RAT in Retail Theft Prevention

When investigating methods in order to implement an effective retail theft prevention program, it is critical to consider the process when attempting to understand why an offense occurs and why some measures are effective and why others fail to deter crime.

Routine Activity Theory (developed by Marcus Felson and Lawrence E. Cohen) draws on the principles of Rational Choice Theory and Situational Crime Prevention to address these issues.  

A delinquent act occurs through the interaction of three necessary conditions: offenders (shoplifters), targets (merchandise), and locations where offenders and targets intersect (retail stores). Furthermore, each condition has a controller because the controller influences each condition: handler, guardian, or manager.

Handlers are individuals with whom an offender has an emotional attachment and can shape their actions. Guardians are responsible for protecting the targets, such as Checkpoint security tags or security guards. Finally, managers are the retailers, owners, and employees who affect the functioning of the retail environment.

According to RAT, a crime is likely to occur if an offender meets a target in a place that lacks controls. For the purposes of this particular anti-shoplifting analysis, guardians are the most crucial control in establishing retail theft prevention.

Most retailers are unable to direct an offender’s actions or determine if they have proper role models in their life. In addition, managers can only manipulate the environment to a certain degree without impeding an honest customer’s enjoyable shopping experience and risking undesirable consequences in this competitive and litigious society.

Retailers can most effectively deter shoplifting by applying the guardian controller to protect merchandise when using RAT to determine retail theft prevention procedures. The most valuable guardian is Checkpoint security tags when applying this controller in terms of anti-shoplifting endeavors.

Stores have less risk of becoming places where offenders and targets meet without controls when taking advantage of solutions offered by loss prevention experts who utilize Checkpoint systems.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to find retail ant- theft devices and Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems.

For more information on ant- shoplifting, Checkpoint Security System and Checkpoint Security Tags or how they work with Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS system) please contact us via retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547.

Options in Anti-Shoplifting Devices

If you work Loss Prevention in a large store you are more than well aware of how many thousands of different items your place of business can be filled with.  With so many products or so many different types of products (clothing, electronics, furniture, tools, etc) you may feel overwhelmed by the needs to protect every single piece of inventory.  But it is rare for even the most stringent loss prevention policy to dictate that even the two dollar items at the impulse rack need Checkpoint Tags put on them.

Most places have a guideline of price points for each category of inventory sold in the store.  But not every piece of inventory can necessarily use the same anti-shoplifting device as its store-front neighbors.  Your winter jackets can use Checkpoint tags, but have little use for Checkpoint labels.  Likewise, those DVDs you sell can only ever make use of Checkpoint Labels as there is no way to attach anything else to them.  That is why there are options in the world of retail theft prevention; it is a known fact that not every product is the same and therefore the measures used to protect them have to be different.

If you want to be sure your store is making the most of that Checkpoint Security System you have installed make sure that you have enough variety in your retail anti-shoplifting equipment suite to cover all the items you need to protect.

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

For more information on retail Anti-Shoplifting devices, 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

Old loss prevention tools on steroids

When you think of retail theft prevention, you are familiar with proven tactics such as following your store’s loss prevention policies and procedures, providing excellent customer services, installing a Checkpoint security system, applying Checkpoint Security Tags or Checkpoint Security Labels, installing cameras or public view monitors (PVM) and the list goes on.
Customer Service is a proven anti-shoplifting tool. If you or your associates acknowledge customers, it makes the legitimate customer and the shoplifter aware that your staff is watching and alert. PVMs are screens that are placed in high theft areas that show what the camera in that area is recording. It reinforces that the retailer is aware of possible theft or slip and fall situations and is doing something about both situations by recording it on video.
You are also familiar with analog cameras but are you aware that Checkpoint systems also makes use of IP-based surveillance cameras that are meant to improve retail profitability. IP-based cameras can be monitored at a centralized remote location to understand customer and staff behavior. These cameras can be used to analyze store traffic but also show your associates behavior. Are your associates greeting customers as they enter the store which is the building block for retail theft prevention and the store’s anti-shoplifting policies?
IP-cameras can be integrated with your alarm system; if a customer dwells too long in a certain area, the IP-camera can send an alert to store management. Dwell time usually refers to the time a shoplifter may spend in one particular area scoping out the store or possibly waiting for associates to arrive.
Couple this new technology with the use of an existing Checkpoint security system, Checkpoint Security Tags and you are off to an excellent race in your anti-shoplifting fight while continuously improving your bottom line.
Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store to purchase retail theft prevention devices from Checkpoint Systems or visit us at www.losspreventionsystems.com.
For more information on Anti-shoplifting, Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Systems or Checkpoint Security Tags, contact us at 1.770.426.2597.

