checkpoint systems

How Reliable is Your Electronic Article Surveillance Supplier And The Equipment They Are Selling?

June 13, 2018 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

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How Reliable is Your Electronic Article Surveillance Supplier And The Equipment They Are Selling?

Exaggerated claims and broken promises take place in all types of businesses and they also exist among suppliers of electronic article surveillance systems. It can be irritating when a sales representative over-promises on a product or service. I recall a car purchase I made once and I was told everything was in order and handed the keys to the vehicle. I had the car for one day and on the second day received a call at my job from the salesman who had sold the car to me. He claimed that they needed me to come to the dealership because there was an issue with my down payment. The representative said that they needed me to put more money down. I was livid. I expressed my anger, told them I had signed their paperwork and contracts and they had allowed me to drive off the lot. Now they were breaking their own agreement. I intentionally spoke in a loud voice for all to hear. The representative asked me to wait while he spoke to his manager. The representative returned and said there was no problem after all and thank you for coming down. I started to walk out, noticed there were other customers in the showroom and made a point to ask in a loud voice, “So everything is good? I don’t have to put any more money down? I can leave and you won’t be calling me back from work again, right?” The customers looked at me and the salesman as he looked sheepish and steered me out the door telling me that all was well with the transaction. Some people will do whatever they can to make a sale but when it comes to dishonest electronic article surveillance sellers the impact can have bigger consequences. Knock-off and second-rate retail anti-theft devices and accompanying systems can hurt the profits of a business. They may not hold up to the promise that the seller makes to stop shoplifting in your store from taking place.

Checkpoint security tags deliver on the promise to stop shoplifting and reduce shortage. They are so reliable that Loss Prevention Systems Inc. CEO, Bill Bregar trusts Checkpoint products for the clients his company services. Small and medium sized retailers need a security consulting firm to identify risks to the business and how to prevent theft. Usually some form of anti-theft prevention needs to be put in place and Checkpoint security tags and electronic article surveillance towers are the recommended hardware solutions. The tags are designed to deter shoplifters and dishonest employees when they see them on merchandise but they also work together to create an electronic barrier to criminals. The tags send out a signal that is received by a tower (usually located near store entry and exit doors) and when products with tags on them are carried close to the doorway the tower sounds an alarm. At the sound of an alarm store associates respond and conduct receipt checks and get the merchandise back OR the offender decides to pay for the merchandise they “forgot” they had. Either way Checkpoint security tags are dependable. As someone who has over 27 years in retail experience and 17 of those years in Loss Prevention, I have used Checkpoint systems and can attest to the reliability of the equipment.

So how does a car sale fiasco relate to anti-theft protection equipment? There are dishonest electronic article surveillance dealers on the internet and it is easy to find them. They will promise you speedy delivery, quick installation and devices that will prevent theft. Don’t be duped by double talking devils who may have little or no retail experience and perhaps ZERO Loss Prevention experience. Talk to the folks at Loss Prevention Systems Inc. They have the background to help you identify what you really need to reduce shortage and Checkpoint security tags and towers that are proven to work. Don’t overlook support help either. Once an internet seller does install your anti-theft equipment are they going to be reliable and provide you with the service and support you will need after they have packed up their tools and left? Loss Prevention Systems Inc. ensures the clients they serve have the resources they need for service and by the way, Checkpoint Evolve electronics come with a 5 year warranty! THAT is impressive for any electronics products.

Don’t take a chance with a fly-by night internet company trying to sell you a bill of goods. Loss Prevention Systems Inc. has been around since 1983 which is a testament to the services they provide. Check out their website and learn about the services and electronic article surveillance equipment they can provide to make your business more profitable.

Checkpoint security tags are important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Checkpoint security tags, checkpoint systems, stop shoplifting

Food Safety And Food Security; Addressing Two Concerns By Using Checkpoint Labels

January 12, 2018 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

A friend of mine in my office was talking about wanting to try eating Fugu Sushi…I am not a fan of eating raw fish anyways but I had to ask what Fugu Sushi is. My friend explained it is sushi made from…wait for it…Puffer fish! Yup, he wants to try eating poisonous fish. First of all, on my bucket list of things to do before I die, eating something that may expedite my need to complete my bucket list early is not one of them. Second it seems to me this is a food safety issue (or lack of one). Geez, why not just undercook your pork and try eating that to see if you can kill yourself? I have an idea, cut up raw chicken on your countertop and then prepare other foods. Why travel all the way to Japan to commit hari kari? My friend is a little odd. When it comes to food safety I have another take on it and one more palatable to grocery retailers. How about the safety in not worrying about meat being stolen from the cooler shelves? Thieves coming in to steal meat cost a store extraordinary amounts of money and pose a safety risk to other customers and employees. Checkpoint Systems has Checkpoint labels that are safe for food AND can stop shoplifting.

