Vendor and supplier fraud is one form of losses that retailer’s can easily overlook. The more obvious answer to inventory losses usually comes from employee or shoplifter theft. Since vendors and suppliers are generally in and out of a store quickly, and when they are in the store they usually have their hands full and are busy unloading product, it is easier to point the finger of suspicion elsewhere.

The truth of the matter is that these vendors and suppliers should not be underestimated (or unattended) as they work in your store. Beyond the varying forms of fraud committed by vendors, these outside workers can be just as guilty of committing shoplifting crimes.

How often do these vendors unload a shipment and then ask to use a restroom? Are they escorted to the facilities, or are they left on their own as your employees focus on their own tasks and work lists? Do the vendors walk past or through areas of store merchandise and supplies? How about food products? 

One of my stores recently started noticing empty food and beverage wrappers and containers back in the bathrooms. At first we thought it was employees stealing the products. As it turned out, one of our suppliers would unload their delivery, and ask to use the restroom. They would pick up candy bars, snacks and a soda on their way back. They would eat and drink their snack in the restroom, leave the packaging, and then walk back out of the store without paying for anything.

The main reason we caught on was that the supplier started to make more frequent visits to the store, even when he didn’t have any deliveries to make. He would claim it was just customer service, checking on us because we were such and important contract of theirs. The reality was he was hungry, needed a snack, and saw us as a (literal) free lunch.

While the majority of us would not find it effective to use Checkpoint security tags as anti shoplifting devices on a candy bar, using a Checkpoint system not only in the front of house, but also the back stockrooms and exits is a good idea. There are many vendors that will pick up store merchandise that they want and take it with them as they leave out the back receiving and dock exits. These areas are often less well protected from theft because of the lack of foot traffic that goes by them. Most employees go in and out the front doors, as do all of the customers. Usually it is only vendors and suppliers that enter and exit through the back areas.

For those vendors that are inclined to steal, the lack of Checkpoint systems and other anti shoplifting deterrents make it all to easy for them to conduct frequent thefts of store merchandise. With little employee oversight, lack of anti theft monitoring, and access to store merchandise, vendors and suppliers have an easier time stealing from a store than either employees or shoplifters do.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Anti-Shoplifting devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems to stop shoplifting in your store.

For more information on Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint Labels, a Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint Tags and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at Retail theft prevention to Stop Shoplifting in your store or call 1.770.426.0547 

Vendor and supplier fraud is one form of losses that retailer’s can easily overlook. The more obvious answer to inventory losses usually comes from employee or shoplifter theft. Since vendors and suppliers are generally in and out of a store quickly, and when they are in the store they usually have their hands full and are busy unloading product, it is easier to point the finger of suspicion elsewhere.

The truth of the matter is that these vendors and suppliers should not be underestimated (or unattended) as they work in your store. Beyond the varying forms of fraud committed by vendors, these outside workers can be just as guilty of committing shoplifting crimes.

How often do these vendors unload a shipment and then ask to use a restroom? Are they escorted to the facilities, or are they left on their own as your employees focus on their own tasks and work lists? Do the vendors walk past or through areas of store merchandise and supplies? How about food products? 

One of my stores recently started noticing empty food and beverage wrappers and containers back in the bathrooms. At first we thought it was employees stealing the products. As it turned out, one of our suppliers would unload their delivery, and ask to use the restroom. They would pick up candy bars, snacks and a soda on their way back. They would eat and drink their snack in the restroom, leave the packaging, and then walk back out of the store without paying for anything.

The main reason we caught on was that the supplier started to make more frequent visits to the store, even when he didn’t have any deliveries to make. He would claim it was just customer service, checking on us because we were such and important contract of theirs. The reality was he was hungry, needed a snack, and saw us as a (literal) free lunch. 

While the majority of us would not find it effective to use Checkpoint security tags as anti shoplifting devices on a candy bar, using a Checkpoint system not only in the front of house, but also the back stockrooms and exits is a good idea. There are many vendors that will pick up store merchandise that they want and take it with them as they leave out the back receiving and dock exits. These areas are often less well protected from theft because of the lack of foot traffic that goes by them. Most employees go in and out the front doors, as do all of the customers. Usually it is only vendors and suppliers that enter and exit through the back areas.

For those vendors that are inclined to steal, the lack of Checkpoint systems and other anti shoplifting deterrents make it all to easy for them to conduct frequent thefts of store merchandise. With little employee oversight, lack of anti theft monitoring, and access to store merchandise, vendors and suppliers have an easier time stealing from a store than either employees or shoplifters do.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Anti-Shoplifting devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems to stop shoplifting in your store.

