Anti-Shoplifting

What dollar level should you tag and label?

January 7, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

This question comes up frequently. Your Checkpoint systems are very effective anti shoplifting devices. But you must use them in a well thought through, deliberate way. You should establish and write down what items you are going to put checkpoint labels and checkpoint tags on. Look at this plan once a month. Compare your employee’s feedback about what items seem to be shoplifted and what items you have protected. Then make changes.

1. Consider conducting a “cycle count” on an item or two that you are concerned with. A cycle count is simply doing a count of how many of one item you have on hand. Add in what you have replenished of that item. Then subtract what you have sold of that item. Your POS/cash register should help you with this last part. Even if you do not track items normally set it up to track this one item you are watching. Instruct your employees to ring that item up that way. This will tell you if you need to include that item in you’re anti shoplifting plan.

2. Set a dollar value threshold. For example if you sell items priced from $0.75 to $250 then you want to look at what items are cost effective to cover. If your margin on the $.075 item is 300% and the thefts have been low then it may not be a good candidate to place checkpoint tags or checkpoint labels on. But if that same item is a high theft item then the amount that you budget or feel is acceptable to absorb in loss may warrant protection.

Many retailers keep it simple and tag/label everything over a certain dollar amount such a $5.00. This approach is fine but could make your cost of labels higher that it could be. However, the trade off with tracking losses and the labor to do it may be worth it.

3. What merchandise items are hot right now? For example in Atlanta and other places in the US there are problems with “Blue Jeans Bandits”. These shoplifters come into a store and scoop up large quantities of higher end jeans and try to run out. In this case good quality hard tags or even Alpha 3 Alarm Hard Tags would be warranted.

Remember, just because you installed checkpoint systems does not mean you will stop shoplifting and the problem is solved. You must take ongoing action to keep the thieves out. Plan for what merchandise you want to use your checkpoint labels and checkpoint tags on. Then revisit this anti shoplifting plan monthly and make modifications. That keeps you on the offence not the defense!

For more information about retail theft prevention , checkpoint systems , checkpoint tags , checkpoint labels , stop shoplifting contact us at anti shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

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Checkpoint Security Systems and the retailer

January 3, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Checkpoint security systems are not your run of the mill systems. Sure, there are many systems out there that claim to provide the same level of security, service and protection. However, few can match the quality and service provided by checkpoint security systems .

What is the benefit of having a checkpoint security system ? For starters, it gives the amateur shoplifter that ability to decide “Never mind, I won’t steal this merchandise today”. Checkpoint security systems work by providing a visual presence, much like a uniformed security guard standing at the front of your store. The would-be shoplifter see’s the inability to exit the store without being noticed, so they give up. Also, look at your merchandise.

In the efforts to help stop shoplifting, retail anti theft devices are affixed to several type of merchandise. Now, when the average shoplifter enters your store, he see’s these retail anti theft devices and decides to not take merchandise. All shoplifters want privacy. They want to be able to get in and out of your store quietly, without being detected. A Checkpoint security system takes away that privacy.

Retailers worldwide are always looking for the solution to stop shoplifting. Can shoplifting be stopped? The jury is still out on that one. For now, focus on reducing the instances of shoplifting and protect your stores, merchandise and employees.

Employees? Did I forget to mention that a Checkpoint security system can help keep honest people honest? Sure, if an employee knows that he must remove retail anti theft devices or has to try and take off checkpoint security tags to defeat the checkpoint systems , he/she certainly will think twice about it.

All in all, keeping your store safe and easy to shop will not only boost your profits but will give your employees a sense that you care. If you care, they will care. If you haven’t already, develop a plan to help stop shoplifting in your stores.

For more information about checkpoint systems , checkpoint security tags , checkpoint labels or anti shoplifting contact us at Checkpoint Security Systems or call us at 1.770.426.0547

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Ways to Stop Shoplifting

January 3, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Ok, let’s face it; there is no fool proof way to stop shoplifting. As hard as we’re working to stop them, they’re working to figure out new improved ways to get away without paying for our merchandise. God forbid they should actually get a job and pay for their goods like regular folks, that would be too much like “right”. So, we’re left with the job of staying knowledgeable on their tricks and trends in order to keep our merchandise in the stores and available to the honest paying customers that frequent our establishments. The following are a few popular ways shoplifters do their dirt:

The baby carriage or stroller is a great tool for shoplifters. There are always blankets, toys, and other things in strollers, including the baby, that merchandise can be hidden under – despicable, I know. Some thieves have even built false bottoms in baby carriages in which to conceal merchandise. A large open bag is a common shoplifter tool. It is placed at the thief’s feet, and objects are casually dropped into it. Be on the lookout for what I call “thief bags” – a paper or plastic bag that is dirty, wrinkled or obviously previously used. Also keep an eye out for shopping bags that are not from local stores. Thieves will bring these in, fill them with your merchandise, and then pretend it was purchased previously or from another store.

