Liquor bottle security is an odd thing.  It’s not exactly a common practice, or at least not as commonly observed a practice beyond high-end liquor being held behind a cashier’s counter or locked away in a fiberglass cabinet.  But, as with most sad facts of this world, the pilferage of liquor retailers has become something of an epidemic.  The variety of the crimes range from the classic ‘snatch and grab’ to employees taking shots of vodka in the back room.  Truth of the matter is there are only a few ways to really put a stop to, or at least manage, such theft.

Bottle locks, such as the ones made by Alpha Security, serve the same purpose as EAS tags and Spider Wraps; bottle security presents a visible deterrent to shoplifting to anyone even thinking of stealing product from your business.  Since a bottle lock can take many forms you need to consider which style would best suit your needs.  One of the more common variants is the EASy Bottle lock which looks as innocuous as a plastic cup sitting atop a liquid medicine.  It’s simple enough that anyone can apply it and on that same note would give any shoplifter reason to think it would nothing to stop them.  In truth it may not be enough to stop a true pro or a determined employee but it would require them to waste time to remove it or circumvent it.  As for the average, ‘casual’ shoplifter, they more than likely would take a pass than tangle with a bottle lock.  You’d be surprised how much money in inventory such simple bottle security would save you in the end.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase bottle security EASy Bottle bottle locks by Alpha Security.

For more information on Alpha Security, Bottle Lock, Bottle locks, Bottle Security, liquor bottle security or EASy Bottle contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 Including Washington State

When I first started working in Loss Prevention it was before the days that a bottle lock could be affordable and easy to use. We didn’t even give bottle locks a second thought. Our bottle security was simply catching shoplifters. Now, I can’t imagine not using bottle locks as our liquor bottle security. Without it we were extremely vulnerable to theft. We caught a lot of shoplifters in those days. We had a window on the second floor that overlooked the liquor aisle; all I needed to do was sit up in my perch and watch. I would be guaranteed at least one shoplifter a day with this method. It was great, I was being very productive. But if you think about it, if it was that easy to catch a shoplifter, how many bottles were going out the door when I wasn’t there.

Deep down I think we knew that even though we were catching a lot of shoplifters, we were not really having as big of an effect on our shortage as we should have been. I wish we had decided to become an early adopter of the bottle lock. It would have saved us a lot of time and money. Once we started using Alpha Security bottle locks we really started to see a dent in our shortage numbers. Liquor bottle security was the best thing we could have done to hold on to our inventory.

One of the best things about EASy bottle bottle security is that your inventory is safe even when you aren’t watching. We still catch a lot of shoplifters, but now we have more time to focus on other areas where losses were previously being missed.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase EASy Bottle bottle locks by Alpha Security.

For more information on Alpha Security , Bottle Lock , Bottle locks , Bottle Security , liquor bottle security or EASy Bottle contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Alpha Security has a product that should be used by every retailer that sells liquor.  Liquor Bottle Security is going to be come a necessity in the state of Washington, as private retailers will now be able to sell hard liquor at their stores.  Like any product, liquor is a desirable theft item.  To prevent your profits from shrinking as well as your inventory, bottle locks should be a must have item for you retail outlet.

The privatization of liquor will bring a whole new element to both the grocery and warehouse grocery industries.  In the state run liquor stores, bottle locks have not been used on average price point merchandise.  This was partially due to the relatively small size of the state liquor stores and the penalty of stealing from a state owned store.  Bottle lock technology will become a real solution for the private storeowner.  Bottle security will be paramount to the financial health of these stores.  Without the deterring factor of the state store, small business owners will need to really think about Liquor bottle security, not only from a theft perspective, but also from financial impact due to liability issues.

Alpha Security has developed a product known as the EASy Bottle.  This bottle lock has been effectively used in other states where liquor sales are done in your neighborhood store and supermarket.  The EASy Bottle takes a proactive approach to liquor bottle security.  The bottle lock secures the opening of the product.  The bottle lock requires a special key for removing the item at the point of sale.  The acts a deterrent and prevents employees and shoplifters from stealing your merchandise.  This approach to liquor bottle security is far less intrusive to the customer, as it still allows them to make selection of the product.  The new outlet for liquor should also include bottle security.  Bottle security can and should include bottle locks.  Bottle security can save the retailer time and money.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase EASy Bottle bottle locks by Alpha Security.