For more information on Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint Labels, a Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint Tags and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at Retail theft prevention to Stop Shoplifting in your store or call 1.770.426.0547 

The criminal mind is an ever changing, constantly evolving scheme. Just when you think you have them beat, along comes something completely unexpected. The current trend in theft is to attack where they least expect it to be. Hackers are targeting systems that are seemingly less obvious targets. As a result there is a lower level of security. Retail theft prevention is starting to notice a similar trend.

Shoplifters are starting to target less obvious merchandise. The theory is that retailers are concentrating their resources to stop shoplifting of high end/ high priced, designer, and well-known brands. As a result, shoplifters looking to make an easier score are targeting items that are not common high theft items.

One example is a theft ring that was just caught in Arizona. The thieves were targeting more expensive building block toys. These thieves knew better than to steal hundred dollar fragrances or designer jeans (for example) they went after the toys.

In stores that cater to mostly moms and kids, the retail theft prevention that was in place was much easier to defeat, and these criminals knew it. After several thousands of dollars in product had been lost, the toy stores partnered with the local crime ring task force who ultimately put an end to the losses.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Anti-Shoplifting devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems to stop shoplifting in your store.

For more information on Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint Labels, a Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint Tags and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at Retail theft prevention to Stop Shoplifting in your store or call 1.770.426.0547

Sometimes shoplifting is not a well thought out, super high tech crime. Sometimes shoplifting happens because of an individual’s immediate need. These low-tech crimes are still happening frequently. Checkpoint Security Systems are an ideal way to identify these shoplifters.

A recent news story came out around a lady who decided to go into her local supermarket to shoplift. She seemed to think that the best way to commit this crime was to conceal the product that she wanted. She was extremely obvious in her crime, and was quickly caught on the store’s Checkpoint Security System.

This woman walked over to the seafood section and quickly picked up several packages of lobster tails. She picked up so many packages that the total was over $80 dollars worth. Since she didn’t think to bring a bag with her, she used the next best thing- her pants.

The store security team watched as she stuffed her pants full of packages of lobster tails and then wobbled her way to the exit doors. Because her pants were so full, she was even more obvious as she tried to leave. When she was apprehended, she told police that she was going to trade the tails to a friend for either a buffet lunch or for some prescription drugs.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Anti-Shoplifting devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems to stop shoplifting in your store.

For more information on Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint Labels, a Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint Tags and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at Retail theft prevention to Stop Shoplifting in your store or call 1.770.426.0547 

Anti shoplifting tools are there to be used both during and after operating hours. Components like EAS devices deter and stop shoplifting during the day, while your Checkpoint security system protects your inventory at night. Just as you would perform a test of your EAS devices and towers, you should perform a test of your security system to make sure everything is in working order.

The alarm test is actually pretty simple to conduct and should not take more than about twenty to thirty minutes, depending on the size of your store and the amount of access points to test.

Step one is to call the alarm monitoring company and tell them you are going to conduct a test of your Checkpoint Security Systems. They will place the system on test for you. This is extremely important to do first.

If your system is not on test mode, the alarms that you trigger will notify the police. You may be charged a false alarm fee by your city if the police have to respond.

Next walk through your store. Make sure you walk past all motion sensors and open all doors that have an alarm. When you are done, call the alarm company back to have your system taken off of test mode.

You will now have a detailed list of all points that triggered. Any point that did not alarm that should have needs to have maintenance done immediately.

By ensuring that all points are working, you know that your store will be protected in the event of an after hour break in.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Anti-Shoplifting devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems to stop shoplifting in your store.

For more information on Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint Labels, a Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint Tags and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at Retail theft prevention to Stop Shoplifting in your store or call 1.770.426.0547

Sometimes it is the little things in life that matter. Sometimes it is also the little things that add up to big things, like shoplifting. The average shoplifter usually takes about fifty to one hundred dollars worth of product per each shoplifting incident. That’s not much. In fact, because these are only averages, many retailers have stopped wasting their time apprehending shoplifting incidents under twenty-five dollars.

What they have found is that the time and money spent to apprehend and prosecute these low dollar cases does not outweigh the losses from the crime. So it makes sense financially to let those small-dollar shoplifting incidents go.

The flip side is that when you have too many small dollar incidents, you still add up with a cumulatively large financial loss. For the big box stores that are large enough and financially secure enough to absorb such losses, this is not a big deal. 

What about for the smaller retailer? How much can you effectively absorb before it is too big to handle?

You might want to focus on smaller dollar losses, so they do not become a bigger issue over time. It might make more sense to you to take care to these little things.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Anti-Shoplifting devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems to stop shoplifting in your store.