You have to be very observant in order to stop shoplifting. A common tactic is to keep a closed, but not snapped, umbrella hanging on your elbow or leaning against a counter, and then to drop items into it. Baggy clothes in general are good places to hide stolen items. Some people have extra pockets or hooks sewn into coats and jackets so that they can easily conceal merchandise without drawing too much attention to themselves. The shoplifter is an inventive creature who will stop at nothing to get away with your merchandise. The only way to stop shoplifting is to stay aware and keep one step ahead of the crooks.

For more information about retail anti theft devices or retail theft prevention or anti shoplifting contact us to stop shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

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Checkpoint Tags, What’s Hot?

January 3, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Checkpoint Systems has an extensive offering of genuine Checkpoint tags. When you combine this with Alpha High Theft Solutions, which is a subsidiary of Checkpoint Systems, you have every weapon in the war on shoplifters. Here is a list of Checkpoint tags that are available. These are also called “hard tags”

Mini Hard Tag – This hard tag is the staple of the line. It is the most popular…for now. It is so popular that it is often imitated, but rarely equaled. The genuine Checkpoint tag has clean well sealed edges. This is important because most of the imitators can be pried apart with either fingers or a pocketknife. Rough edges also tend to snag the very clothing items you are trying to protect.

3G Hard Tag – This tag is picking up in popularity. It is the same size and shape as the mini however there are several major differences. The 3G comes with a locking mechanism that requires a super detacher. This makes removal almost impossible with out a super detacher. The 3G Hard Tag is also constructed differently. The seam is concealed and welded is such a way that it cannot be attacked. This new construction along with the distinctive but subtle white and beige color clearly identify it as genuine Checkpoint Systems.

Button Tag – This is another really neat offering. The Button Tag is about the same size as a large button on a ladies coat. It is black in color. Like the 3G and the Mini Hard Tag it also has a hole for a flex string and it’s locking mechanism is available in either a standard or super detacher. The Button Tag is really compact and provides the same coverage as a mini hard tag. Again, like all Checkpoint Systems tags it is very well constructed.

Maxi Hard Tag – Wow, if you want the maximum protection the Maxi Hard Tag is it. Larger in size to allow for a bigger coil, which makes it’s pick at the antennas much better in challenging situations. The Maxi Hard Tag has very clean, sleek lines in its oval shape. White in color the seam is also very well constructed.

All four of these tags have the raised ring around the pinhole that deters prying of the pin! If you are in doubt about weather or not a Hard Tag is a genuine Checkpoint Systems Hard Tag just look for the name or logo.

For more information about anti shoplifting or checkpoint security tags or retail anti theft devices contact us at stop shoplifting or shop our Retail Loss Prevention Store for genuine Checkpoint Security Tags , systems or installations.

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Does the Web Lead to Increased Shoplifting in Atlanta GA?

January 1, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Does the Web Lead to Increased Shoplifting in Atlanta GA?

Are retailers anti shoplifting efforts being hurt by the Internet?

Consider the supply chain of pilfered merchandise from a store. A professional shoplifter – by that I mean one who makes money by stealing and selling shoplifted merchandise – is only the middle man in the chain. The stolen merchandise usually goes to a fence who has given the shoplifter an order for a particular product, brand, or type of goods.

The fence tries to turn the merchandise quickly, usually through illegitimate retailers, or flea markets. At one time, logistics limited the distribution of stolen property geographically to a more or less local area. But now cheap shipping and the Internet have broadened the thieves’ market. As a result, retailers have had to increase their anti shoplifting efforts.

Auction websites have proven to be a great outlet for stolen property. There is very little control over them and the merchandise sold through them is extremely hard to trace. It is simple to remain anonymous or set up a bogus identity to avoid detection. More and more people are using the Internet to purchase products legally, but the Internet is also becoming a prime outlet for disposing of stolen goods. E-fencing, according to CNBC News, is a $37 billion industry. Much of this property is shoplifted. And the actual thief only receives about 10% on the retail dollar. The fence stands to make a good profit by turning large amounts of merchandise, creating a need for more merchandise.

The retailer and his anti shoplifting program is the key to breaking a link in this supply chain. A merchant that takes steps in retail theft prevention can reduce or stop shoplifting at his business.

There are various ways to step up the anti shoplifting program at any retail business: CCTV, EAS measures such as Checkpoint Security Systems, awareness training, and even a vulnerability survey by loss prevention consultants are all methods to prevent retail theft.

Interested in breaking the supply chain of e-fencing and to stop shoplifting at your business? Call 770-426-0547 or click here: Anti Shoplifting. Visit our Online Store for more ideas in Atlanta GA.

