Clamp Down On Organized Retail Crime With EAS Tags

September 2, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Clothing Security-3                                                                                                                         WC Blog 566
Checkpoint Tags-4


Clamp Down On Organized Retail Crime With Checkpoint Tags

     The idea of purchasing a clothing security system may seem to be an expensive prospect for smaller retailers. Before writing it off owners and managers should consider the impact Organized Retail Crime groups can have on a clothing store. Organized Retail Crime (ORC) is not the impulse shoplifter, this is a group of people who plan and target specific merchandise and retailers. The groups seek merchandise that is hard to track, easy to steal and easy to re-sell at a significant profit. They will pay people cents on the dollar to go into stores with “shopping lists” to steal specific merchandise. While the amateur shoplifter does financial harm to a store, it is usually in smaller doses and often it is done on an impulse, like a teenager stealing on a dare from friends. I am not marginalizing this group of thieves but compared to what ORC groups are doing is a drop in the bucket. Let me give you a two examples of Organized theft activity:
• Patch.com March 9, 2018, by Neal McNamara, “Downtown Seattle Thieves Stole Liquor, Clothes – And Tide Pods” the reporter writes, “Police recovered over $160,000 worth of goods and cash…They also found clothing, perfume, and those notorious Tide Pods.”
• Mypanhandle.com Jan 12, 2018, “WCSO: Retail Theft Ring Busted in Walton County”. “Investigators found more than $6,000 in stolen merchandise inside of the car from several different stores including Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Justice, Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger.” 
These are examples of Organized Retail Crime thefts and as you can see the dollar values of such cases go into the thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. In light of these numbers it is imperative that all retailers have a clothing security plan in place that incorporates the use of Checkpoint tags to protect clothing and softlines goods.

     What are Checkpoint tags and how do they protect clothes from being pilfered? You have probably encountered them in your own shopping sprees. These are usually the hard plastic tags that you find attached to garments in addition to the manufacturer hang tags on sleeves or waistbands of a shirt or slacks. The security tags are two-piece designs, a main tag with a pin and a clip piece to keep it in place. Checkpoint tags are designed to create an almost seamless connection that prevents them from being pried apart. It is not uncommon for a shoplifter to see a tag and put an item down. Rather than risk trying to pull apart a tag which would take too much time and probably result in an alarm activation, thieves just move on to other merchandise or other stores. Speaking of alarm activations I should mention that these tags, both the hard and soft label versions are built with electronic article surveillance (EAS) technology imbedded in them. This means that if a criminal decides to try to just conceal an item and walk out of the store with it they will set off EAS pedestals near the front doors. Trained employees will quickly respond and check receipts and get unpaid merchandise back.

     Returning to the initial question of whether a small business owner can afford to purchase a clothing security system to prevent ORC there are two considerations, cost of a system and space. Loss Prevention Systems Inc. (LPSI) founder Bill Bregar knows that this is not an easy decision since many small clothing retailers are operating on a shoestring budget. There also may not be a lot of room in a store and selling space is at a premium. Taking away space for EAS pedestals may not seem to be a viable option. To answer the concern over price LPSI has provided the means for owners and managers to see how a system can pay for itself through shortage reduction in a matter of months. This is done through a ROI calculator on their web page. Everyone is free to use it with no obligation. 

     The issue of lost salesfloor space with the setup of EAS pedestals is not a concern either. By installing a Checkpoint Classic N10 pedestal or an overhead EAS System minimal to zero floor space is lost to anti-theft equipment.  ORC groups won’t be able to fill bags or roll shopping carts out the doors without being detected by a Checkpoint Security system.

     All shoplifting is criminal and a drain on finances but ORC groups are particularly harmful. Don’t allow amateurs or professionals to walk out with your profits. Apply Checkpoint Tags to all of your goods and install a Checkpoint EAS pedestal or overhead system today!

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

The idea of purchasing a clothing security system may seem to be an expensive prospect for smaller retailers. Before writing it off owners and managers should consider the impact Organized Retail Crime groups can have on a clothing store. Organized Retail Crime (ORC) is not the impulse shoplifter, this is a group of people who plan and target specific merchandise and retailers. The groups seek merchandise that is hard to track, easy to steal and easy to re-sell at a significant profit. They will pay people cents on the dollar to go into stores with “shopping lists” to steal specific merchandise. While the amateur shoplifter does financial harm to a store, it is usually in smaller doses and often it is done on an impulse, like a teenager stealing on a dare from friends. I am not marginalizing this group of thieves but compared to what ORC groups are doing is a drop in the bucket. Let me give you a two examples of Organized theft activity:

• Patch.com March 9, 2018, by Neal McNamara, “Downtown Seattle Thieves Stole Liquor, Clothes – And Tide Pods” the reporter writes, “Police recovered over $160,000 worth of goods and cash…They also found clothing, perfume, and those notorious Tide Pods.”

• Mypanhandle.com Jan 12, 2018, “WCSO: Retail Theft Ring Busted in Walton County”. “Investigators found more than $6,000 in stolen merchandise inside of the car from several different stores including Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Justice, Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger.” 

These are examples of Organized Retail Crime thefts and as you can see the dollar values of such cases go into the thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. In light of these numbers it is imperative that all retailers have a clothing security plan in place that incorporates the use of electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags to protect clothing and softlines goods.

 

 What are EAS tags and how do they protect clothes from being pilfered? You have probably encountered them in your own shopping sprees. These are usually the hard plastic tags that you find attached to garments in addition to the manufacturer hang tags on sleeves or waistbands of a shirt or slacks. The security tags are two-piece designs, a main tag with a pin and a clip piece to keep it in place. EAS tags are designed to create an almost seamless connection that prevents them from being pried apart. It is not uncommon for a shoplifter to see a tag and put an item down. Rather than risk trying to pull apart a tag which would take too much time and probably result in an alarm activation, thieves just move on to other merchandise or other stores. Speaking of alarm activations I should mention that these tags, both the hard and soft label versions are built with electronic article surveillance technology imbedded in them. This means that if a criminal decides to try to just conceal an item and walk out of the store with it they will set off EAS pedestals near the front doors. Trained employees will quickly respond and check receipts and get unpaid merchandise back.

     

Returning to the initial question of whether a small business owner can afford to purchase a clothing security system to prevent ORC there are two considerations, cost of a system and space. Loss Prevention Systems Inc. (LPSI) founder Bill Bregar knows that this is not an easy decision since many small clothing retailers are operating on a shoestring budget. There also may not be a lot of room in a store and selling space is at a premium. Taking away space for EAS pedestals may not seem to be a viable option. To answer the concern over price LPSI has provided the means for owners and managers to see how a system can pay for itself through shortage reduction in a matter of months. This is done through a ROI calculator on their web page. Everyone is free to use it with no obligation. 
     

The issue of lost salesfloor space with the setup of EAS pedestals is not a concern either. ORC groups won’t be able to fill bags or roll shopping carts out the doors without being detected by a EAS security system.
     

All shoplifting is criminal and a drain on finances but ORC groups are particularly harmful. Don’t allow amateurs or professionals to walk out with your profits. Apply EAS Tags to all of your goods and install a EAS pedestal or overhead system today!