For more information on Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint Labels, a Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint Tags and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at Retail theft prevention to Stop Shoplifting in your store or call 1.770.426.0547 

Just like we learned in Kindergarten, we should always share. That means we should also share with the shoplifters coming into our stores. The best way to share is to share information like your store policy regarding shoplifters as well as the fact that your store is protected and monitored by Checkpoint Systems.

A large part of anti shoplifting actually comes in the form of education. That means educating your employees on why you use Checkpoint Tags and Checkpoint labels. It also means educating them on what behaviors a shoplifter demonstrates, and also what they can do to deter the shoplifter from stealing.

Sharing this same information with potential shoplifters is equally as important as a deterrent. That doesn’t mean your employees shout across the store that they think a customer is a shoplifter and they are being watched. It means that Checkpoint Tags and Checkpoint Labels are not hidden. They are placed strategically and obviously so shoplifters are aware that the store is being protected.

The same thing goes with signage stating things like “shoplifters will be prosecuted” and “the premises is under video surveillance”. These signs should be displayed prominently so the information can be readily shared with anyone thinking that they might come steal from your store.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Anti-Shoplifting devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems to stop shoplifting in your store.

For more information on Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint Labels, a Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint Tags and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at Retail theft prevention to Stop Shoplifting in your store or call 1.770.426.0547

If customers will not enter a store, there is no way to sell them anything. If a customer comes in, but rushes to get out, any carefully laid out merchandising plans, sales and promotions will do no good to generate additional sales- the customer is simply oblivious to them.

When customers are avoiding being inside of a store for any length of time, the culprit is frequently due to an unsafe feeling. When customers do not feel safe, they are less likely to spend money and potentially will stop shopping at a particular location.

What you can do to prevent avoidance of this kind is to create a safe environment for your customers and your employees.

Make sure parking lot lights are on (and working) when it starts to get dark. Use EAS tags and other kinds of theft prevention like cameras and domes to deter shoplifters and other criminals from even entering your store.

Build a relationship with your local police department, so they routinely stop by to say hi and make sure you are safe.

Preventing shoplifting theft is a perfect way to help build a safe reputation within your store. Customers are more likely to see someone stealing than employees are. If these customers feel unsafe, they will take their money and shop someplace else.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Anti-Shoplifting devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems to stop shoplifting in your store.

For more information on Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint Labels, a Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint Tags and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at Retail theft prevention to Stop Shoplifting in your store or call 1.770.426.0547 

Like many retailers, you may be starting to push an online shopping experience for your existing customers. An online store is also a great way to reach a whole new customer base. Unless you are doing extremely well, you are probably not at a point where you need a separate and distinct shipping warehouse to fulfill your online orders. That means you are fulfilling orders out of your existing stock, from your existing brick and mortar locations.

That makes it even more important to make sure your employees are packaging orders correctly. They need to ensure the product’s size, color, brand and quantity are what have actually been ordered. Your employees also need to make sure that any security tags have been removed or deactivated.

Based upon the product being shipped effects the potential for customer service fail when the customer receives the product. For instance, if a customer orders an item of clothing and the hard security tag has been left on, the customer cannot effectively wear that item. They have to send the item back and wait for a reshipment of that item.

Soft tags are less likely to cause a major issue if they are not deactivated before shipping, but they may still cause some problems for the customer.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Anti-Shoplifting devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems to stop shoplifting in your store.

For more information on Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint Labels, a Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint Tags and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at Retail theft prevention to Stop Shoplifting in your store or call 1.770.426.0547 

It happened in the blink of an eye. It took less than ninety seconds and the thieves were in, out, and gone. Had it not been for the security alarm the thieves set off, we may not have even noticed the theft until it was way to late to do anything about it.

I worked at a major upscale department store. We had several entrance doors in our location, and I had gone to start locking them all up as we closed down for the night. As I was walking to lock up the last door, I heard the security alarms go off. I looked up and saw five guys with their arms loaded with expensive handbags running out the door. The security tags on the handbags set the alarm off notifying us of the problem.

Unfortunately, the security tags did not deter these professional thieves. They knew they were going to be fast getting in and out, and would set the alarm off as they went.

What they didn’t count on was the camera system we had documenting their every move. Even though they disregarded the tags, the alarm let us know what was happening. We were able to use this information to build a case with the police department, which led to their arrest.
Had we not had the tags on to set the alarm off, we would not have noticed that night that the handbags had been stolen.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Anti-Shoplifting devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems to stop shoplifting in your store.

For more information on Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint Labels, a Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint Tags and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at Retail theft prevention to Stop Shoplifting in your store or call 1.770.426.0547