Checkpoint Systems has a wide range of tools to assist stores in reducing shortage caused by theft, fraud and even operational errors. Checkpoint labels are one of the tools offered to protect merchandise. The labels are designed to interact with electronic article surveillance towers touching off a tower alarm when merchandise tagged with a label is carried too close to the detection field of the tower. I have used Checkpoint Systems products as a Loss Prevention Manager and have seen how effective they are in their ability to stop shoplifting. The labels are extremely difficult to pull off of merchandise once put in place. They are also easy to conceal in merchandise when you don’t want the bad guys to know where a tag is placed. As a side note it can be funny watching shoplifters trying to locate hidden tags then finding them and trying to peel them off. Often they get frustrated and just leave the merchandise which is the whole point of merchandise protection.

Okay, now you’re thinking what does food safety have to do with security and Checkpoint labels? Good question. One of the most expensive items a grocery store sells is meat. I was just looking at roasts in my favorite grocery store and a roast beef was $18, a package of steaks $25 and a very large pork roast was half price at $32! I have watched shoplifters stuff steaks down their pants and hide roasts under their coats. The losses can crush a small grocery retailer especially when it is estimated the profit margins for a grocery store range from 1%-3%. That does not leave much room for loss due to theft. That is a financial security issue and one which I have discussed in other articles. There is a safety concern as well because frequently shoplifters will conceal merchandise and run out of a store or if approached by a manager or employee about a suspected theft they will push past anyone in their way. I have seen young children almost pushed to the floor as a shoplifter was desperate to run from a store.

To solve this food safety and security issue Checkpoint Systems has created two labels that can be used to stop shoplifting. One label can be placed on packaging or under meat soaker pads to hide them. Another label is safe for food packaging. Both are food safe and microwave safe. Since they are from Checkpoint both have electronic article surveillance protection designed in them so they will set off towers even if a protected steak is concealed in a shoplifter’s pants.

Yes, this is a bit of a different way of looking at food safety but using Checkpoint labels will stop shoplifting and the safety concerns associated with shoplifter actions. They also keep profits in the store where they need to be.

Checkpoint labels are important and we can help you with them. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Checkpoint labels, checkpoint systems, stop shoplifting

Retail Theft Prevention Strategies Should Include Building Relationships Part 2

October 12, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

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Retail Theft Prevention Strategies Should Include Building Relationships Part 2

When we talk about retail theft prevention the first thing that comes to mind is a strategy that includes closed circuit television equipment and security personnel (uniformed and undercover). Sometimes people will think of securing product by locking it up in showcases or using electronic article surveillance equipment from a company such as Checkpoint Systems. It might also consist of store layouts, how areas may be corralled to limit access and prevent merchandise from leaving that specific area. In Part 1 I began by walking down memory lane and I talked about how I matured and grew in my perspective on partnerships, theft prevention and some of the influences that changed my perspective. I also discussed how building relations with vendors helped me to build important relationships with local police that proved mutually beneficial to the department and my store. It is this building of relationships that I want to focus on as one strategy for a strong retail theft prevention program.

Retail theft prevention should always be a multifaceted program. Each of the strategies I spoke of in the introduction are important to a well-rounded approach to reduce theft and stock shortage. While protecting merchandise is an important piece of that strategy including careful placement of cameras and mirrors, installing EAS towers from Checkpoint Systems at the front doors and using anti-theft devices to prevent shoplifting, there are other things managers can do to enhance shortage reduction efforts. This includes the creation of employee awareness programs, use of pre-employment screenings and what has become one of my favorite strategies, building external relationships.

As a Loss Prevention Manager, the company I worked for helped to sponsor an annual event with police departments nationwide. The events were community gatherings focusing on efforts to build community relations and strengthen crime watch groups to reduce crime. Our store was so successful that we received requests for assistance from communities 15 or 20 miles away from our store that heard about the program and wanted to participate. Our store team sent representatives to three areas to represent our company. While I have no numbers to prove it impacted shortage reduction directly, I do believe our participation grew our company brand recognition and helped drive sales, which is one way to drive down shrink as a percent to sales.