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A Retail Theft Prevention Program, Have One?

December 28, 2010 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

I have a buddy that is a fellow loss prevention professional. He is responsible for his companies retail theft prevention program. His stores sell cellular telephones, accessories and service. He mentioned that their shoplifting is way up. I asked him how they are combating these losses and he said that they are trying to improve customer service skills but little else is planned.

A great anti shoplifting retail theft prevention program must clearly emphasize customer service skills. We know that shoplifters hate any attention. The more they get the more frustrated they become. They leave your store and go to your competitor who is not prepared.

The problem is that good or even great customer service skills alone are not the complete answer. What do you do when the customer to employee ratio is so high that it overwhelms your staff? This is not just during holidays. Payroll is one of our biggest expenses. So we try to keep staffing down to the lowest level we can. Especially now during rough economic times. When this happens it is a boom for shoplifters.

The answer is to send a message to shoplifters with a stop shoplifting program that will send them down the street to unprotected competitors store. This message is delivered with a program that includes Strong customer service skills, a no exception arrest policy, solid employee training and a checkpoint security system .

If you do not jail all shoplifters that word will get around. Shoplifters talk to each other just like you and your friends do. You will become the store of choice for shoplifters. They know they will go to jail they will go elsewhere. You cannot expect to stop shoplifting with out this policy.

A checkpoint security system protects your merchandise 24/7. It does not take a vacation. checkpoint labels or checkpoint tags are placed on your merchandise. When the shoplifting scum of the world attempts to steal they are caught. The deterrent alone will send most shoplifters away. Checkpoint tags are placed on clothing and soft goods. Checkpoint labels are paper thin and placed on any other merchandise from CD’s to power tools to grocery items.

An anti shoplifting retail theft prevention program requires a strong commitment and attitude. Do you have it?

For more information about checkpoint security system or checkpoint labels or checkpoint tags or retail theft prevention or retail anti theft devices or anti shoplifting contact us at stop shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

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Stop Shoplifting During The Holidays

December 23, 2010 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

With the holiday season our attempts to stop shoplifting seem to be like a fish swimming up stream. The problem is not that we may have more shoplifters but that we have more customers. We cannot spend the time we need watching the sales floor. If you have not prepared before this late in the game there is little you can do to put a full anti shoplifting program in place. However, there are some things you can do to slow it down

First use zone coverage. Instruct every employee to watch a certain area of the sales floor. If they spot a shoplifting problem then they should request help from others.

Intensify customer service. Shoplifters hate attention so let’s give them more than they can handle. This includes a greeting when they enter the store or department. I believe that this greeting must be more than a simple “hello”. Eye contact is VERY important. By making eye contact a shoplifter will feel that you remember what they look like and that they have been noticed. This will shut down most impulse and some amateur shoplifters. Your good customer will love it also! Remember that is why they are there to shop and get stellar customer service.

After the insanity of this season is over look at your losses due to shoplifting and make more permanent changes. A good anti shoplifting program has many cogs on the wheel. They are all important and you must use all of them to be profitable. Take a lesson form the major retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Best Buy. As a former Executive for companies like them I know that any anti shoplifting program must have the following:

Solid policy and procedure. Even if you are a one store operation. P&P will help you to guide your employees and draw a line in the sand of what they can and cannot do. If you would like a free copy of a shoplift policy that you can customize to fit you just contact me.

Training, training and more training. You cannot expect that you or your employees can handle shoplifting situations without gaining a comfort level. Anti shoplifting training will do that. You cannot just read this stuff in a book and expect that they will succeed.

Checkpoint security systems . These systems are key to deterring shoplifters of all types: impulse, amateur and professional. Your employees place checkpoint security tags on soft goods such as clothing. checkpoint labels are placed on all other goods. The checkpoint security systems then become your full time, never takes a day off security employee. They watch your goods when you can’t. Like when you are slammed with customers and the customer to employee ratio is high. checkpoint security tags and checkpoint labels are easy to apply and remove or deactivate by your staff.

For more information on anti shoplifting or checkpoint labels or checkpoint security tags or checkpoint security systems contact us at stop shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Anti Shoplifting solutions for your business

December 21, 2010 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Looking for an anti shoplifting solution for your business? I think I have some insight that might help make your decision less blinding.

Anti shoplifting is the focus of many retailers especially in a tough economy. One of the biggest profit killers of any retail establishment is shoplifting. So the question is, how do you stop shoplifting? Well, that’s a tough question. There really is no way to completely stop shoplifting but having a solid business plan and utilizing tools like checkpoint security systems can truly help stop shoplifting in your stores. What is a checkpoint security system ? A checkpoint security system usually consists of placing or installing antenna’s at the front of a store and placing checkpoint tags on merchandise or placing security tags on clothing. Now depending on what type of merchandise you sell, this will dictate the type of checkpoint tags you should use. A pretty straight forward process.