For more information on Alpha Security , Bottle Lock , Bottle locks , Bottle Security , liquor bottle security or EASy Bottle contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

A friend of mine has all the passion of an entrepreneur and absolutely no patience. When news of potential privatization of the state run liquor stores hit his state he had visions of buying and running several of these locations. He gave no thought to liquor bottle security or loss prevention of any kind. He just knew he was going to run his own fleet of package stores and be the boss.

I obviously tried to help ground him a bit as I have done throughout our friendship. I wanted him to sit down and formulate a business plan that included a well rounded loss prevention piece that addressed bottle security directly. I even offered to do some research for him since I knew he would not give it a thought otherwise. I was looking for a company that made any type of bottle locks. At that point in time I didn’t know if there was any such thing as a bottle lock. I was hoping there would be bottle locks that could be placed somewhere on the bottle to deter shoplifting. It was imperative that we find a bottle security solution before my friend bought one or more of these businesses otherwise we would be playing catch up forever.

I found a company called Alpha security, they had an entire system, the EASy bottle system that employed alarmed bottle locks. I could not believe our luck. In speaking with Alpha Security representative I was happy to hear there were different models of the bottle lock and that he would be happy to bring the actual bottle locks to a sit down meeting to discuss Alpha security’s potential to do business with my friend.

My friend had purchased three locations and was excited to get started. We reviewed several options for liquor bottle security including the EASy bottle system, several versions of the bottle lock, CCTV and wireless video monitoring. The Alpha Security representative was very helpful and was very knowledgeable regarding overall bottle security. He helped my friend make some very cost effective decisions regarding his liquor bottle security strategy. In the end it was a mix of the EASy bottle security system and CCTV that became the foundation for my friend to secure his business.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase EASy Bottle bottle locks by Alpha Security.

For more information on Alpha Security , Bottle Lock , Bottle locks , Bottle Security , liquor bottle security or EASy Bottle contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 

In the business of Loss Prevention, we have a saying. You can’t be there all the time. People usually used it as a cop out for losses that occur when they aren’t around, but it can also speak to why things like bottle security are so important. I’ve been using Alpha security products for my liquor bottle security needs for a long time, and it makes me feel comfortable that even when I’m not watching cameras, my merchandise is safe and secure with the EASy Bottle bottle lock system.

I spent a lot of time and stress frustrated with losses that were occurring just after I left work or just before I got there. There is nothing worse than walking in to an employee telling you, “You just missed a case! Five minutes ago there was this guy that…” you get the picture. The fact is that no matter how much you try or how many eyes you have watching, you are never going to catch 100% of the thieves that walk into your building. On the bright side, bottle locks can do a much better job of this. For starters, liquor bottle security is a huge deterrent. A shoplifter takes one look at that and says, “I’m going down the street to a place that doesn’t have a bottle locks.” And when you have that overly determined shoplifter willing to take the risk, they will soon realize that when they get outside, they still can’t open the bottle lock, and they won’t be back again. Bottle security deters theft, detects theft, and prevents those pesky repeat offenders all the time, not just when you’re there.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase EASy Bottle bottle locks by Alpha Security.

For more information on Alpha Security , Bottle Lock , Bottle locks , Bottle Security , liquor bottle security or EASy Bottle contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

According to a 2011 study on underage drinking conducted by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, shoplifting has become an increasingly popular method used by minors to illegally obtain alcohol. Underage drinking has an effect on the community as a whole, and it’s the duty of schools and parents to reduce opportunities for unsupervised parties and home access to alcohol. But what responsibilities are left to retailers? Legally, in most jurisdictions expectations of retailers extend to asking for identification and training their employees on spotting fakes and counterfeits. Socially, however, shouldn’t we be making it harder for the youths in our communities to illegally consume alcohol?