Our store also had Christmas events in which local schools would have choirs come and sing and students would help with gift wrapping for seniors. I would take advantage of these events to provide tours of my security office for the kids. The looks on their faces was priceless as they saw most of our camera views and saw a demonstration of how a camera could zoom in and read a license plate on a car in the parking lot. When I let them try the camera controls you would have thought they had a new video game unit, it was fun to watch. You may wonder how this would have enhanced a retail theft prevention program. My feeling is that by educating these children early they will be less likely to steal as they get older, remembering what they learned.

I earlier mentioned the vendor relations I built with Checkpoint Systems and my CCTV vendor, but one other relationship that was extremely helpful was one I developed with the site supervisor of the company that was in charge of a major store remodel we went through. By working closely with him and his team, I was able to bring to his attention concerns I had with building security issues as the project progressed. There were workers that would try to bypass our security checks of tool boxes and equipment when they left. There were times when I would find unsecured doors or access ways when work in an area was complete for a day. I had the support of the site manager to challenge his supervisors and workers when I found security concerns. What was the result of this partnership? All I heard before the remodel was how inventory shortage always goes out the roof for the inventory that follows. Our inventory results remained well under 1%, in line with prior year results.

The old saying goes, there is no “I” in team. The same is true for retail theft prevention. Build relationships with your store team members, vendors, community and police departments and the pay-off will show in reduced shortage results.

Retail theft prevention is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint systems, retail theft prevention

Retail Theft Prevention Strategies Should Include Building Relationships Part 1

September 10, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

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Retail Theft Prevention Strategies Should Include Building Relationships Part 1

Retail theft prevention is something I have enjoyed since the day I started working in it. If I were to be asked what my favorite part about doing Loss Prevention work is, I would have a hard time saying one thing. That’s because at different times in my career there were various parts of the job that really made my job rewarding. It was fun to stop shoplifting when I started out my career, watching a theft transpire and the adrenaline kicked in as I readied myself for the concealment and the stop I would be making. As I advanced and became a Loss Prevention Manager I continued to catch shoplifters every so often but I started having to train employees about shortage reduction and the expectations upon them in preventing theft and fraud. These sessions usually took place during new employee orientations. I found that training others was a piece of shortage reduction I found to be rewarding (I also found I could start picking out potential future dishonest employees by their questions and their attention in class). As the L.P. Manager I also had interactions with various vendors, such as the property management officials, closed circuit television technicians and Checkpoint Systems technicians who worked on our electronic article surveillance equipment. As I progressed in my career I took these early lessons in building partnerships to create closer ties that became part of our shortage reduction culture.

I found that as I built strong partnership with vendors I was able to get improved service for the store. One example was an upgrade we did with our CCTV system. The contract was with a new company and the workers came out, completed the upgrades, took time to explain the changes and trained me on what I would need to know. I completed a positive survey of their work for my company. A few years later we underwent another upgrade and because of my survey this company received the contract. The technicians went out of their way to show me how they crimped BNC connectors rather than using twist-ons like I was used to and they left me extras and a crimping tool. My relations with the Checkpoint Systems vendors were great as well. I didn’t place “urgent” requests in unnecessarily. If I had a repair need and the technician called we would talk about the issue. If it was something that could wait until he could get to my store a few days later due to other calls, I would do my best to work with him. It might have been a checklane that had a faulty deactivation unit. If I didn’t have a spare unit I would shut down that register for a few days. If my request was going to have a significant impact on retail theft prevention and shortage such as a pedestal not working then I would get the faster service. I can tell you that this mutual respect paid off when I would request a system check just before the holidays to ensure our system was running at peak performance. I always seemed to be at the top of his list of priorities.

I already had friendships I had built with local law enforcement from my job as a Loss Prevention Officer, but using the skills I was developing with vendor relations I found I was able to create a new level of partnership with my police department. Nothing enhances store security more than having police cars parked at the curb of the store or a couple of police bikes located inside the doors to the building. Police stopped at our store for no other reason than to come and visit with our L.P. team in our office. When the police department wanted to conduct a children’s I.D. session for families, our store allowed them to set up a table up front. When they started a Santa’s Helper’s program the store manager made sure we were the retailer to volunteer to help out by adding extra staff and feeding the kids and officers lunch. Since the officers were spending time at our store, I took the time to attend a citizen’s class they offered (about an 8 week program) to let them know I valued what they offered. Like my partnership with Checkpoint Systems, when I was in need of help from the police, I can attest that I rarely had to wait long on a response.