Clever Uses for Checkpoint Labels

Checkpoint labels are a common sight in retail theft prevention, those little white strips usually glued to the back of a fragrance or a plastic packaging for headphones, or even found tucked inside a DVD case. They are among the most versatile retail anti-shoplifting tools available to those who wish to stop shoplifting within their store.  The problem is that they are so common a sight that anyone who has ever walked into any retail establishment knows of their existence and those who are looking to steal from you know how to identify and sometimes defeat them.  The challenge is to find clever ways to hide the Checkpoint Labels so that it seems as though they are not present at all.

It is a theme present in one of the more fundamental concepts of retail theft prevention; creating the illusion that there is little or no security on hand to stop a theft from taking place.  Making use of the small size of the Checkpoint Labels, you can hide them almost anywhere; the pockets of a pair of jeans, the seam of a jacket, the brim of a hat, the possibilities are only limited by your vision.  By hiding these diminutive anti-shoplifting devices well enough you can create the illusion for shoplifters that they don’t need to use any tools or measures to defeat your labels which will prove otherwise when they pass through the gate of your Checkpoint security system.

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 tags, Checkpoint Security tags, a Checkpoint Security system, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint labels 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

There doesn’t need to be a battle between Customer Service and Loss Prevention.

Throughout my time working in Loss Prevention, I have observed a constant struggle between stopping theft and giving customers the best shopping experience. As a person representing the anti-shoplifting side of retail, if it were up to me, everything in a store would be nailed down, in a case, or behind bars. This is why I don’t own a store and haven’t crossed over to a Customer Service department. Shoppers don’t want to be treated like criminals and they want to have an open merchandise experience where they can try on shoes, pick up purses, and test cosmetics. So how can retailers obtain a healthy balance between these two conflicting missions?

Enter Checkpoint Security Systems, a leader in retail anti-shoplifting solutions. All of the companies that I have worked for except one have used Checkpoint security tags to combat theft of live merchandise. While interviewing shoplifters at the retailer that didn’t utilize solutions from Checkpoint systems, all of them admitted that they chose our store over other retailers because we didn’t have any merchandise protection they would have to worry about defeating. While many professional shoplifters have tools to remove security tags, they still seek out stores that will make their job easier because their tools often don’t work on Checkpoint Security Tags.

Checkpoint security tags also allow stores to offer their customers a live merchandise experience without the suspicion and worry that I constantly live with. With both hard and soft tags offered, shoppers can freely test and try on merchandise without bulky sensors getting in the way or tangled cables preventing them from removing the item from a rack. Retailers and shoppers each have more positive interactions with each other, and guests leave the store happier. The battle between Loss Prevention and customer service is over, with both sides coming out a winner.

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

Does it feel like you’re fighting a losing battle?

Over the years I have worked for a long list of retailers as a loss prevention investigator.  I have spent hours conducting investigations to apprehend shoplifters and dishonest employees for a wide variety of theft related crimes.  The main lesson I learned during this period was that anti-shoplifting initiatives only work if you focus on retail theft prevention.

Shoplifting is going to happen… it is an unfortunate part of being in the retail business.  Our company spent thousands of dollars hiring and training people to watch the cameras and physically detain shoplifters; however, in the end I’m absolutely certain that the key to retail theft prevention is deterrence through the use of anti-shoplifting devices.

I worked for a small company that did not have a checkpoint security system in place and it was overrun with shoplifters daily. It felt like we were constantly at war trying to keep merchandise in the store.

When the yearend shortage numbers rolled out we were appalled by the losses that we incurred despite our efforts.  It was decided that we needed to implement a checkpoint security system to help mitigate our losses.

The Checkpoint Security System sent a clear message to the shoplifters that retail theft prevention was taken seriously. Checkpoint security tags were placed on all of our merchandise and checkpoint systems were installed on the doors.  Once the checkpoint security tags were in place we started to see an increase in the number of items left in our fitting rooms because the shoplifters couldn’t remove the anti-shoplifting devices.

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

Make Retail Theft Prevention your #1 Priority

All major retailers use checkpoint systems.  The reason for this is simple.  Retail theft prevention is a number 1 priority to them!  Big retail has learned over the years that retail anti-shoplifting devices are cost effective and get results.

With the benefit of learning from this experience, specialty retailers and small business owners can develop long term loss prevention programs that will meet budgetary requirements.

Hiring a full time in-store loss prevention team to apprehend shoplifters is expensive and opens the business up to additional liability concerns.  Checkpoint security tags are a discreet and cost effective deterrent because most shoplifters look for exposed or unprotected merchandise.