Retail theft prevention is not only responsible, it boosts your profits. Shoplifters can quickly ravage a store, and left unchallenged will hurt the morale of the store associates and eventually kill the business. Anti shoplifting measures must be taken to help curb these incidents and stop shoplifting . Retail theft prevention is true possibility, but you must take the first step and develop an anti shoplifting program. Checkpoint security systems will help prevent retail theft and will help put your business back in the black. If your store is experiencing inventory shrinkage and you are at a loss for the next step, consider what you’ve done to help your store stop shoplifting .

Shoplifting has been around since almost the beginning of time. Shop owners and retailers have had the anti shoplifting battles for thousands of years. There are several solutions out there. Get professional advice.

For more information about retail theft prevention , checkpoint security system , checkpoint tags , retail anti theft devices , retail theft prevention or stop shoplifting visit us at anti shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, checkpoint security system, checkpoint security systems, Checkpoint tags, Retail Anti Theft Devices, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

Retail theft prevention and the use of security and protection products.

December 17, 2010 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Retail theft prevention should be in the forefront of the minds of any retailer. However, there are still a few out there that haven’t yet bought into the fact that retail anti theft devices will help stop shoplifting .

Shoplifters are an everyday occurrence in every retailer, regardless of others opinions, shoplifting happens everywhere, everyday. Managers I have worked with in the past seem to think that because of their products, demographics, employees, and many other poor reasons, they don’t have issues with shoplifting. Yet looking at their business they have highly desirable and merchandise with a high resale value, most certainly puts them in position to suffer severe losses due to shoplifting.

At least one of these businesses I’ve worked with had to learn this reality the hard way. They almost refused to believe shoplifting was happening in their stores. They didn’t believe in retail anti theft devices , and/or any other form to help prevent and stop shoplifting .

Retail theft prevention is relatively simple to understand. You have a business; you don’t want theft or losses. Many of the retail anti theft devices on the market don’t meet the necessary standards to truly impact and prevent shoplifting. Checkpoint security systems installed in many of my stores, provide the means to help control losses and helps prevent future occurrences. Checkpoint security systems , when used properly, will help prevent shoplifting and will boost store profits.

Stores with Checkpoint security systems have shown a dramatic decrease in the amount of shoplifting incidents and have proven to management that shoplifting is occurring and Checkpoint security systems are helping to prevent shoplifting and stop shoplifting . Shoplifters want privacy. They want to get the merchandise they need or want, and get out of the store undetected. checkpoint security systems take away the privacy of the shoplifter.

If retail theft prevention is part of your business strategy, look at retail anti theft devices and a checkpoint security system .

For more information about a checkpoint security system , retail theft prevention , retail anti theft devices or to stop shoplifting visit us at anti shoplifting or call us 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, checkpoint security system, checkpoint security systems, Retail Anti Theft Devices, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

Anti Shoplifting wave hits the retail world

December 10, 2010 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

As if an anti shoplifting wave needs to hit any retailer. If a retailer is waiting to experience shoplifting to engage in anti shoplifting efforts, he’ll close his business first.

Anti shoplifting is a large part of the retail world. Every day, managers and business owners walk their stores and shops wondering if they are doing enough to protect their assets and boost their profits. Are they making any impact? That’s hard to say. Loss Prevention Consultants specialize in overseeing a business and making the necessary recommendation to help a retailer protect them, and encourage sales growth.

A manager/owner I once worked with was under the impression that his shop(s) was not experiencing shoplifting and if it was happening, it was minimal. He sold high end beauty products and believed that since his stores were in a “higher income” area, he wouldn’t suffer from shoplifters.

True, he may not have the same amount of shoplifters, but he will experience shoplifting and with the product he sells, one or two shoplifters could really hurt his business. After a long discussion, and me showing him several instances of shoplifting at surrounding stores and shops, he decided to install a Checkpoint Security system . As I told the manager, a Checkpoint Security system would provide a better sense of security in his store and would truly protect his profits and encourage better customer service. The day of final installation, 3 shoplifters were identified as they drop or threw merchandise as they fled the store. They merchandise dropped was worth several hundred dollars from each shoplifter. The Checkpoint Security system deterred the shoplifters by taking away their privacy.

Now, and since the installation, the store has increased their profits because merchandise is in the store and available for purchase. Anti shoplifting is any everyday task for this manager and his store team.

For more information about checkpoint security system or checkpoint security tags or checkpoint labels or retail anti theft devices or retail theft prevention visit us at anti shoplifting or call us at 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint labels, checkpoint security system, Checkpoint security tags, Retail Anti Theft Devices, retail theft prevention