In Part 2 I will provide some other strategies I learned along the way that made Loss Prevention rewarding AND helped me in creating a strong retail theft prevention program. Loss Prevention programs are important to shortage reduction and partnerships with others enhances those programs.

Get more information on Retail Theft Prevention, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint systems, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

Customer Service A Hallmark Of Checkpoint Systems; A Loss Prevention Manager’s Perspective

August 16, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

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Customer Service A Hallmark Of Checkpoint Systems; A Loss Prevention Manager’s Perspective

When I use a product or find a service I truly like I not only use that service regularly but I willingly promote it too. One example is a restaurant I like to visit with my wife when I can afford to splurge a little on a dinner. EVERY time I have visited this restaurant I have always received outstanding service and food. I have never had to send my food back because it wasn’t prepared properly. I have never had poor service from a hostess, waiter or waitress at this location. Even when the place is hopping I never feel like I’m being rushed to eat and get out so the next family can be seated. Because of this service I don’t mind suggesting the restaurant as a place to go for a casual night out. This is the same way I felt about Checkpoint Systems when I was a Loss Prevention Manager. I always had great service from anyone I met from the company and because of that I experience I like to share my observations about the company and their products.

Checkpoint Systems was the company contracted by the retailer I worked for to provide our merchandise protection strategy. Starting with the electronic article surveillance (EAS) pedestals at the front doors, to the Checkpoint Tags we applied to merchandise, especially in the electronics department, this company impressed me with not just the technology but also the service provided by their technicians. I was part of the store opening for this retailer and was involved with the installation of the security systems, including CCTV and the Checkpoint Security System and being new as a Loss Prevention Manager, had a lot of questions. The Checkpoint technicians were busy with their work but allowed me to tag behind them and explained what they were doing and how the system operated. As you can imagine not all of the vendors were anxious to have a shadow and especially a rookie still learning his job. Hey, I was anxious to do a good job so I didn’t see a problem with my million and one questions. Through the whole process the Checkpoint techs really stick in my mind, even today, some 22 years later.

The guys from Checkpoint Systems took time to explain how the EAS towers worked, how they could pick up the radio frequency waves emitted by Checkpoint Tags and how various things could give false alarms. They warned me about issues with foil gift wrap at Christmas, extension cords and vacuum cleaners and how they could potentially set off the pedestals. At that time I had no clue that there could be interference from products. I had worked with some EAS in my prior job as a Loss Prevention Associate but this had never been explained to me. All of this went into my notes so I could follow up on it later. I should note here that since those days, many improvements have been made in Checkpoint Security System pedestals reducing the chances of merchandise-caused alarms and ghost alarms. They even make towers now that can detect when foil lined booster bags are brought into a store as well as detection devices that can pick up EAS jammers.

After the installation was complete these professionals didn’t just leave. They spent time training me on how to test the deactivation pads at the cash stands and how to complete daily tests of the EAS towers. They left spare deactivation units and pads and showed me how to change them out in case of a failure until a technician could come to the store to repair and replace a faulty unit. The techs also spent time with our front end supervisors and me discussing the proper methods for responding to alarms and logging them on a log sheet. This information was used so we could retrain cashiers when necessary and identify possible equipment problems. They also took time to show my L.P. team and me the best methods for placing Checkpoint Tags on merchandise, I had no idea placement could make such a difference!

As a result of the EAS equipment that was installed, the training of our staff and the follow-up equipment inspections and quick responses to service calls, I saw the impact a Checkpoint Security System could have on shortage results. We made numerous recoveries of unpaid merchandise and the deterrence value to prevent shoplifting was measured by the fact that over my nearly 13 years as the L.P. Manager for this store, we only had 2 years that had over 1% merchandise shrinkage. I can only say, if you are in need of reducing shortage, Checkpoint is the solution you are looking for.

