but is somewhat of an epidemic. They are constantly losing shoes to theft.

In their efforts to prevent shoplifting in their store they have tried every way possible to battle this issue, but in spite of their efforts their total shrink in that department is astounding. They have done everything from ensuring one hundred percent tagging standards to twenty-four hour surveillance of the area, but still they get beat.

The problem seems to be that the retail anti-theft devices they were using had been beaten and the local thieves seem to have spread the word on the methods to do it.

After researching the problem we have come up with a somewhat unorthodox use for a different type of retail anti-theft device which so far has seemed to confound the culprits. Now the department is required to use 2 Alarm locks on all footwear in the store, specifically running the cable through the eye-loops of the footwear itself or attaching it to a structurally sound part of the item. Also, if possible, they are to run the 2 Alarm units through BOTH pieces of footwear, thereby ensuring that the pair is kept intact and should anyone attempt to defeat the 2 Alarm piece it will simply sound off alerting associates to possible purloining of product.

For more information on how you can use Alpha Security retail anti-theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

What’s the point is using Anti-Theft Devices if you don’t use them correctly?

January 7, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

The other day I was out shopping with my wife at one of her favorite retail clothing stores. It is one of those places that offers bargains and sale prices on big name items in the fashion community and has on hand everything from shoes, perfumes, clothes, handbags, and even cookware. As I was staring off into oblivion (as I am unable to maintain interest in a store that offers nothing to those of us with a Y chromosome) I noticed something that actually roused me from my self-induced stupor.

It was as we were walking through the part of the store where they kept the handbags. The bags are on racks and hang by their straps to save space and provide ease of access and, upon inspection I noticed the majority of them had Alpha 2 Alarm tags affixed to them. In and of itself, the application of Alpha 2 Alarm tags, or ANY retail anti-theft device on designer handbags was nothing special. Rather, it was HOW the Alpha 2 Alarm tags had been affixed that caught my eye.

On almost every bag I came across, the Alpha 2 Alarm tags had been placed on the most ineffectual part of the bag possible. Rather than thread a heavy ring or loop of any of the bags, the tags had been secured AROUND the straps themselves. This meant that anyone wishing to remove them would only need to unlatch one side of the adjustable strap and simply slide the tag right off the purse.

I doubt it had been intentional but it was so blatant I had to tell the store management about the oversight. There’s no point having retail anti -theft devices if they aren’t going to be used effectively.

For more information on how you can use Alpha Security retail anti-theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 2 Alarm, Alpha 2 Alarm, Alpha Fashion2, Alpha Jewel Lok, Alpha Nano Gate, Alpha Shark Tag, Alpha Spider Wrap, Fashion2, Jewel Lok, Nano Gate, Prevent Shoplifting, Shark Tag, Spider Wrap

If only we had Jewel Loks…

December 31, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Many LP professionals have had a known theft suspect they couldn’t wait to arrest. They were aware of the subject, but for whatever reason, this person had evaded detainment and continued to steal from their store. While working for one company, I had a woman who came in multiple times per month and treated our store like a swap meet, leaving her old earrings on the cards and taking ours. Whenever she entered the store, we would initiate surveillance and intend to make a detainment, but she would either dump the merchandise or we’d be uncertain which items she took.

In my experience, jewelry is one of the toughest items to protect against loss. It’s challenging to maintain observation of such a small item when it’s being carried by a moving person or being palmed in their hand. Jewelry can be easily concealed and just as easily dumped, increasing the likelihood of an unproductive stop. Many companies place additional apprehension requirements for jewelry items as a result of the risk they create for retailers. I’ve made the difficult decision many times to let a shoplifter go because I wasn’t willing to gamble my job or jeopardize my employer on an item that may have been either stolen or dumped. Obviously, detainment isn’t going to be the answer to retailers’ jewelry theft problem.