Based on the findings of this study, a national campaign called We Don’t Serve Teens is being promoted and sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission. This campaign stresses the role retailers’ can play in reducing underage alcohol access and consumption.  The commission recommends that retailers not only take steps to decrease overall theft in their establishment, but especially theft by minors. One of their suggestions was for stores to have a more open floor plan to make it easier for store personnel to monitor their alcohol stock.

The commission also recommended retailers to increase their liquor bottle security and significantly reduce not only underage alcohol theft but all liquor shoplifting, by investing in bottle locks; an anti-theft device that is secured over the cap of the bottle and removed after the item is sold. Not only do these devices serve as visual deterrents, they physically prevent someone from accessing the bottle’s contents while it’s secured on the product. Not only do they help retailers with their problems of bottle security, but they help make them more socially responsible and responsive to the needs of their community by preventing underage alcohol theft.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase EASy Bottle bottle locks by Alpha Security.

For more information on Alpha Security, Bottle Lock, Bottle locks, Bottle Security, liquor bottle security, or EASy Bottle contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

While no one ever plans on having an employee steal, it is an unfortunate reality of the retail environment. Take a look at the following suggestions. There are no sure fire ways to avoid theft. Implementing some of these strategies will reduce your exposure to the criminal element.

First, are you running background checks on your employees? That will help reduce the bad apples from the start.

Next, understand that the honest employees you do hire may not always remain so. Be watchful of signs of financial stress or alcohol abuse. Both situations could lead to cash or liquor theft.

The next part is to implement some form of bottle security. Alpha Security has a truly comprehensive line of products specifically for liquor bottle security. Their EASy Bottle is a quick fix to prevent theft. It is a cap that is placed over the top of a bottle that has an embedded alarm tag. Too close to the doors without being removed will sound the audible alarm on your towers.

Keep in mind that Bottle locks are great to guard against both employee theft and external theft (shoplifters).

If you can, include some camera equipment at your store. Common points of view would be over the registers and at the entrance/ exit doors. Make sure that your cameras are visible to anyone who enters. As a general rule, people are less likely to do something bad if they are aware of being filmed.

This is a great start to protecting your employee’s good name and your good profits. Keep your eyes open and your employees will be more likely to stay honest.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase EASy Bottle bottle locks by Alpha Security.

For more information on Alpha Security , Bottle Lock , Bottle locks , Bottle Security , liquor bottle security or EASy Bottle contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

There are two types of liquor bottle security: Passive and Assertive. When one starts to look at how to protect the investment of liquor and wine inventory, it is important to take a dual approach. While there are many different components to passive and assertive theft prevention, here are a few examples of each one.

A passive form of bottle security is one that leaves an impression in someone’s mind that there is more to your liquor bottle security program. It can be as simple as taking inventory on a daily basis. That doesn’t mean you have to count every bottle every day. It could just mean you pick a select grouping to count. Anyone who is watching (employee or customer) will have the impression that if something is missing, you will know immediately. They will be less likely to steal.

An assertive form of bottle security would be the use of an anti theft device such as the EASy bottle by Alpha security. This is a product that attaches over the mouth of a bottle. It prevents the contents from being consumed prior to purchase. The EASy Bottle Bottle lock will also sound an alarm at the doors if the lock gets too close.

These bottle locks are visual deterrents against shoplifting. It is a more in your face approach, as anyone who enters your establishment will take note of their presence.

Being passive and assertive in your shrink reduction will lend to consistent levels of profit. Taking a dual approach will strengthen your rate of success.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase EASy Bottle bottle locks by Alpha Security.

For more information on Alpha Security , Bottle Lock , Bottle locks , Bottle Security , liquor bottle security or EASy Bottle contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

 

As of late I have been contacted by a few potential business owners who are eyeing up the latest trends by states to get out of the state run liquor store business. These potential business owners contacted me as a lp consultant to go over a way to move from a government run entity to a privately run business. We all know that the private sector is more conscious of protecting the bottom line.