Get more information on Checkpoint Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint security system, checkpoint systems, Checkpoint tags

Checkpoint Security Systems Latest Label Leaves A Lasting Impression For ORC Groups

July 11, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

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Checkpoint Security Systems Latest Label Leaves A Lasting Impression For ORC Groups

I enjoy watching movies like “Mission Impossible” or “The Bourne” series or occasionally a James Bond film will strike my fancy. There are always the latest gadgets or spy toys used to catch the criminals. Maybe it’s a vehicle tracker or a pair of “electronic charged gloves” that allows the hero to climb up the side of a building. Sometimes the gear seems a little far- fetched and at other times you know it is real, you just wonder how often such things are used. I like to imagine using some high tech tracking device to follow bad guys and break up an international crime syndicate. On the other hand, I can tell you about a new device on the market available to retailers to help them curb theft. This one does have potential for helping investigators catch Organized Theft Rings and stop shoplifting. It kind of reminds me of those techy movies, but this involves Checkpoint security systems and new Checkpoint labels.

I know, you’re sitting there thinking this guy has gone a little off the deep end or he is just really exaggerating the value of this new device. Well, I may be a little off the deep end, but in this case I am not overstating the value of this newest weapon in the arsenal of Checkpoint labels. The item I am talking about is the 2928 S micro “SWAT” Tag, a small 1 inch diameter label that works with Checkpoint Systems electronic article surveillance (EAS) towers. With a clear viewing label, it is easy to apply to all types of merchandise but especially small health and beauty products that are a favorite with Organized Retail Crime (ORC) rings. In the past these items could be hard to protect with tags because the tags were too large or covered vital ingredient information or warning labels. The clear viewing label allows that information to be read by the customer and still provide the necessary protection to stop shoplifting of the merchandise. The thing that stands out most about this Checkpoint label is that it has “leave behind protection” and it is this feature that makes it so dangerous to ORC gangs.

Boosters come to the store to steal multiple items at a time and may be willing to risk a theft and setting off an alarm pedestal of a Checkpoint security system if they think something may have a tag. They are only concerned about whether they can remove the tag after they make their escape. While difficult to remove from a package, some thieves are willing to expend theenergy to take off traditional EAS tags in order to resell the goods. Removing labels and markings makes it difficult for store managers to say what merchandise came from their store when a warehouse or illegitimate sales operation is raided for suspected ORC activity. In this way, a business dealing in stolen goods may be selling the merchandise knowing it was stolen and there is nothing to prove where it came from. Even if a Checkpoint 2928 S micro SWAT Tag is removed from a product it leaves behind an indelible marking that can prove where the merchandise came from. Talk about spy gadgetry!

What kind of marking can identify where a product came from? The SWAT tag has a symbol in the middle of the tag that comes in a standard block lock figure, a custom QR code or a custom design you select, such as your store logo, store number or company name. When the bad guys take the tag off to clean the product what they won’t realize is that they are leaving behind the indelible marking. The symbol remains behind and is evidence that the merchandise came from somewhere else. Using your store logo as the symbol or a QR code can specify to investigators that the items were from your location. These Checkpoint labels are definitely an effective way to stop shoplifting and identify ORC activity, and potentially get your merchandise back from these criminal groups.

Let Checkpoint security systems help you improve your in-stocks, reduce shortage and ultimately improve profits. Deter organized criminal activity in your store and your neighborhood with the Checkpoint 2928 S micro SWAT tag.

Checkpoint labels are important and we can help you with them. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

Boosters come to the store to steal multiple items at a time and may be willing to risk a theft and setting off an alarm pedestal of a Checkpoint security system if they think something may have a tag. They are only concerned about whether they can remove the tag after they make their escape. While difficult to remove from a package, some thieves are willing to expend the energy to take off traditional EAS tags in order to resell the goods. Removing labels and markings makes it difficult for store managers to say what merchandise came from their store when a warehouse or illegitimate sales operation is raided for suspected ORC activity. In this way, a business dealing in stolen goods may be selling the merchandise knowing it was stolen and there is nothing to prove where it came from. Even if a Checkpoint 2928 S micro SWAT Tag is removed from a product it leaves behind an indelible marking that can prove where the merchandise came from. Talk about spy gadgetry!

Checkpoint labels are important and we can help you with them. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Checkpoint labels, checkpoint security system, checkpoint systems, stop shoplifting

Clearing Up Misperceptions about Retail Theft Prevention Professionals

May 18, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

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Clearing Up Misperceptions about Retail Theft Prevention Professionals

Sometimes there is a misperception of Loss Prevention Associates as being insensitive or eager to put people in jail. I have heard us referred to as “wanna-be-cops”. In this article I want to address some of those misperceptions. Many retail theft prevention professionals have law enforcement backgrounds. I personally had 4 years of experience as a United States Air Force Law Enforcement Specialist. During my career in Loss Prevention I worked with two retired State Troopers, at least two prior military police that I am aware of and I hired two men and a woman with law enforcement experience while I was a Loss Prevention Manager. So, the suggestion that we are or were “wanna-be’s” can be put to rest, I would call many of us, “been there-done that’s”. Working to stop shoplifting and using retail theft prevention tools like a Checkpoint Security System is a different experience for us. While we can use some of our skill sets in the job, like interviewing suspects or safely apprehending thieves, we also get to train employees on shortage prevention and making a business profitable.