Because so many challenges face retailers trying to protect their jewelry from five finger discounts, the creation of the Jewel Lok is like a miracle. Introduced in 2011, this innovative retail anti-theft device from Alpha Security resolved the aesthetic display dilemma others before it couldn’t. My favorite feature of this solution is that a shoplifter attempting to defeat it will break the jewelry before they can remove it. If my store had the Jewel Lok, we wouldn’t have a collection of that subject’s earrings which we plan to return to her when we finally get her someday.

For more information on how you can use Alpha Security retail anti-theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Anti-Theft Devices work in Conjunction with Customer Service

December 24, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

The crime of shoplifting occurs daily and industry analysts believe thieves steal nearly $25 million in stolen merchandise each day. In order to prevent shoplifting retailers must be armed with the information and equipment to combat the rising shrink numbers. Retail anti-theft devices such as Alpha 2Alarm, Alpha 3Alarm, Alpha Fashion2, Alpha Jewel Lok, Alpha Jewel Lock, Alpha Nano Gate, Alpha Shark Tag, Alpha Spider Wrap and other retail anti-theft devices from Alpha Security prevent shoplifting through deterrence by creating an unattractive environment for shoplifting to fester and thrive. Furthermore, loss prevention professionals believe good customer service is the best deterrent and will prevent shoplifting by enhancing the shopping experience.

A company I once worked for always trained its loss prevention personnel that deterrence is the best policy and to focus more on eliminating opportunities for shoplifters. Customer theft accounts for less than 40% of annual shrink and the rest comes from employee theft or administration lapses. If you can control your merchandise you can control your shrink number. Retail anti-theft devices are easy to use and do not adversely impact your commitment to outstanding customer service because they can be removed conveniently during the checkout process.

Retailers are now learning to adapt to the emerging trends and many large department store chains have been redesigned to accommodate best practices for retail anti-theft devices. Most shoplifters are opportunists so reducing your merchandise’s exposure should be a priority and is a proven method in mitigating annual shortage.

For more information on how you can use Alpha Security retail anti-theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Retail Anti-Theft Devices are your SECOND line of Defense!

December 17, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

The key to any successful retail operation is protecting the company’s bottom line. Retail anti theft devices are considered to be the second line of defense to prevent shoplifting. The first line of defense, however, is great customer service.

Shoplifters love it when they find your staff busy with another customer. This gives them an opportunity to conceal merchandise. Some shoplifters are even bold enough to walk right out the door with your assets if you are not paying attention. Retail anti theft devices will deter theft and prevent shoplifting so you can protect your profitability.

Retail anti theft devices will buy you time and save you money. A company I once worked for placed anti theft devices on all of our merchandise that was a target for shoplifters during the busy holiday season. Over night we turned a chronic shoplifting problem into a customer service opportunity.

Shoplifters that had been identified showed-up during peak shopping hours hoping our staff would not pay them any attention. The retail anti theft devices gave us time to prevent shoplifting by providing great customer service without neglecting our business needs.

For more information on how you can use Alpha Security retail anti-theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

LP on a Tight Budget

December 10, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Maybe you have a smaller store, or perhaps just don’t have a huge budget for retail anti theft devices. If such is the case there is a simple method to scare off a large portion of your potential ‘opportunist’ shoplifters; deception.

All it takes it creating the illusion that you have a bigger network of retail anti theft devices than what you actually possess. As I have said before, the most common way to prevent shoplifting is to use your tools as a deterrent first and foremost and focus your hands-on work for the tried and true criminals.

First and foremost, install a Checkpoint System or Alpha Nano Gate in the front of your store in the entry way. Next install retail anti-theft devices on very visible and/or high value merchandise. Be they Spider Wraps or Jewel Loks just make sure everyone sees that they are there.

Finally, you want to remove as many blind spots in your store as possible, and maybe even put up a few false cameras. While YOU will know that they are not real, the vast majority of potential shoplifters won’t and will avoid trying to pull anything while they suspect they are being watched.

It may not seem like a great way to spend your loss prevention budget, but as I said before, with just a few Nano Gates and the overall illusion that you are more secure than you actually are, you can trick thieves into leaving you alone before they even attempt anything.

For more information on how you can use Alpha Security retail anti-theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547