 

Need information on EAS tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now. 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Use Checkpoint Tags To Improve Instocks

July 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Checkpoint Tags- 5                                                                                                      WC Blog 454
Stop Shoplifting-3


A Decline In Sales May Be More Than A Decline In Customers; Stores May Need To Use Checkpoint Tags To Improve Instocks

     My youngest son is currently a business major in his senior year of college. The other day we were discussing a paper he had recently turned in on the topic of “Needs Assessment”. I asked about what the term meant in the context of the class. He told me the basis of a Needs Assessment as they had talked about it was, in a sense, determining what the real root causes of a problem are and solutions to fix it. I am probably simplifying it a bit but an example he gave was of a make believe company that needed some accountants. Since that was not the focus of the business the company went out and hired recent college graduates who had graduated at the top of their classes but in areas of study other than accounting. The idea of hiring non-accountants was that these students were smart and would be able to learn the accounting job that needed done. In this scenario the business begins to experience financial problems but management begins to look at surface issues such as not enough time was spent training these new accountants. They didn’t dig into the underlying issues and assess what the needs of the business truly were. The problem as analyzed by my son was that it was the hiring of the non-accountants to fill a specific role, one which required a specialized skill set. The workers were bright, but not equipped for this particular job. I would argue that many times we in retail can be like this. We have a slide in our sales and rather than do a true needs assessment, we make assumptions and try to make our pre-conceived notions fit the problem. What if a slip in sales isn’t due to a lack of customers? What if sliding sales are due to a failure to stop shoplifting? More customers may not be the real issue the need for more Checkpoint Tags may be part of the real problem.

     What are Checkpoint Tags you may be asking? They are tools designed to prevent thieves from emptying store shelves of merchandise. The tags utilize electronic article surveillance technology that combines a radio wave signal emitted from a tag to be picked up by a receiving tower usually located near the entry/exit doors of a store. If a piece of merchandise with a tag attached to it is carried within the reception range of the tower, alarms are set off alerting associates that an item is being carried out that has not been paid for yet. Even concealed merchandise can be detected when Checkpoint tags are in place. Today the tags have become so popular among major retailers that most shoplifters are familiar with them and steer away from trying to shoplift items with a tag attached. 

     How then can a tag that will stop shoplifting be the answer to a store that is experiencing a slip in sales? Here are a few things for your consideration:
• If shoplifters are removing merchandise from shelves and fixtures those items are no longer available for purchase. That directly impacts sales.
• Stolen merchandise is not accounted for through a point of sale. For many stores this means a system of checking counts and making adjustments is necessary for replenishment to occur. Does your store have some system in place to ensure replenishment takes place?
• Many large retailers use acronyms to help cashiers remember things to look for that impact shortage. One is B.O.B. or Bottom of Buggy. If cashier miss all of the items in a cart it can certainly lead to shortage. Checkpoint Tags on merchandise will cause an alarm from towers, resulting in a receipt check and recovery of merchandise or the purchase of the item(s).
Stores that use retail theft prevention devices stop shoplifting from taking place and impact operational shortage as well. When the tags are used, merchandise stays in the store where it is available for the paying customers. As one who has shopped in stores with bare shelves I get very frustrated at not finding what I want and have left empty handed on more than one occasion.

     If your store is experiencing a decline in sales take the time to conduct a true Needs Assessment. Consider all of the factors that may be impacting your business. Look at everything from new businesses in the area to changes in your policies or even empty shelves that may indicate a need to start using Checkpoint Tags. Dig into what needs done to drive sales.
Get more information on Checkpoint Tags contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

My youngest son is currently a business major in his senior year of college. The other day we were discussing a paper he had recently turned in on the topic of “Needs Assessment”. I asked about what the term meant in the context of the class. He told me the basis of a Needs Assessment as they had talked about it was, in a sense, determining what the real root causes of a problem are and solutions to fix it. I am probably simplifying it a bit but an example he gave was of a make believe company that needed some accountants. Since that was not the focus of the business the company went out and hired recent college graduates who had graduated at the top of their classes but in areas of study other than accounting. The idea of hiring non-accountants was that these students were smart and would be able to learn the accounting job that needed done. In this scenario the business begins to experience financial problems but management begins to look at surface issues such as not enough time was spent training these new accountants. They didn’t dig into the underlying issues and assess what the needs of the business truly were. The problem as analyzed by my son was that it was the hiring of the non-accountants to fill a specific role, one which required a specialized skill set. The workers were bright, but not equipped for this particular job. I would argue that many times we in retail can be like this. We have a slide in our sales and rather than do a true needs assessment, we make assumptions and try to make our pre-conceived notions fit the problem. What if a slip in sales isn’t due to a lack of customers? What if sliding sales are due to a failure to stop shoplifting? More customers may not be the real issue the need for more hard tags may be part of the real problem.
     

What are hard tags you may be asking? They are tools designed to prevent thieves from emptying store shelves of merchandise. The tags utilize electronic article surveillance technology that combines a radio wave signal emitted from a tag to be picked up by a receiving tower usually located near the entry/exit doors of a store. If a piece of merchandise with a tag attached to it is carried within the reception range of the tower, alarms are set off alerting associates that an item is being carried out that has not been paid for yet. Even concealed merchandise can be detected when hard tags are in place. Today the tags have become so popular among major retailers that most shoplifters are familiar with them and steer away from trying to shoplift items with a tag attached. 
     

How then can a tag that will stop shoplifting be the answer to a store that is experiencing a slip in sales? Here are a few things for your consideration:

     • If shoplifters are removing merchandise from shelves and fixtures those items are no longer available for purchase. That directly impacts sales.

     • Stolen merchandise is not accounted for through a point of sale. For many stores this means a system of checking counts and making adjustments is necessary for replenishment to occur. Does your store have some system in place to ensure replenishment takes place?

     • Many large retailers use acronyms to help cashiers remember things to look for that impact shortage. One is B.O.B. or Bottom of Buggy. If cashier miss all of the items in a cart it can certainly lead to shortage. hard tags on merchandise will cause an alarm from towers, resulting in a receipt check and recovery of merchandise or the purchase of the item(s).

Stores that use retail theft prevention devices stop shoplifting from taking place and impact operational shortage as well. When the tags are used, merchandise stays in the store where it is available for the paying customers. As one who has shopped in stores with bare shelves I get very frustrated at not finding what I want and have left empty handed on more than one occasion.
     

If your store is experiencing a decline in sales take the time to conduct a true Needs Assessment. Consider all of the factors that may be impacting your business. Look at everything from new businesses in the area to changes in your policies or even empty shelves that may indicate a need to start using hard tags. Dig into what needs done to drive sales.

 

Get more information on hard tags contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: , ,

Super Advice On Why Clothing Security Is Important

July 5, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Clothing Security – 4                                                                                                                         WC Blog 541
Checkpoint Tags-5

Super Advice On Why Clothing Security Is Important

     Clothing security is a shortage focus point for the retail chain my daughter works for. As a department manager over a softlines area she is expected to be monitoring her department to ensure all of the merchandise is properly tagged with Checkpoint tags. During a recent visit from the store’s District Loss Prevention Manager they were given recognition for having merchandise protected. One thing they were doing incorrectly was placing the tags in the wrong location on slacks. The tags were being placed too high on the waistband rather than lower in the leg seam. When my daughter was discussing this issue with me and she seemed a bit confused about why this slight variance would make a difference. I was able to put on my Loss Prevention Manager Super-Dad cape and clear it up for her. Before I go into the details of my conversation though it would be best to make sure all of the readers know what I am talking about when I discuss Checkpoint Tags and clothing security.

     Clothing is a top theft item for shoplifters. Some steal for personal use and others will steal for resale for drugs, at a flea market to an organized theft ring or other outlets. Loss Prevention Systems Inc. understands the threat to a retailer posed by criminals and recommends business owners stop thieves by using clothing security tags. These tags are anti-theft devices that are pinned on a piece of clothing and prevent theft from shoplifters and deter employees from stealing too. Forced removal of clothing tags is not an issue as Checkpoint tags can take a lot of abuse from thieves trying to force them off and the tags still hang on. If a store uses the Checkpoint brand of security tags they also receive the benefit of superior electronic article surveillance (EAS) alarm protection.  EAS towers are placed where merchandise should not be taken such as restrooms and at store entry and exit points. If a tagged garment nears the towers the shrill, screeching alarm from the tower activates and store employees respond and recover the merchandise. And yes, even if the merchandise is hidden in a purse or under a coat the tag can be “read” by the tower and will still alert.