Law Enforcement and Retail Loss Prevention have their own sets of tools to get their respective jobs accomplished. Law Enforcement has dispatchers, jailers, patrol cars, weapons, investigation divisions, traffic divisions, etc. In Loss Prevention we work with digital camera systems, store exception reports, sales reports, and Checkpoint Systems and all of those components that make them up. Checkpoint tags, alarm pedestals and deactivation pads are used to deter theft from taking place and identifying theft when someone does attempt to steal merchandise. We make sure tags are properly placed on items so the bad guys see them and choose NOT to try to bother with the items in the first place. Proper placement also ensures they will be difficult to defeat or tamper with, again deterring theft from happening. We test the Checkpoint equipment to be sure that tags are properly deactivating and alarm pedestals are receiving tag signals as designed. Hardware issues are reported to Checkpoint Systems so a remote check can be made or a technician can be dispatched depending on the problem. IF we are doing our jobs well, we are deterring theft first and when necessary we catch crooks and stop shoplifting second.

I mentioned there is a train of thought that we are “insensitive” and we are just out to put people in jail who are stealing because they “needed” something or “couldn’t help it”. No, we are not insensitive. In the course of my career I had to call many mothers and fathers to pick up their youngster for shoplifting. I could have turned them over to the police to be handled in the juvenile courts but I also was aware of the problems a juvenile record could cause for a youth. Try placing the call to the single mother who is at work, trying to make ends meet and you have to ask her to leave work and come to the store to pick up her child who was supposed to be home right after school. I can’t recall the number of times I had a parent I caught shoplifting while they had their child with them. I would try to get them to call for someone to pick up the child before the police came so the child wouldn’t have to see the parent handcuffed or the child taken into protective care by the police. Insensitive were the parents who wouldn’t make that call or allow me to do it for them. It is quite an experience to respond to Checkpoint systems alarms and a mom has a baby stroller loaded with an infant and hidden merchandise with Checkpoint tags on them, all tucked under a blanket inside.

I also don’t recall many shoplifters I caught who needed the jewelry they had stolen and placed in a pocket. I recall the mother and son tearing Checkpoint tags from clothing and filling shopping bags so they could resell the merchandise. I don’t think they really needed them. I can’t forget the intoxicated golfer who stole underwear and when I got him to the office he had $300.00 cash in his pocket. No, the idea that most shoplifters steal because they “need” the stuff is false.

Hopefully this article has helped shed some light on the true professionalism of Loss Prevention associates. Our goal is retail theft prevention and helping stores to be profitable through the use of Checkpoint systems, deterrence, the apprehension of shoplifters and ongoing store employee training.

Retail Theft Prevention is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint security system, checkpoint systems, Checkpoint tags, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

A Checkpoint Security System Can Have Visual Appeal And Still Stop Shoplifting

March 15, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

I am all about using things for multiple purposes. If someone can advertise their business on their vehicle with magnetic signs, decals, window screens, I say do it. Why buy an outfit for one event?If I invest in a suit for a special occasion you had better believe I’m going to find other reasons or places to wear it. The same can be true for retailers. You may have considered investing in a Checkpoint Security System but you don’t want those antennas at the front of your store. You like the idea of electronic article surveillance (EAS) Checkpoint tags on your merchandise, but you think they will cover up barcodes on cosmetic items. Instead of making the purchase, you keep things as they are and do nothing to stop shoplifting. Stock shortage grows but some of these aesthetic issues bother you. I would like to assure you that a Checkpoint Security System does not have to detract from your business and in fact if you invest in the Evolve P30 EAS antenna, you can enhance your store.