Checkpoint systems are the first thing a shoplifter looks for when considering which businesses to attack.  Having a checkpoint security system in place indicates to a shoplifter that you are proactively engaging in retail theft prevention and may have trained loss prevention personnel on staff.

A company I recently consulted used checkpoint security tags by checkpoint systems to secure all sales floor and display merchandise.  The business couldn’t justify the cost of a full time loss prevention team and the owner realized early that retail theft prevention needed to be a priority because an entire display table of name brand athletic shirts disappeared a week after the store opened.

We installed a checkpoint security system at each entrance and comprehensive training was provided to all staff members.  Checkpoint security tags were placed on all display and sellable merchandise.  According to the client, when the suspected shoplifters returned to find the business secured with anti-shoplifting devices they didn’t bother even coming into the store.

Any business that invests in the purchase of a checkpoint security system from checkpoint systems will see a return on their investment (ROI).

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

Checkpoint Systems: Your Comprehensive Anti-Shoplifting Strategy

Retail theft prevention is a priority for all retailers and the use retail anti-shoplifting devices is the first step to protect merchandise from external and internal theft.  Merchants continue to see alarming increases in shoplifting incidents as a result of growing economic pressure and checkpoint systems pay for themselves.

A checkpoint security system is the most comprehensive, simple and cost effective form of theft deterrence for merchants.  Checkpoint systems are easy to manage and this state of the art technology requires very little training and maintenance.

You have probably learned by now that most shoplifters are opportunists so the key to retail theft prevention is eliminating the opportunity.  Checkpoint security tags are difficult to remove without the proper tools and this forces shoplifters think twice before challenging the integrity of a merchant.

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

Don’t let your apprehensions get out of hand!

In retail theft prevention the key to a safe apprehension is simple; be smart. We have all seen the horror stories of apprehensions gone wrong, and situations where something gets out of hand causing dangerous circumstances. I myself have experienced situations that have come close to getting out of control had I handled it incorrectly. Situations like these can cause lawsuits, job loss, and can even be life threatening. The biggest thing to remember is that a bad apprehension is never worth its weight in what we could have recovered. Relying on your checkpoint systems can help keep you safe from apprehensions gone wrong.

Your first line of defense is to check for defeated anti- shoplifting devices when investigating a shoplifter. Finding defeated anti -shoplifting devices is extra proof that the shoplifter had the intent to steal. If you don’t find removed Checkpoint tags or Checkpoint Labels, did the checkpoint systems alarm sound when they left the store? If it didn’t, are you positive you saw concealment and had constant surveillance? Video review to ensure accuracy is not only easy with the right equipment, but can save you from a bad mistake if you missed something during your surveillance.

Be a good judge of the situation; always be aware of what is going on around you and be prepared to get out of the way if danger ensues. Having used the hands off approach for years, I have come to realize there is always another way. If words don’t work, rely on the authorities to locate the suspect for you with the information you have already obtained.

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’s no use trying to muffle a Spider Wrap!

Checkpoint security tags, Spider wraps and other checkpoint systems can be a pretty useful tool when it comes to retail theft prevention. Checkpoint systems will deter most people from shoplifting, but every once and a while you get a shoplifter determined to defeat any anti-shoplifting methods you’ve used. Over the years I have acquired many stories about such endeavors. Today I’ll tell you a little story about the man in the pillows.

I was working late one night finishing up putting checkpoint security tags on a new shipment when I saw this guy walk in. The man was on a mission, and I was pretty sure that mission was to steal. I ran back to the office and started watching camera.. The man was clearly looking for something specific. Once he found the electronics, I could tell that was it. Luckily I knew everything there had retail theft prevention measures in place, so I wasn’t too worried about a grab and run. The next thing I knew the man had a digital camera in hand despite the anti-shoplifting methods we had in place.

He headed for the bedding area. Once he got there the man took out a knife and started going at the wire of the spider wrap! I couldn’t believe it. I grabbed the phone and immediately called the police. While I was on the phone the knife snapped through the wire and set off the spider wrap. I knew the spider wrap went off because the man was obviously panicking. He grabbed the wrap by its speaker and squeezed. It muffled the sound I’m sure, but it wasn’t enough. The man then threw the wrap on the ground and began to stomp on it. This didn’t work either. He picked it up and buried it behind some pillows. Now this appeared to work, at least enough for him to get away. He grabbed all the pillows he could find and piled them on and around where he had stashed the wrap. Then he picked up the camera, stuffed it down his pants and made a beeline for the doors. By this time the police had arrived and were waiting for him to exit.

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