     Getting back to the story about my conversation with my daughter, I explained why the District Manager was concerned with the placement of the tags. If Checkpoint tags are placed too high on a pair of pants or let’s say too close to the cuff of a shirt sleeve it is possible for a shoplifter to remove a tag. There would be a small amount of damage to the garment as a small cut in the material might have to be made to slide the tag off but if the merchandise is valuable enough that may not be a concern. On the other hand, if the security tag is placed further down the pant leg or higher up the sleeve of the blouse cutting the garment is not an option. The merchandise would have to be damaged to the point that the item is rendered unserviceable. Additionally, criminals don’t want to have to put that much effort into stealing something. It is easier for them to locate another item that is not tagged and steal it. Hint to store owners and managers: Tag EVERYTHING, your store becomes a waste of time for the bad guys and they just leave you alone altogether. My daughter said that my explanation made sense to her and she was going to be sure to have those issues fixed for her next visit. I was happy and put my Loss Prevention Manager Super-Dad cape away until it is needed again in the future.

       You may not have a Loss Prevention Manager Super-Dad to help you stop shoplifting or explain how clothing security is enhanced with Checkpoint tags but you do have a resource that is just as invaluable. Bill Bregar and the staff of Loss Prevention Systems Inc. are your resources for all you need to know about protecting your store against thieves. Reach out to them, they specialize in how to improve profitability through reduced shortage and can help your store thrive. There may not be a super cape involved but there is a super team and they love helping stores with the best solutions to theft prevention.
Get more information of clothing security, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

Clothing security is a shortage focus point for the retail chain my daughter works for. As a department manager over a softlines area she is expected to be monitoring her department to ensure all of the merchandise is properly tagged with Checkpoint tags. During a recent visit from the store’s District Loss Prevention Manager they were given recognition for having merchandise protected. One thing they were doing incorrectly was placing the tags in the wrong location on slacks. The tags were being placed too high on the waistband rather than lower in the leg seam. When my daughter was discussing this issue with me and she seemed a bit confused about why this slight variance would make a difference. I was able to put on my Loss Prevention Manager Super-Dad cape and clear it up for her. Before I go into the details of my conversation though it would be best to make sure all of the readers know what I am talking about when I discuss Checkpoint Tags and clothing security.
     

Clothing is a top theft item for shoplifters. Some steal for personal use and others will steal for resale for drugs, at a flea market to an organized theft ring or other outlets. Loss Prevention Systems Inc. understands the threat to a retailer posed by criminals and recommends business owners stop thieves by using clothing security tags. These tags are anti-theft devices that are pinned on a piece of clothing and prevent theft from shoplifters and deter employees from stealing too. Forced removal of clothing tags is not an issue as Checkpoint tags can take a lot of abuse from thieves trying to force them off and the tags still hang on. If a store uses the Checkpoint brand of security tags they also receive the benefit of superior electronic article surveillance (EAS) alarm protection. EAS towers are placed where merchandise should not be taken such as restrooms and at store entry and exit points. If a tagged garment nears the towers the shrill, screeching alarm from the tower activates and store employees respond and recover the merchandise. And yes, even if the merchandise is hidden in a purse or under a coat the tag can be “read” by the tower and will still alert.
     

Getting back to the story about my conversation with my daughter, I explained why the District Manager was concerned with the placement of the tags. If Checkpoint tags are placed too high on a pair of pants or let’s say too close to the cuff of a shirt sleeve it is possible for a shoplifter to remove a tag. There would be a small amount of damage to the garment as a small cut in the material might have to be made to slide the tag off but if the merchandise is valuable enough that may not be a concern. On the other hand, if the security tag is placed further down the pant leg or higher up the sleeve of the blouse cutting the garment is not an option. The merchandise would have to be damaged to the point that the item is rendered unserviceable. Additionally, criminals don’t want to have to put that much effort into stealing something. It is easier for them to locate another item that is not tagged and steal it. Hint to store owners and managers: Tag EVERYTHING, your store becomes a waste of time for the bad guys and they just leave you alone altogether. My daughter said that my explanation made sense to her and she was going to be sure to have those issues fixed for her next visit. I was happy and put my Loss Prevention Manager Super-Dad cape away until it is needed again in the future.
       

You may not have a Loss Prevention Manager Super-Dad to help you stop shoplifting or explain how clothing security is enhanced with Checkpoint tags but you do have a resource that is just as invaluable. Bill Bregar and the staff of Loss Prevention Systems Inc. are your resources for all you need to know about protecting your store against thieves. Reach out to them, they specialize in how to improve profitability through reduced shortage and can help your store thrive. There may not be a super cape involved but there is a super team and they love helping stores with the best solutions to theft prevention.

 

Get more information of clothing security, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Using Imposter Tags For Clothing Security Can Prove Costly

June 5, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Clothing Security-5                                                                                                                 WC Blog 529
Checkpoint Tags-5

Using Imposter Tags For Clothing Security Can Prove Costly

     Protecting clothing against theft is too important for stores to resort to the use of imposter clothing security tags. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. In some instances I would agree. I would use parody music as one example where this is the case. I like to listen to music by Weird Al Yankovic and a parody band called Apologetix. Both musical groups take original music by major music talents and change the words to create parodies. They sound a LOT like the originals and in the case of Weird Al, he has even created music videos that spoofed the song and the video that went with it, for example the song and video “Eat It”. Sometimes the parody even has a message that the group wants their audience to hear but uses humor to do so. Merchandise protection can be similar in that there are companies that make security tags that look like or seem to act like Checkpoint tags but the devices are inferior to those of Checkpoint. Going cheaper can cost more in the long- run and that is why the CEO of Loss Prevention Systems Inc. Bill Bregar wants retail owners to use proven electronic article surveillance technology. Checkpoint tags provide consistency in the prevention of shoplifting and employee theft.

     Checkpoint tags for clothing security come in a hard tag design that is built to prevent a criminal from pulling it off an item. The tags have two components, a piece with a pin and the pin cap. When attached to a garment they are clipped so closely together that there is almost no space created. This seamless connection makes prying the pieces apart impossible without tearing or ripping material. Since torn merchandise is not what a shoplifter wants they tend to stay away from products with clothing security tags attached to them. Checkpoint tags also stop shoplifters through the electronic article surveillance (EAS) protection built into the devices. The tags have a radio frequency signal transmitting from them. When merchandise with tags on them get into the range of EAS pedestals or an overhead Checkpoint system an alarm is activated. This alarm elicits an immediate response from nearby employees who are able to resolve issues and get unpaid goods and products back.

     If what I call imitation tags can deter theft why not purchase them instead of the Checkpoint brand? Let me ask you this question, if an imposter is always as good as an original why would you ever buy a name brand product? I can go into my favorite grocery store and I can get a great deal on a store brand of soft drink. I may only pay 78 cents for a 2-liter bottle of store brand cola. I have the option of paying $1.99 for a 2-liter bottle of a nationally known brand. Why would I ever pay $1.21 more for that national brand? I would do so because the national brand is a much better quality. I KNOW the national brand will have a consistent quality and taste. Sometimes the store brand varies a bit in flavor and is not always the same in taste each time. I can’t trust the quality. The same can be said for your merchandise protection. Some other tags can be tampered with much more easily that the Checkpoint brand. The Checkpoint brand can also be depended on to alarm properly when it is near a tower or pedestal. Use another company’s clothing security tags and you may soon see your shrinkage increase as shoplifters find the vulnerability in your strategy.