I know it may sound odd to those who remember the days when EAS antennas were big, clunky and to be honest, just kind of bulky and taking up room. This is no longer the case. The Evolve P30 antenna has a slim design that is not unattractive to shoppers. To make it a better value the antenna can also be used as an advertising panel, allowing you to increase visual advertising as a customer enters and exits the store. It has enhanced detection capabilities giving it an improved ability to pick up signals from Checkpoint tags, making it more difficult for criminals to hide tagged merchandise and sneak it out of a store. What about the tags themselves? Checkpoint tags have gotten smaller over the years and yet they still provide maximum product protection. For small items like cosmetics there are the 3210 EP Clear Label. These are small and yet have windows that can be placed over barcodes that permit scanning without interrupting the speed of checkout. Because the tags are small they don’t cover up the information or packaging graphics that help to drive the sales of a product.

If you have refused to this point to invest in a Checkpoint Security System due to the concerns I mentioned about aesthetics, I would challenge you to also look at the modern design of the hard tags. The tags are sleek and can be attached to suits, sports coats, designer dresses and accessories. The tags have the same ability to stop shoplifting as other tags, but these don’t detract from the clothes designs. Checkpoint tags also will not harm or damage the items they are placed on. Placed in a seam of an expensive garment, the tags provide protection to stop shoplifting but still look like they belong on this merchandise.

Finally, you may be concerned that a Checkpoint Security System deactivation pad at the Checkout lanes may detract from the appearance of your cash stands. Checkpoint has deactivation pads that may be incorporated into scan beds and there are also pads that are stand alone on the counter. The pads that are tied into a point of sale scan bed are out of sight and have no visual footprint. Stand-alone pads have small profiles, requiring little space and have no impact on the appearance of the cashier point of sale. In either case, Checkpoint Systems offer protection without negatively impacting a store’s appearance.

Retail theft prevention has to be a priority for a retailer otherwise shortage from theft can put a store out of business. Concern over the appearance of equipment used to stop shoplifting does not need to be a consideration. Find out all the benefits a Checkpoint Security System has to offer, including adding profit to your bottom line.

Get more information on a Checkpoint Security System. Contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint security system, checkpoint systems, Checkpoint tags, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

Checkpoint Security System; The High Cost Of Spending Nothing

February 14, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

It never ceases to amaze me when I walk through my local mall and I see a store with absolutely nothing for Retail theft prevention. There isn’t a locking peg hook, apparel soft tag, no Checkpoint security system or anything that could even remotely Stop Shoplifting. Now I’m not talking about the anchor stores and big boxes selling $6 t shirts I’m seeing this in the mid and smaller retailers, the boutique style stores with $135 pairs of jeans and $300 purses that are laying naked on the shelf.

I’ve had occasion to ask store managers and owners if they had no protection because they didn’t see much theft. You probably won’t be surprised to hear that I have never had one say this. What I do hear is that investing in Retail theft prevention like the Checkpoint security system is too expensive to be worth it. Too expensive? Really? I wasn’t a math major in college but I’m pretty sure at $135 per pair of jeans it doesn’t take more than a few booster hits to really wreck your profits and drive shrink through the roof.

I point this out and I’m usually countered by people saying that those systems don’t stop shoplifting 100% anyway so why bother? This answer always amazes me. I’ve been doing security work for over a decade and I can tell you that barbed wire and machine guns aren’t enough to Stop shoplifting 100% and neither is locks, chains and glass cases but you don’t see jewelry stores laying merchandise on nice neat shelves instead of inside locked cabinets.

Devices like the Checkpoint security system provide a strong visual signal that you want to protect your merchandise. Both professional thieves and the fence sitting general public will have to choose to challenge that system if they want to steal from you and in many cases they will avoid that risk. Successful Retail theft prevention is all about maximizing the value of the dollars spent on security by increase profits and reducing shrink.

The investment you make to Stop shoplifting may not always look like it is making you money, especially when you look at the line item expense on your P&L but come year end the systems more than pay for themselves. I’ve seen $3000 booster hits prevented by something as simple as a door alarm and an attentive associate. That was one attempt, by one booster. Doesn’t take many of those types of preventions for that investment in retail theft prevention to pay for itself.

There is more value that your investment into a Checkpoint security system that you can’t see. The people who never try to steal because they know your protected are an invisible, but gigantic part of the puzzle. We can’t say for sure how large this number is but if the industry average for loss to theft is 11%, and that is with a Retail theft prevention system in place to Stop shoplifting, it isn’t a large stretch to imagine what that loss looks like to an unprotected store.