My initial move was to go to a few of the proposed state run locations to see what bottle security measures, if any, they had in place. Besides CCTV I did not see any additional liquor bottle security. I was troubled at the lack of urgency to secure the inventory. I spoke to a couple of the managers regarding my research into their loss prevention techniques and they confirmed that the only bottle security measures they had in place was their inventory counts and CCTV.

My second step in the process was to research any company that touted liquor bottle security as one of their fortes’. I came across a company called Alpha Security. I was duly impressed with Alpha Security’s EASy Bottle system which employed an alarmed bottle lock as the key to its success. There were several different types of bottle locks offered within the EASy bottle system. All of the bottle locks were alarmed and if tampered with would render the product in-consumable. My only concern was that the bottle lock would be too cumbersome for proper marketing and storage. I was delighted to see that not only were the bottle locks not too big or gaudy but that they were in fact lean and aesthetically pleasing while clearly denoting its purpose to deter theft.

Armed with this research regarding Alpha Security’s EASy bottle system I sat down with several of these potential business owners. Liquor bottle security was the topic of discussion. They were duly impressed with the dual purpose of the bottle lock, excellent bottle security and storage/marketing capability. The business owners saw the weakness of the government run facilities attempt at loss prevention and the strength of Alpha Security’s solutions to those loss prevention opportunities. An overall strategy was formulated that I believe will give these business owners a fighting chance to facilitate a seamless change from the government sector to the private sector.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase EASy Bottle bottle locks by Alpha Security.

For more information on Alpha Security, Bottle Lock, Bottle locks, Bottle Security, liquor bottle security or EASy Bottle contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 

I was consulting for a gentleman that owns three liquor store locations in urban markets. He was having significant shrink in all of his locations. He had only been in business for about two years and although sales were healthy his losses were eroding most of the profits he was acquiring. I asked him what type of loss prevention tools he had, CCTV, EAS, bottle locks, lockable cases etc. I was trying to gauge what type of liquor bottle security he had started out with and find out if those tools were being utilized correctly. The owner stated that the only loss prevention tool he had purchased was CCTV in all three locations. I told him I wanted to visit all three locations, meet the staffs and review each store from top to bottom as well as view the books and sample some video. This would give me a closer insight as to the source of his losses.

Not surprisingly the source of shrink for all three stores was a combination of blatant shoplifting and employee indifference to the thefts. I found no evidence of employee theft but definitely a frustration among the staffs that they were helpless to catch the thieves. They all expressed a need for additional liquor bottle security. The business was on the brink of failure and was looking over a bottomless pit. I had my work cut out for me.

I found a company called Alpha security that specifically dealt with liquor bottle security via a system they called EASy Bottle which employed the use of actual bottle locks. Each bottle lock was alarmed and if attempts were made to defeat the tag it would render the contents of the bottle inconsumable. I was impressed with the bottle locks dual purpose. I was equally impressed with lean sleekness of the bottle lock which allowed the bottles to be stored on shelves without affecting marketing or storage. Alpha Security has successfully applied RF technology to their EASy Bottle system. This type of bottle security would be the cornerstone of my strategy to help the business owner.

I sat down with the business owner and reviewed the results of my overall audit. He was a bit surprised at the employee indifference but otherwise was very open to the results. The next step was to discuss my thoughts to improve bottle security within his stores. I laid out Alpha Security’s EASY Bottle system. I was sure to bring a few bottle locks with me to show him how the bottle lock worked with his product. The owner was extremely excited about the EASy bottle system as being the main focus of bottle security in his three stores.

We sat down we each store staff laid out the plan to protect the company’s assets and explained that they would have to work diligently to implement and interact with the system to ensure success. Training was a huge key in this business’s success story. Within 3 months of employing the EASy Bottle system the company’s shrink was on a sharp decline. By the end of the year the shrink had been reduced by more than 60%. Needless to say both I and the business owner were very happy with Alpha Security’s system.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase EASy Bottle bottle locks by Alpha Security.

For more information on Alpha Security, Bottle Lock, Bottle locks, Bottle Security, liquor bottle security or EASy Bottle contact us or call 1.770.426.0547