     I have used Checkpoint tags as a Loss prevention Manager and I know that they work. I trusted them and made sure they were a key component of my merchandise protection plans. The results spoke for themselves and only twice during my career did I see shortage climb slightly over 1%. I have also walked into stores and observed other devices being used and found myself scratching my head. What in the world was the store management thinking? Their tags looked like poor imitations of the tags I used. Spoofs are light-hearted imitations that bring fun and enjoyment as they parody a serious craft. In entertainment that is fine but it is another thing when it is your profits that are on the line. Don’t take clothing security lightly use products that are proven to be effective and stop shoplifting and theft in your stores.
 Need information on Checkpoint tags? Contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

     

Protecting clothing against theft is too important for stores to resort to the use of imposter clothing security tags. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. In some instances I would agree. I would use parody music as one example where this is the case. I like to listen to music by Weird Al Yankovic and a parody band called Apologetix. Both musical groups take original music by major music talents and change the words to create parodies. They sound a LOT like the originals and in the case of Weird Al, he has even created music videos that spoofed the song and the video that went with it, for example the song and video “Eat It”. Sometimes the parody even has a message that the group wants their audience to hear but uses humor to do so. Merchandise protection can be similar in that there are companies that make security tags that look like or seem to act like Checkpoint tags but the devices are inferior to those of Checkpoint. Going cheaper can cost more in the long- run and that is why the CEO of Loss Prevention Systems Inc. Bill Bregar wants retail owners to use proven electronic article surveillance technology. Checkpoint tags provide consistency in the prevention of shoplifting and employee theft.
     

Checkpoint tags for clothing security come in a hard tag design that is built to prevent a criminal from pulling it off an item. The tags have two components, a piece with a pin and the pin cap. When attached to a garment they are clipped so closely together that there is almost no space created. This seamless connection makes prying the pieces apart impossible without tearing or ripping material. Since torn merchandise is not what a shoplifter wants they tend to stay away from products with clothing security tags attached to them. Checkpoint tags also stop shoplifters through the electronic article surveillance (EAS) protection built into the devices. The tags have a radio frequency signal transmitting from them. When merchandise with tags on them get into the range of EAS pedestals or an overhead Checkpoint system an alarm is activated. This alarm elicits an immediate response from nearby employees who are able to resolve issues and get unpaid goods and products back.
     

If what I call imitation tags can deter theft why not purchase them instead of the Checkpoint brand? Let me ask you this question, if an imposter is always as good as an original why would you ever buy a name brand product? I can go into my favorite grocery store and I can get a great deal on a store brand of soft drink. I may only pay 78 cents for a 2-liter bottle of store brand cola. I have the option of paying $1.99 for a 2-liter bottle of a nationally known brand. Why would I ever pay $1.21 more for that national brand? I would do so because the national brand is a much better quality. I KNOW the national brand will have a consistent quality and taste. Sometimes the store brand varies a bit in flavor and is not always the same in taste each time. I can’t trust the quality. The same can be said for your merchandise protection. Some other tags can be tampered with much more easily that the Checkpoint brand. The Checkpoint brand can also be depended on to alarm properly when it is near a tower or pedestal. Use another company’s clothing security tags and you may soon see your shrinkage increase as shoplifters find the vulnerability in your strategy.
     

I have used Checkpoint tags as a Loss prevention Manager and I know that they work. I trusted them and made sure they were a key component of my merchandise protection plans. The results spoke for themselves and only twice during my career did I see shortage climb slightly over 1%. I have also walked into stores and observed other devices being used and found myself scratching my head. What in the world was the store management thinking? Their tags looked like poor imitations of the tags I used. Spoofs are light-hearted imitations that bring fun and enjoyment as they parody a serious craft. In entertainment that is fine but it is another thing when it is your profits that are on the line. Don’t take clothing security lightly use products that are proven to be effective and stop shoplifting and theft in your stores. 

 

Need information on Checkpoint tags? Contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
     

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

5 REASONS WHY I DON’T STEAL FROM STORES THAT PUT SECURITY TAGS ON CLOTHES

May 1, 2018 by Leave a Comment
5 REASONS WHY I DON’T STEAL FROM STORES THAT PUT SECURITY TAGS ON CLOTHES


Look, as a career criminal there are certain things that just bother me about retailers. For starters, I think I’ve made it very clear that I don’t want to work and I’d appreciate it if your stores would not make it so difficult for me to get things. I clearly don’t have money, so every time you use a Checkpoint Tag, you’re literally taking the clothes right off of my back. So, in order to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, these are the reasons why I avoid stores that take loss prevention seriously. 

1. I Can’t Carry all the Extra Equipment
Seriously man, I only have enough room for the stuff I want to steal in my bag. If I’m in a store that’s putting Security Tags on Clothes, I have to bring pliers, or magnets and all sorts of aluminum foil to *try and bypass the tags. All that extra junk makes me stick out and really takes up space in my booster bag. 

2. I Like to be in and out
Nothing frustrates me more than spending tons of time trying to steal one single item. I prefer stores that are “LP dumb”. I can stuff my bag and pants with no worries about an alarm going off at the door. The quicker I can get out of there, the better. Checkpoint Tags really slow me down. It would really help me out if you guys didn’t use them. 

3. I Hate When I’m Noticed
Nothing grinds my gears more than an employee seeing me messing with one of the Security Tags on Clothes. They always call a manager and they always ask me to leave. That’s terrible shoplifter service if you ask me. I hate trying to remove the tags myself since it brings so much unwanted attention to me. I love stores that don’t apply any EAS. I just grab what I want and steal away!

4. I Can’t Grab and Run
I am great and grab and runs! My favorite pastime is walking into a store, grabbing an entire rack of this season’s hottest outfit and running right out the front door. This way, I can sell the sizes I don’t need to all my shoplifter friends and dozens of places online. How else do you think I eat? I did a grab and run this one time at a store that used Checkpoint Tags, well the ones with ink in them and it ruined everything. All my shoplifting buddies made fun of me and they called me “Stealing Smurf” for the better part of 5 years. I’ve learned my lesson. Only steal clothes that are completely unprotected. 

5. Jail
First of all, I’m too pretty for jail. Second, I’ve yet to find any honor amongst my criminal friends. Third, I would have to call my mom to come bail me out, again. It’s bad enough I still live in the basement. But seriously, every time I see a store that puts Security Tags on Clothes, I jus turn around. There’s a good chance I’ll get caught and arrested and I’m just not about that life. So, please, I beg of you, stop securing your stuff. There are people who depend on you not doing it to survive. 


Clothing Security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk. 

Look, as a career criminal there are certain things that just bother me about retailers. For starters, I think I’ve made it very clear that I don’t want to work and I’d appreciate it if your stores would not make it so difficult for me to get things. I clearly don’t have money, so every time you use a Checkpoint Tag, you’re literally taking the clothes right off of my back. So, in order to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, these are the reasons why I avoid stores that take loss prevention seriously. 

 

1. I Can’t Carry all the Extra EquipmentSeriously man, I only have enough room for the stuff I want to steal in my bag. If I’m in a store that’s putting Security Tags on Clothes, I have to bring pliers, or magnets and all sorts of aluminum foil to *try and bypass the tags. All that extra junk makes me stick out and really takes up space in my booster bag. 

 

2. I Like to be in and outNothing frustrates me more than spending tons of time trying to steal one single item. I prefer stores that are “LP dumb”. I can stuff my bag and pants with no worries about an alarm going off at the door. The quicker I can get out of there, the better. Checkpoint Tags really slow me down. It would really help me out if you guys didn’t use them. 

 

 3. I Hate When I’m NoticedNothing grinds my gears more than an employee seeing me messing with one of the Security Tags on Clothes. They always call a manager and they always ask me to leave. That’s terrible shoplifter service if you ask me. I hate trying to remove the tags myself since it brings so much unwanted attention to me. I love stores that don’t apply any EAS. I just grab what I want and steal away!