Last, but certainly not least is that equipping your store with a Checkpoint security system may be an expense but it is paid one time. Theft can occur every day, of every week, of every month, of every year. The system you install can last you for years and once it has paid for itself in shrink reductions that investment starts making you money, week after week, season after season. If you’re not protecting your inventory you are losing money on your inventory and it’s only a matter of time before your results show the High cost of doing nothing.

Need information on Checkpoint Systems Electronic Article Surveillance? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint security system, checkpoint systems, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

Checkpoint Systems Has All Of Your Retail Theft Prevention Needs Covered

January 10, 2017 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Retail Theft Prevention: 4

Stop Shoplifting: 4

Checkpoint Systems: 4

Checkpoint Systems Has All Of Your Retail Theft Prevention Needs Covered

As we all know, you can’t completely prevent shoplifting, but we can hopefully reduce it. Shoplifting has been occurring since the 16th Century and only continues to grow more prevalent throughout time. There are plenty of reasons why people shoplift; some enjoy the thrill of the act, others are professionals that steal for profit, and some steal out of convenience or a sense of entitlement. Many shoplifters don’t see it as a serious crime, or fear the consequences if they get caught, which only adds to the problem. Some even justify their actions based on the high cost/profit margin associated with the types of items they steal. Some people blame the economy because they work for a living, but still can’t afford the things they want or need. The higher rates of shoplifting are not limited to a small type or class of people. On the contrary we see people of various ages, sex, race, and even socioeconomic status committing these crimes. So if we can’t stop shoplifting, all we can do is reduce our risk and mitigate our loss, through the use of retail theft prevention devices and systems. Checkpoint Systems can supply your company with all the products you need to reduce theft and increase profits.

If you are in Law Enforcement or Loss Prevention, you have probably seen some crazy and funny things throughout your career. In my 15 years in Law Enforcement, I have seen every variation of shoplifter, at some point, and have had some very interesting encounters. We know we can’t stop shoplifting because there are too many means and methods used to steal merchandise. That is why retail theft prevention is so important. We have loss prevention employees so we can try and prevent the blatant attempts to steal items on the retail floor. This helps to identify the old lady who intentionally removes and ingests one multi-vitamin a day because she refuses to pay full price for something her doctor says is important to her health and wellbeing. But we all know that loss prevention associates can’t be everywhere at once and can’t stop shoplifting singlehandedly. That is why we add security tags or labels to our merchandise so that we can be notified when Mr. Shoplifter decides to add a sweater to his wardrobe before trying to leave the store. Don’t be surprised to learn that he actually added the sweater over his existing clothing, so the hard tag was visible to anyone who paid him any attention. One of my favorite calls involved a teenage girl suspected of taking an inexpensive necklace. A plain clothes employee detained the girl after he believed she had concealed the item somewhere on her person. When I arrived, the employee informed me that the female refused to talk to him, and had not turned over the merchandise. It was soon discovered that she had concealed the necklace in her mouth; therefore talking was not an ideal option for her. Not sure how she saw that one playing out? Retail theft prevention is an inevitable way of life for any retailer who wants to protect their property and their pocket book, which is why Checkpoint Systems are essential to support your loss prevention program.

Although we can’t stop shoplifting entirely, there are plenty of ways you can reduce your risk. As a member of the loss prevention and law enforcement community I have seen it all, but retail theft prevention is not impossible. Checkpoint Systems can provide you and your employer with all the loss prevention products you need to fight off shoplifters. While we joke about some of our personal shoplifting experiences, we also know that shoplifting is a growing problem in our industry, that can’t be ignored.

Need information on Checkpoint Systems? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.

As we all know, you can’t completely prevent shoplifting, but we can hopefully reduce it. Shoplifting has been occurring since the 16th Century and only continues to grow more prevalent throughout time. here are plenty of reasons why people shoplift; some enjoy the thrill of the act, others are professionals that steal for profit, and some steal out of convenience or a sense of entitlement. Many shoplifters don’t see it as a serious crime, or fear the consequences if they get caught, which only adds to the problem. Some even justify their actions based on the high cost/profit margin associated with the types of items they steal. Some people blame the economy because they work for a living, but still can’t afford the things they want or need. The higher rates of shoplifting are not limited to a small type or class of people. On the contrary we see people of various ages, sex, race, and even socioeconomic status committing these crimes. So if we can’t stop shoplifting, all we can do is reduce our risk and mitigate our loss, through the use of retail theft prevention devices and systems. Checkpoint Systems can supply your company with all the products you need to reduce theft and increase profits.

Need information on Checkpoint Systems? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint systems, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting