You can lead a horse to water, you can coax it all you want, heck, you can even push it in the lake but you can NOT force it to drink. This is something I learned as a loss prevention professional over the years. When it came to spending money to save money via retail theft prevention devices there was a constant battle amongst the powers that be. As I gradually moved up the chain I was privy to more and more of the details of the ongoing argument regarding anti shoplifting strategies. What I came to realize was in order for any company executive to spend one penny of the budget they had to prove how an item would preferably generate sales or at the very least reduce shrink. There in lies the problem, one side of the argument felt that if the company solely focused on raising sales the company could ignore shrink, the other side focused its attention solely on retail theft prevention.

One of the best and most controversial anti shoplifting tools is the checkpoint security system. The checkpoint systems employ entrance/exit protection of product with RF pedestals that sound alarms whenever checkpoint security tags which are affixed to product are removed from the store. The Checkpoint security system was quite impressive, utilizing checkpoint security tags that are labels and hard tags. The third party arbitrator for peace was the checkpoint systems vendor. He was able to address both the sales and loss prevention concerns regarding sales and retail theft prevention. It was quite interesting to hear him talk about the fact that the checkpoint systems could actually increase sales by ensuring the product is protected and available on the sales floor for purchase. Many times high dollar items were placed one at a time on the sales floor and if stolen and not reported that product could go days or weeks without being represented on the floor thus reducing sales potential.

Utilizing the checkpoint security tags on all items allowed the sales team to place more items on the sales floor thus ensuring all products were represented at all times. The Checkpoint security tags also served its purpose as an anti shoplifting tool. Once in place the checkpoint system was an incredible asset to the company serving the duel purpose of increasing sales and deterring theft. The system demands interaction via consistent tagging, tag audits, proper deactivation/detachment at register and proper reaction to alarms. Our executives were able to come to a smart conclusion that allowed both departments to work together for proper system installation and implementation. We have never looked back and always look for ways to make the system even more beneficial.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase retail anti theft devices from Checkpoint Systems.

For more information on Anti Shoplifting , Checkpoint Security System or Checkpoint Security Tags contact us at Retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547

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 cameras on my checkpoint security system. 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 all their 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. Busted, my checkpoint security system and I had won.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase retail anti theft devices from Checkpoint Systems.

For more information on Anti Shoplifting , Checkpoint Security System or Checkpoint Security Tags contact us at Retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547

Almost everyone is familiar with practices such as ‘the perp walk’ or ‘a munitions test’.  They are shows of power.  They are opportunity for an authority to flex its muscle in the face of its adversaries.  In loss prevention we don’t have access to ballistic missiles or the ability to march an apprehended shoplifter through the store to identify and embarrass them (in most cases anyway).  For us, the only way to flex our muscles is generally passive in nature, to show we are watching.  Having retail theft prevention systems visibly in play are one way of doing this; cameras (be they dummy or actual) mounted to the walls or ceilings, Checkpoint security tags on the merchandise, even a uniformed agent standing guard at an access point.

I myself have thought of a more aggressive method of demonstrating that we are vigilantly watching in the hopes that those who bear witness may be dissuaded from potentially illicit acts.  I’d like to think of it as an anti shoplifting drill.  The way it works is you have an employee (preferably another loss prevention agent in plainclothes) do a rather conspicuous shoplifting exercise throughout the store, concealing product on their person or in a prop bag.  Then they will make their way to the most populated or traveled access point of the store, preferably passing through a Checkpoint security system, where other loss prevention agents will appear to make the ‘apprehension’ in a very public manner.  The more people that see, the better.  Obviously this is a practice only really works if you have the available manpower and the time to do it, but it would be a show of your team’s anti shoplifting prowess that can work to your advantage.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase retail anti theft devices from Checkpoint Systems.

For more information on Anti Shoplifting , Checkpoint Security System or Checkpoint Security Tags contact us at Retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547

Checkpoint Security Tags are among the most common forms of anti shoplifting devices currently being utilized in today’s retail environment.  They are easy to install, easy to upkeep, and are simple enough that anyone can implement it into their store.  The way it functions is the Checkpoint security tags are applied to product; the tags themselves clip on through the use of a large pin that snaps into place on the flat side of the sensor.  When a sensor passes near a Checkpoint system gate it triggers an alarm, the source of which is a feedback signal created by the sensor’s proximity to the gate.  The noise it creates is both familiar and noticeable.  However it is not fool-proof by any means.

The most important thing to ensure the effectiveness of a Checkpoint security system is that it is executed properly.  It will do no good if your employees are not attaching tags to over 95% of the product you are trying to protect.  In order to ensure those standards are kept I can only suggest that incoming product that fits your company’s protection guidelines are tagged as soon as they get off the shipment truck before they even hit the sales floor.  After that, doing regular checks on tag attachment rates will help you keep tabs on who in your store is not towing the line as the saying goes.

Just remember, even if you have a 100% tag attachment rate it does not guarantee absolute retail theft prevention.  The Checkpoint security system is merely an anti shoplifting tool that best serves as a supplement that gives your loss prevention team valuable time and even a little peace of mind.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase retail anti theft devices from Checkpoint Systems.

For more information on Anti Shoplifting , Checkpoint Security System or Checkpoint Security Tags contact us at Retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547

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 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.

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 retail anti theft devices from Checkpoint Systems.

For more information on Anti Shoplifting, Checkpoint Security System, or Checkpoint Security Tags contact us at Retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547

The loss that a retail store can incur from shoplifting can be detrimental to even the largest retail chains. That is why a successful anti shoplifting program is essential to a thriving store. Through the proper use of retail theft prevention items, such as checkpoint security systems and checkpoint security tags, a retail store can dramatically reduce their loss.

In 2009, a company that I worked for suffered a loss of approximately $3,000 in just video game loss. In that same year I was able to detain my highest net detention from a video game theft. A couple came into our store and multiple other stores throughout the day and had removed video games from their anti shoplifting devices. I was luckily able to catch them during the process of concealing video games they had removed from the shelf while on their last stop for the day. In the end, the couple had almost successfully stolen over $2,000 in video games from multiple stores in a single day. The following year, although we already had checkpoint security systems in place, the company I worked for began using retail theft prevention shelf locks for added security on all our video games. On top of the shelf locks, all video games were alpha cased with checkpoint security tags inside. By the end of the year my total amount of video game detentions had decreased dramatically and our total loss for that department was equal to hundreds, not thousands of dollars. In one year we were able to decrease our loss radically by simply diversifying the anti shoplifting devices that were previously in use.

This is just one example of many checkpoint system devices that I have seen reduce loss for stores that I have worked for. However, truly successful retail theft prevention programs make use of a combination of checkpoint systems in order to increase their anti shoplifting efforts.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase retail anti theft devices from Checkpoint Systems.

For more information on Anti Shoplifting, Checkpoint Security System or Checkpoint Security Tags contact us at Retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547

When you look at common tactics for retail theft prevention, you might only think of a few ways. Customer service has and always will be the number one theft deterrent in retail stores. When it comes to anti shoplifting tools and resources, the list is actually as varied, as there are methods to steal.

 Checkpoint security systems can start with their integrated use of towers, antennas, and checkpoint security tags. Tags and labels are placed on merchandise, some are visible, and some are concealed. When they come within the RF field generated by the towers, an audible alarm sounds. This notifies associates to respond with customer service to deactivate purchased merchandise.

 Checkpoint security systems go beyond just the use of Checkpoint security tags and labels. They have electronic and digital recording devices for camera systems. Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) systems can also provide a deterrent, as anyone who enters a store knows their actions are being filmed and recorded. Note that some states do require signage on the front of your store stating that recording device is in use.

In conjunction with your CCTV, Checkpoint systems also have public view monitors. Public view monitors (PVM) are screens that can be placed in high theft areas that show what the camera in that area is recording. It reinforces the message that a retailer is aware of theft in that area and is doing something about it.

Checkpoint does a nice job of staying on top of current theft trends. They are constantly coming out with new anti shoplifting devices.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase retail anti theft devices from Checkpoint Systems.

For more information on Anti Shoplifting , Checkpoint Security System or Checkpoint Security Tags contact us at Retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547

 

It’s easy to say that you are anti shoplifting. Not many people out there are FOR shoplifting. Putting that mantra to use in your retail establishment may be a very different story. Without a concrete plan for retail theft prevention, losses of merchandise can (and usually will) occur at a staggering rate.

The first step is to choose a reliable company to assist you with your new retail theft prevention plan. Beginning with something like the Checkpoint security system will help on many facets. They will help guide you through any questions you have. They also carry a wide variety of interchangeable tools and resources designed specifically for anti shoplifting purposes.

Once you have your Checkpoint security system in place, you will need to decide which hard tags to use. Checkpoint security tags come in multiple sizes and shapes for multiple applications. Some questions you might want to ask to determine which Checkpoint security tag is right include:

What type of packaging does it have (box, bag, hanger, hang tag,)

What type of product is this (shirt, pants, shoes, bag)?

What type of fabric is it made out of (stretchy, delicate, leather, denim)?

Is there a way to attach a pin or a lanyard (shoe eye, purse strap, button hole)?

Once you answer these questions you can start to narrow the selection of Checkpoint security tags. If you have any questions about the appropriateness of a tag for a specific application, there is always help available.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase retail anti theft devices from Checkpoint Systems.

For more information on Anti Shoplifting, Checkpoint Security System or Checkpoint Security Tags contact us at Retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547

A few years ago when I was a new loss prevention investigator, still during my training period, I came into my office at the beginning of my shift and my boss was already watching two male individuals in the electronics department. He said that they had been walking around the area for quite some time and acting rather suspicious. Almost instantaneously after he pointed out the two males to me they each selected a Nintendo DS and quickly left electronics while looking around.

Although I was not aware of it at the time, I now realize the manner in which they left electronics typically presupposes theft. We had the DS’s in anti shoplifting devices so I was very curious as to how they intended to remove alpha cases. This however, was not their intention. They entered our furniture department and simply placed the DS’s, anti shoplifting cases included, into the front of their pants. Immediately, the two began to head towards the front of the store. Because of the speed in which they concealed the items and made it the checkpoint systems at the front of the store, we were not able to get outside quick enough to detain them. Luckily, as the two exited the store our checkpoint security system alarm went off. One of the males continued out the door, but the second got scared and turned around to run back into the store. We were able to detain the second male and retrieve our merchandise still inside the alpha cases.

Incorporating checkpoint security systems with the proper anti shoplifting devices into our store’s retail theft prevention program gave us the upper hand in this situation.  Without a checkpoint system in place and the merchandise inside checkpoint security tags the alarm would have never gone off. Because of this, any store wanting to strengthen their retail theft prevention efforts would be remiss not to include a checkpoint system with the relevant checkpoint security tags for your merchandise. Who knows, maybe you can just scare future shoplifters into not leaving your store.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase retail anti theft devices from Checkpoint Systems.

For more information on Anti Shoplifting, Checkpoint Security System or Checkpoint Security Tags contact us at Retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547

One of the best ways for any retail store to enhance their retail theft prevention program is to establish a known theft tracking system. A good known theft tracking system is essential to anti shoplifting efforts. The greatest thing about known theft tracking is it shows you the areas that need to be watched. It will also let you know high priced, high theft items that should have checkpoint security tags that may not previously be integrated into your checkpoint security system.

The known theft tracking method I developed for my store’s retail theft prevention program is percentage based. I broke up the store into numerous blocked sections based on the type of product in that given area. Any time employees find known theft packaging they log it for area it originated, area found, and day of the week. On a weekly basis I go through the log and find percentages for each section previously stated. Knowing where your product is being taken from and concealed gives your retail theft prevention team an insurmountable advantage in their anti shoplifting efforts.

Adding to the advantage of knowing where your theft is coming from, tracking known theft allows you to see the individual merchandise being stolen in a straight forward, organized manner. This allows you to take defensive steps in protecting your merchandise by protecting high theft items with checkpoint security tags. Using your known theft to enhance your checkpoint security system will in turn decrease your known theft and increase profits. Checkpoint systems can only truly be successful if the correct merchandise is protected. The only way to protect the right merchandise is to know what the correct merchandise is.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase retail anti theft devices from Checkpoint Systems.

For more information on Anti Shoplifting, Checkpoint Security System or Checkpoint Security Tags contact us at Retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547