 

4. I Can’t Grab and RunI am great and grab and runs! My favorite pastime is walking into a store, grabbing an entire rack of this season’s hottest outfit and running right out the front door. This way, I can sell the sizes I don’t need to all my shoplifter friends and dozens of places online. How else do you think I eat? I did a grab and run this one time at a store that used Checkpoint Tags, well the ones with ink in them and it ruined everything. All my shoplifting buddies made fun of me and they called me “Stealing Smurf” for the better part of 5 years. I’ve learned my lesson. Only steal clothes that are completely unprotected. 

 

5. JailFirst of all, I’m too pretty for jail. Second, I’ve yet to find any honor amongst my criminal friends. Third, I would have to call my mom to come bail me out, again. It’s bad enough I still live in the basement. But seriously, every time I see a store that puts Security Tags on Clothes, I jus turn around. There’s a good chance I’ll get caught and arrested and I’m just not about that life. So, please, I beg of you, stop securing your stuff. There are people who depend on you not doing it to survive. 

Clothing Security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk. 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Survey Says…Use Clothing Security Tags

April 12, 2018 by Leave a Comment

 

Clothing security-5                                                                                                           WC Blog 491
Checkpoint Tags-5
Survey Says…Use Clothing Security Tags
     Clothing security should be a major concern for retailers this year if the information from the National Retail Federation is correct. According to the 2017 National Retail Security Survey, “In apparel, both the rates of shoplifting (41.0%) and employee theft (35.5%) were higher than the overall average.” Additionally the report states that “in apparel 15 of 26 respondents (to the survey, this author’s note) said shrink had grown. Only eight of 26 reported a slight decrease.” (pg.8). The study goes on to say that, “The apparel sector was slightly below the overall average at 1.36%, but showed a slight increase over 2016’s 1.2% for that sector.” Retailers cannot afford to see a rise in shortage over the prior year no matter how slight that increase may be. Checkpoint tags and other retail ant-theft devices have got to be high on a manager’s priority list.
     Are you wondering what Checkpoint tags are and how they relate to clothing security and shortage prevention? Checkpoint tags are hard tags built out of extremely durable hard plastic materials with electronic article surveillance (EAS) technology integrated into them. The tags consist of two parts, one has a metal pin at one end and the other is a clip that snaps onto it once the pin is pushed through a garment. Once pinned together it is nearly impossible to remove a hard tag without the proper detachment tool available only to stores. Forcing a Checkpoint tag off of an item causes damage to the merchandise that renders it unserviceable. The EAS part of the tag works with Checkpoint pedestals and if tagged products get too close to a pedestal an alarm activation occurs. The pedestals have flashing lights and 95-decibel audible alarms that is heard throughout a store. If an alarm sounds employees respond and conduct package and receipt checks that usually result in uncovering unpaid merchandise. The patron is afforded an opportunity to buy the item(s) or return it. I didn’t mention the deterrence value of the tags since most experienced shoplifters know what the tags look like and how they work. This type of shoplifter actively seeks to avoid products that are protected because they don’t want to risk being caught if they can help it.
     Since stores are seeing an increase in clothing theft it makes no sense to me that clothing security spending would actually be on a decline but according to the same report; (page 9) the authors state that, “In apparel only four of 22 respondents have a higher budget in 2017 compared with the previous year. Nine of 22 expect flat budgets while two expect significant decreases.” It was not clear if Loss Prevention spending included only Loss Prevention staff or all of Loss Prevention expenditures which may or may not include clothing security tags and other anti-theft measures. What is clear to me is that with an increase in theft additional expenditures on more Checkpoint tags would be the best use of money. It should go without saying that keeping budgets flat or even spending less will only result in another increase in shortage in 2018.
     You may be asking if you could tag only high dollar clothes because you are concerned about the cost of constantly purchasing new tags. That does not need to be a concern. Clothing security tags like the ones I am referring to are reusable. They are made durable enough to withstand hundreds of uses and reuses. This means you can tag everything without worrying about how you will have to ration out your tags or restrict their use to only high dollar products. In order to get shortage under control and begin to reduce it stores should tag everything. Thieves will begin to migrate to stores that are not using electronic article surveillance technology to protect products.
     The picture the 2017 National Retail Security Survey is somewhat bleak for clothing retailers based on the numbers being reported. This doesn’t have to be your story in 2018. You can reduce your clothing shortage and increase profits by using Checkpoint tags on all of your garments. 
For more information about clothing security contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 
     
     

Clothing security should be a major concern for retailers this year if the information from the National Retail Federation is correct. According to the 2017 National Retail Security Survey, “In apparel, both the rates of shoplifting (41.0%) and employee theft (35.5%) were higher than the overall average.” Additionally the report states that “in apparel 15 of 26 respondents (to the survey, this author’s note) said shrink had grown. Only eight of 26 reported a slight decrease.” (pg.8). The study goes on to say that, “The apparel sector was slightly below the overall average at 1.36%, but showed a slight increase over 2016’s 1.2% for that sector.” Retailers cannot afford to see a rise in shortage over the prior year no matter how slight that increase may be. Checkpoint tags and other retail ant-theft devices have got to be high on a manager’s priority list.

Are you wondering what Checkpoint tags are and how they relate to clothing security and shortage prevention? Checkpoint tags are hard tags built out of extremely durable hard plastic materials with electronic article surveillance (EAS) technology integrated into them. The tags consist of two parts, one has a metal pin at one end and the other is a clip that snaps onto it once the pin is pushed through a garment. Once pinned together it is nearly impossible to remove a hard tag without the proper detachment tool available only to stores. Forcing a Checkpoint tag off of an item causes damage to the merchandise that renders it unserviceable. The EAS part of the tag works with Checkpoint pedestals and if tagged products get too close to a pedestal an alarm activation occurs. The pedestals have flashing lights and 95-decibel audible alarms that is heard throughout a store. If an alarm sounds employees respond and conduct package and receipt checks that usually result in uncovering unpaid merchandise. The patron is afforded an opportunity to buy the item(s) or return it. I didn’t mention the deterrence value of the tags since most experienced shoplifters know what the tags look like and how they work. This type of shoplifter actively seeks to avoid products that are protected because they don’t want to risk being caught if they can help it.

Since stores are seeing an increase in clothing theft it makes no sense to me that clothing security spending would actually be on a decline but according to the same report; (page 9) the authors state that, “In apparel only four of 22 respondents have a higher budget in 2017 compared with the previous year. Nine of 22 expect flat budgets while two expect significant decreases.” It was not clear if Loss Prevention spending included only Loss Prevention staff or all of Loss Prevention expenditures which may or may not include clothing security tags and other anti-theft measures. What is clear to me is that with an increase in theft additional expenditures on more Checkpoint tags would be the best use of money. It should go without saying that keeping budgets flat or even spending less will only result in another increase in shortage in 2018.

You may be asking if you could tag only high dollar clothes because you are concerned about the cost of constantly purchasing new tags. That does not need to be a concern. Clothing security tags like the ones I am referring to are reusable. They are made durable enough to withstand hundreds of uses and reuses. This means you can tag everything without worrying about how you will have to ration out your tags or restrict their use to only high dollar products. In order to get shortage under control and begin to reduce it stores should tag everything. Thieves will begin to migrate to stores that are not using electronic article surveillance technology to protect products.

The picture the 2017 National Retail Security Survey is somewhat bleak for clothing retailers based on the numbers being reported. This doesn’t have to be your story in 2018. You can reduce your clothing shortage and increase profits by using Checkpoint tags on all of your garments. 

 

For more information about clothing security contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 
     

     

 

 

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With:

Proper Clothing Security Can Defeat ORC Groups Part 2

April 4, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Clothing Security-3                                                                                                                           WC Blog 487
Checkpoint Tags-3


Proper Clothing Security Can Defeat ORC Groups Part 2

      In Part 1 of this article on clothing security I was dealing with issues I read in an online story about a $20 million theft ring that was broken up by authorities. The story by Chris Morran, posted on 9/7/17, “Feds Break Up $20M Shoplifting Ring That Stole Clothing From Coast To Coast” https://consumerist.com/2017/09/07/feds-break-up-20m-shoplifting-ring-that-stole-clothing-from-coast-to-coast/  discussed the methods used by the group to get away with such an extensive crime spree. In part 1 I started to discuss the methods the group employed and as a former Loss Prevention Manager, my tips on how retailers can combat these predators. While my suggestions can be used by any retailer, they are really geared to the small and medium sized stores which in all likelihood do not have the ability to hire as many associates as national chains stores. One thing that is a must in combating these criminals and ALL stores can afford is to use Checkpoint tags and electronic article surveillance towers.

     I am sure I got the attention of some who are reading this and have no idea what Checkpoint tags are or what an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tower is. The tags are clothing security devices that deter and prevent shoplifting. The devices are two-piece designs of tested, hard plastic materiel that pin and clip together onto a piece of clothing. The tags require a special removal tool in order to get them off of a garment and most stores keep these tools secured at their cash registers. Without the use of the tool products are torn and damaged when a shoplifter attempts to forcibly remove them. Of course, once damaged the merchandise is useless. The tag itself is not the only protection provided when applied to garments. Checkpoint tags also operate using EAS technology and they emit a signal on a specific radio frequency. When tagged goods are carried in the detection field of EAS towers the towers activate a blaring alarm and flashing lights. Employees immediately respond to the alarm and conduct receipt checks and the offender can either relinquish the item or purchase it. In many situations a tower alarm scares a shoplifter and they will simply drop the merchandise they were trying to steal and run.

     In Part 1 I talked about the use of “blockers” as a tactic this group employed and how they could be thwarted with a small staff. Other points the author made mentioned that the group would send someone into a store in advance to move merchandise to a location that would make theft easier. This person would set up the products and another person(s) would go in a commit the crime. Store managers; train your employees to look for merchandise that seems “out of place” and perhaps in an area of the store that is off the main track. It is possible it is being set up for a theft. All employees should be made aware of what was found and then the merchandise should be put back in the proper location. Later, you may have an employee walk up on a person who is clearly looking around that area trying to find the items you put back. Customer service them to death, get a good description and pass that information to the entire store team. If you have a camera system, retrieve a picture from it and keep it in an off-stage area or breakroom so employees can see it and be aware.

     Another tactic that this Organized Theft Ring employed was the use of “booster bags”. These are foil- lined bags intended to defeat EAS systems by disrupting the radio signal sent out by the clothing security tags. They aren’t fool-proof and should not scare you. Booster bags are often a brown bag with a handle or some type of large gift bag.  Criminals like these because they can fold them up and pull them out once in a store. Teach employees to watch for shoppers carrying gift bags through the store or bags from stores other than yours. Someone who brings an item in to try to match it to your merchandise will be happy to show you what they have. The other thing you can do is purchase a Checkpoint tower that has software designed to detect foils when a bag is brought into the store. A quick aside, Organized Theft Rings (ORC’s) are professional shoplifters with an established hierarchy. These groups send workers out with specific “shopping” lists to steal, paying a small percentage of the value of the goods to the worker. The leaders turn around and resell the merchandise, undercutting legitimate businesses.

     ORC groups don’t have to be a threat to your store. Using Checkpoint tags and towers and training employees on how to identify and prevent theft can keep your business profitable. You have the ability to defeat these criminals.
Need information on Checkpoint tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.

      



     

In Part 1 of this article on clothing security I was dealing with issues I read in an online story about a $20 million theft ring that was broken up by authorities. The story by Chris Morran, posted on 9/7/17, “Feds Break Up $20M Shoplifting Ring That Stole Clothing From Coast To Coast” https://consumerist.com/2017/09/07/feds-break-up-20m-shoplifting-ring-that-stole-clothing-from-coast-to-coast/  discussed the methods used by the group to get away with such an extensive crime spree. In part 1 I started to discuss the methods the group employed and as a former Loss Prevention Manager, my tips on how retailers can combat these predators. While my suggestions can be used by any retailer, they are really geared to the small and medium sized stores which in all likelihood do not have the ability to hire as many associates as national chains stores. One thing that is a must in combating these criminals and ALL stores can afford is to use Checkpoint tags and electronic article surveillance towers.
     

I am sure I got the attention of some who are reading this and have no idea what Checkpoint tags are or what an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tower is. The tags are clothing security devices that deter and prevent shoplifting. The devices are two-piece designs of tested, hard plastic materiel that pin and clip together onto a piece of clothing. The tags require a special removal tool in order to get them off of a garment and most stores keep these tools secured at their cash registers. Without the use of the tool products are torn and damaged when a shoplifter attempts to forcibly remove them. Of course, once damaged the merchandise is useless. The tag itself is not the only protection provided when applied to garments. Checkpoint tags also operate using EAS technology and they emit a signal on a specific radio frequency. When tagged goods are carried in the detection field of EAS towers the towers activate a blaring alarm and flashing lights. Employees immediately respond to the alarm and conduct receipt checks and the offender can either relinquish the item or purchase it. In many situations a tower alarm scares a shoplifter and they will simply drop the merchandise they were trying to steal and run.
     

In Part 1 I talked about the use of “blockers” as a tactic this group employed and how they could be thwarted with a small staff. Other points the author made mentioned that the group would send someone into a store in advance to move merchandise to a location that would make theft easier. This person would set up the products and another person(s) would go in a commit the crime. Store managers; train your employees to look for merchandise that seems “out of place” and perhaps in an area of the store that is off the main track. It is possible it is being set up for a theft. All employees should be made aware of what was found and then the merchandise should be put back in the proper location. Later, you may have an employee walk up on a person who is clearly looking around that area trying to find the items you put back. Customer service them to death, get a good description and pass that information to the entire store team. If you have a camera system, retrieve a picture from it and keep it in an off-stage area or breakroom so employees can see it and be aware.
     

Another tactic that this Organized Theft Ring employed was the use of “booster bags”. These are foil- lined bags intended to defeat EAS systems by disrupting the radio signal sent out by the clothing security tags. They aren’t fool-proof and should not scare you. Booster bags are often a brown bag with a handle or some type of large gift bag. Criminals like these because they can fold them up and pull them out once in a store. Teach employees to watch for shoppers carrying gift bags through the store or bags from stores other than yours. Someone who brings an item in to try to match it to your merchandise will be happy to show you what they have. The other thing you can do is purchase a Checkpoint tower that has software designed to detect foils when a bag is brought into the store. A quick aside, Organized Theft Rings (ORC’s) are professional shoplifters with an established hierarchy. These groups send workers out with specific “shopping” lists to steal, paying a small percentage of the value of the goods to the worker. The leaders turn around and resell the merchandise, undercutting legitimate businesses.
     

ORC groups don’t have to be a threat to your store. Using Checkpoint tags and towers and training employees on how to identify and prevent theft can keep your business profitable. You have the ability to defeat these criminals.

 

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

     

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Coincidental Encounters That May Not Have Taken Place If Clothing Security Tags Were Used

March 9, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Checkpoint Tags –4                                                                                                                              wc blog 448
Clothing Security Tags-3
Coincidental Encounters That May Not Have Taken Place If Clothing Security Tags Were Used
     When you work in Retail Loss Prevention as long as I have, you collect a few funny stories to tell from your experiences. One of the funnier moments I had was as a Loss Prevention Officer for a department store chain. I was actually off-duty and was with my wife shopping at one of our neighboring stores a few miles down the road from my assigned location. We were in the mall but popped into this branch where my good friend and fellow Loss prevention Officer was working. As my wife and I were browsing in clothing I saw this young couple looking around suspiciously and looking at clothing tags rather than the merchandise. The woman was standing behind a clothing fixture and I saw a tell-tale jerk of the young woman’s shoulder which indicated to me she was pulling off hang tags. At the time our company was using few clothing security tags to protect merchandise though we did have some high priced coats and dresses with Checkpoint Tags on them. This couple was not in that area. When I saw the arm movements and the shady looks I called my friend who was in the camera room and he began observation.
     I need to briefly interrupt my story so I can bring some of our readers up to speed on what Checkpoint Tags are since not everyone may be familiar with them. Checkpoint Tags are hard plastic devices that are pinned to clothing. They serve to deter theft and prevent shoplifting when applied to merchandise and in this case clothing specifically. The clothing security tags are designed to be attached in a visible location so criminals know that if they try to steal the item(s) an alarm in an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tower is going to be activated. The tags also stop shoplifters because the security tags do activate alarms in an EAS tower and that gets a response from store personnel who then conduct receipt checks. Whether concealed in a bag or hidden under clothing an EAS tag will still set off a tower alarm when someone tries to smuggle stolen goods past it. Employees responding to an alarm can conduct receipt checks and root out the cause for the alarm without causing a scene when they do it properly.
     So getting back to my adventure, my friend began watching the couple on closed circuit television. The woman took a number of pieces of clothing into the fitting room while her partner waited outside on the salesfloor. My partner could not confirm how many pieces were taken in so we worked together to get the couple to dump any merchandise they were going to try to steal. I walked over to the fixture where the woman had been standing and started picking up manufacturer tags from the floor. The guy watched me and when his friend came out I sent an associate in to look for empty hangers. The couple looked nervous and when the employee brought out empty hangers she handed them to me. The woman scurried back in the fitting room and quickly came back out. The salesfloor employee went back in and came out with an armful of merchandise that had not been there previously.
     I spoke with my friend for a few minutes and my wife and I left the store and moved to another department store further down the mall. To my surprise there was the same couple and they were doing the same thing. I approached an employee of that store and started to tell him about the couple and the guy saw me and we made eye contact. He said something to the woman and they left the store. Another deterred theft! The story doesn’t end there however. After shopping for a while my wife and I were finally done in the mall and started on our way home but had a grocery store stop to make. Guess who we bumped into? Yup, that same couple. The male made eye contact with me, his mouth dropped open and he whispered to the woman and they left. It made my day.
     Since then the company I worked for has increased the use of clothing security tags on merchandise. In my career I have used Checkpoint Tags on numerous items and can testify to their effectiveness in preventing theft. While we were fortunate to stop those cases of shoplifting it makes me wonder whether I even would be able to tell that story today had we used tags more aggressively back then. Probably not but the world may never know.
Get more information on Checkpoint Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.

When you work in Retail Loss Prevention as long as I have, you collect a few funny stories to tell from your experiences. One of the funnier moments I had was as a Loss Prevention Officer for a department store chain. I was actually off-duty and was with my wife shopping at one of our neighboring stores a few miles down the road from my assigned location. We were in the mall but popped into this branch where my good friend and fellow Loss prevention Officer was working. As my wife and I were browsing in clothing I saw this young couple looking around suspiciously and looking at clothing tags rather than the merchandise. The woman was standing behind a clothing fixture and I saw a tell-tale jerk of the young woman’s shoulder which indicated to me she was pulling off hang tags. At the time our company was using few clothing security tags to protect merchandise though we did have some high priced coats and dresses with Checkpoint Tags on them. This couple was not in that area. When I saw the arm movements and the shady looks I called my friend who was in the camera room and he began observation.
   

 I need to briefly interrupt my story so I can bring some of our readers up to speed on what Checkpoint Tags are since not everyone may be familiar with them. Checkpoint Tags are hard plastic devices that are pinned to clothing. They serve to deter theft and prevent shoplifting when applied to merchandise and in this case clothing specifically. The clothing security tags are designed to be attached in a visible location so criminals know that if they try to steal the item(s) an alarm in an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tower is going to be activated. The tags also stop shoplifters because the security tags do activate alarms in an EAS tower and that gets a response from store personnel who then conduct receipt checks. Whether concealed in a bag or hidden under clothing an EAS tag will still set off a tower alarm when someone tries to smuggle stolen goods past it. Employees responding to an alarm can conduct receipt checks and root out the cause for the alarm without causing a scene when they do it properly.
     

So getting back to my adventure, my friend began watching the couple on closed circuit television. The woman took a number of pieces of clothing into the fitting room while her partner waited outside on the salesfloor. My partner could not confirm how many pieces were taken in so we worked together to get the couple to dump any merchandise they were going to try to steal. I walked over to the fixture where the woman had been standing and started picking up manufacturer tags from the floor. The guy watched me and when his friend came out I sent an associate in to look for empty hangers. The couple looked nervous and when the employee brought out empty hangers she handed them to me. The woman scurried back in the fitting room and quickly came back out. The salesfloor employee went back in and came out with an armful of merchandise that had not been there previously.
     

I spoke with my friend for a few minutes and my wife and I left the store and moved to another department store further down the mall. To my surprise there was the same couple and they were doing the same thing. I approached an employee of that store and started to tell him about the couple and the guy saw me and we made eye contact. He said something to the woman and they left the store. Another deterred theft! The story doesn’t end there however. After shopping for a while my wife and I were finally done in the mall and started on our way home but had a grocery store stop to make. Guess who we bumped into? Yup, that same couple. The male made eye contact with me, his mouth dropped open and he whispered to the woman and they left. It made my day.
     

Since then the company I worked for has increased the use of clothing security tags on merchandise. In my career I have used Checkpoint Tags on numerous items and can testify to their effectiveness in preventing theft. While we were fortunate to stop those cases of shoplifting it makes me wonder whether I even would be able to tell that story today had we used tags more aggressively back then. Probably not but the world may never know.

 

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

 

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With:

Innovative Solutions To Stop Shoplifting In Stores

December 12, 2017 by Leave a Comment

In Retail Loss Prevention we are always trying to find new and innovative methods to stop shoplifting. I have a few personal ideas I have wanted to implement:

  • Armed guards in watch towers at the front entry doors (similar to a prison tower) in order to intimidate potential thieves.
  • Snarling Doberman Pinschers or German Shepherds, trained to smell stolen merchandise chained at the store exits.
  • Tiger pits with a trap door that Loss Prevention Officers can open up when a shoplifter leaves the building, thereby avoiding the inevitable fleeing criminal. And think about it, no more shoplifter speeding out of the parking lot potentially injuring people in order to get away!
  • Drones flying around the store with cameras monitoring all of the customers. When someone starts to conceal merchandise store loudspeakers come on and announce what the suspect is wearing and warning him/her to put the merchandise down.
  • On the extreme end of the spectrum every customer entering the store receives a personal shopper for the duration of the time they are in the store.
  • Require everyone entering the store to pay a $5.00 cover charge. If they purchase something the $5.00 is deducted from the purchase amount.

For some odd reason none of my ideas has been picked up by a retailer. I don’t understand it. Despite this there is a method to stop shoplifting that is a little less extreme than my ideas and that is the use of Checkpoint tags on merchandise.

 

Checkpoint tags are an electronic article surveillance retail anti-theft device that deters and prevents theft. It deters theft in several ways. First, shoplifters who enter the store will recognize the Checkpoint towers at the front doors and may decide against trying to steal from the store. Second, if a crook is still considering stealing after seeing the towers he/she will get a dose of reality if they see that the store tags all of their merchandise not just select items. Tagging everything eliminates the possibility a shoplifter will grab even a cheap item just to get the thrill or the stolen item. Checkpoint tags will stop shoplifting because they are nearly impossible to remove from merchandise without the proper detachment key. It also has radio frequency technology built into it which acts in unison with the tower at the front door. Tagged merchandise carried too close to a tower sets off alarms causing store employees to respond and conduct receipt checks, usually resulting in recovered merchandise. Shoplifters simply don’t want to take a chance on being arrested so they tend to go to those stores where there are few protected items OR no electronic article surveillance at all.

 

     This brings me back to my original point of finding innovative ways to stop shoplifting and theft. They have made different styles of electronic article surveillance towers. Some have been made smaller to take up of less space for smaller retail businesses, some now have the ability to have advertising panels placed in them and others have the ability to detect radio frequency jammers. Tags have also changed from larger hard tags to sleek, disc-shaped tags designed to be less detracting to higher end merchandise such as suits, gowns, and expensive jackets. Alarms at the towers can send alerts to managers and there is software that can assist managers with evaluating alarm response times.

 

     While I am still in favor of cages dropping from the ceiling on someone who has set off an alarm tower at the doors, I recognize that my idea of innovation is not suitable to everyone. In case you fall into that group of people who would call my ideas extreme, I am recommending another innovative solution to stop shoplifting, install an EAS system and use Checkpoint tags on ALL of your merchandise. You will see shortage decline and profits rise.

 

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

 

 

 

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: ,

Shoplifters Can Be A Danger To Your Customers And Employees; Deter Thieves From Coming To Your Store With Checkpoint Tags

November 10, 2017 by Leave a Comment

 

Retail Theft Prevention-4                                                                                              WC Blog 357
Checkpoint tags-4
Shoplifters Can Be A Danger To Your Customers And Employees; Deter Thieves From Coming To Your Store With Checkpoint Tags
     When you think about merchandise protection and the importance of retail theft prevention have you ever considered the other benefits your business gets from using Checkpoint tags? While it isn’t necessarily an intended consequence, stores that employ measures to deter shoplifters also help protect their employees and customers. I have been involved in Retail Loss Prevention and retail in general for over 27 years. I have personally had to apprehend shoplifters who have had marijuana on their person, and were high when busted. I have fought with shoplifters who were high on cocaine, crack and at least one who was high on methamphetamine. I have apprehended shoplifters with brass knuckles and knives concealed in pockets, waistbands and shoes. I had one instance where a shoplifter lifted his shirt when I went to stop him, showing me the handle of a gun in the front of his pants. The implied threat was obvious, stop him and it could be deadly. There are two reasons for using Checkpoint tags, first to deter theft and second to detect it.
     Anti-shoplifting tags have electronic article surveillance (EAS) capability built into them and use radio frequency waves to ensure protected merchandise will be detected by EAS towers. When a thief attempts to walk out with merchandise they are trying to steal, the towers pick up the signal sent out by the tags and an alarm in the tower sounds out a sharp, loud alert. Employees of the store who have been trained on proper alarm response go to the doors and retrieve the product. Often the thief will drop the item or make an excuse that they forgot they had it with them. The first thing the towers and tags do is deter the thieves who are well aware of what towers can do and prefer to avoid stores that use retail theft prevention measures.
     Consider that, shoplifters prefer to avoid stores that are using Checkpoint tags. If there are other locations that are nearby where they can go to get merchandise to steal and reduce the chance they will be detected they will do so. Likewise, they also prefer to go to stores where there is little or no customer service. If no one is going to bother them it is easier to get away with theft. How does this keep your customers and employees safer? Not all but many shoplifters are into theft to support their habits. As I mentioned I have had quite a few that I have apprehended that had drugs on their person or where definitely under the influence of drugs. If they don’t want caught they are going other places so your customers are safer.
     Another danger posed by shoplifters to your employees, customers and even the shoplifter or someone with them is when they attempt to flee the store. I recall one incident in which I was attempting to apprehend a shoplifter (who I later learned had illegal drugs on her) and she had her young daughter with her. This woman not only fought with me and my partner, she also grabbed her little girl by the arm and tried to run into the parking lot with her, cars driving by, the little girl screaming and us attempting to talk her out of running. I’ve had shoplifters run and jump into their car and speed out of the parking lot nearly hitting other cars and pedestrians. More than one shoplifter has sped out of the parking lot backwards to avoid security cameras or me from seeing their license plate number. In each of these situations people are endangered by the careless acts of a criminal trying to avoid prosecution. The stores I worked in used some retail theft prevention devices and Checkpoint tags but there are many more options on the market today. Protecting more merchandise means reduced options for theft and that means shoplifters go elsewhere.
     Shoplifters are a drain on profits and a potential danger to those around them. Keeping thieves out of your stores means your customers feel safer and are more willing to browse and spend time shopping. That all adds up to more money for you. Use retail theft prevention devices on all of your goods and send shoplifters packing.
Need information on Checkpoint tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.

When you think about merchandise protection and the importance of retail theft prevention have you ever considered the other benefits your business gets from using Checkpoint tags? While it isn’t necessarily an intended consequence, stores that employ measures to deter shoplifters also help protect their employees and customers. I have been involved in Retail Loss Prevention and retail in general for over 27 years. I have personally had to apprehend shoplifters who have had marijuana on their person, and were high when busted. I have fought with shoplifters who were high on cocaine, crack and at least one who was high on methamphetamine. I have apprehended shoplifters with brass knuckles and knives concealed in pockets, waistbands and shoes. I had one instance where a shoplifter lifted his shirt when I went to stop him, showing me the handle of a gun in the front of his pants. The implied threat was obvious, stop him and it could be deadly. There are two reasons for using Checkpoint tags, first to deter theft and second to detect it.

Anti-shoplifting tags have electronic article surveillance (EAS) capability built into them and use radio frequency waves to ensure protected merchandise will be detected by EAS towers. When a thief attempts to walk out with merchandise they are trying to steal, the towers pick up the signal sent out by the tags and an alarm in the tower sounds out a sharp, loud alert. Employees of the store who have been trained on proper alarm response go to the doors and retrieve the product. Often the thief will drop the item or make an excuse that they forgot they had it with them. The first thing the towers and tags do is deter the thieves who are well aware of what towers can do and prefer to avoid stores that use retail theft prevention measures.

Consider that, shoplifters prefer to avoid stores that are using Checkpoint tags. If there are other locations that are nearby where they can go to get merchandise to steal and reduce the chance they will be detected they will do so. Likewise, they also prefer to go to stores where there is little or no customer service. If no one is going to bother them it is easier to get away with theft. How does this keep your customers and employees safer? Not all but many shoplifters are into theft to support their habits. As I mentioned I have had quite a few that I have apprehended that had drugs on their person or where definitely under the influence of drugs. If they don’t want caught they are going other places so your customers are safer.

Another danger posed by shoplifters to your employees, customers and even the shoplifter or someone with them is when they attempt to flee the store. I recall one incident in which I was attempting to apprehend a shoplifter (who I later learned had illegal drugs on her) and she had her young daughter with her. This woman not only fought with me and my partner, she also grabbed her little girl by the arm and tried to run into the parking lot with her, cars driving by, the little girl screaming and us attempting to talk her out of running. I’ve had shoplifters run and jump into their car and speed out of the parking lot nearly hitting other cars and pedestrians. More than one shoplifter has sped out of the parking lot backwards to avoid security cameras or me from seeing their license plate number. In each of these situations people are endangered by the careless acts of a criminal trying to avoid prosecution. The stores I worked in used some retail theft prevention devices and Checkpoint tags but there are many more options on the market today. Protecting more merchandise means reduced options for theft and that means shoplifters go elsewhere.

Shoplifters are a drain on profits and a potential danger to those around them. Keeping thieves out of your stores means your customers feel safer and are more willing to browse and spend time shopping. That all adds up to more money for you. Use retail theft prevention devices on all of your goods and send shoplifters packing.

 

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

 

 

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: , ,
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