From Clothing Security To Human Resources Consistency Is Important

July 2, 2019 by Leave a Comment

 

Sensormatic Tags –3                                                                                                           WC Blog 832
Clothing security -3
From Clothing Security To Human Resources Consistency Is Important
     From the use of Sensormatic tags to prevent theft to how you enforce policies in your store, consistency is an important factor in how successful or unsuccessful your business will be. I thought about consistency as I attended a college baseball game not long ago. The team had started off the season strong and was ranked as high as 11 in one of the NCAA baseball polls early on. Then for some unexplained reason the team just fell into a slump. Pitching became inconsistent, batting was hit or miss (pun intended) and watching the team in their dugout the energy was gone. The night before I attended my game our team had run roughshod over their opponent. The night I attended the tables turned 180 degrees and we got our clock cleaned. You can’t have this kind of on again – off again performance and expect to make a run for the National Baseball Championship. In retail consistency also matters and that can be in how you manage clothing security and tag clothing or how you handle attendance issues with your team members.
     On more than one occasion I have been shopping in a retail store and I have looked at the way merchandise is protected. I may see one television with a wrap on it and another that is left with no anti-theft device right next to it. I have observed purses with different styles of security devices placed in different locations. For the cashiers this is a terrible way to tag products. They spend time trying to search and ensure there are no tags “hidden” somewhere that might set off the alarm and embarrass the customer. It can lead to a waste of productivity at the checkout counter. On the other hand I have shopped in the clothing store where my daughter works and I have been very impressed with the consistency of how they employ Sensormatic tags. All of the dresses were tagged at the collar and ALL of the shoes were tagged the same way based on the style of the shoe. The only thing I did not care for was the use of different brands of tags. I would have preferred to see a consistent use of only Sensormatic products. I know how effective they are in clothing security and theft prevention all around because I have used them in my Loss Prevention career.
         Consistency is also important when it comes to personnel matters. Let’s say you have an employee who is a great worker but they consistently show up late to work sometimes it is only 5 minutes and other times it may be 15 or 20 minutes. Because they are a good worker you may verbally remind them they have to be to work on time but you don’t want to lose them so you give them some leeway. Then you have other employees who you do enforce a tardiness policy on. Those people get a verbal warning, a written warning and then a final warning. If you are enforcing the policy on them but not on your superstar you are creating an unfair workplace and you are fostering resentment within your team. Consistent application of policies is just as critical to a productive workplace as the placement of Sensormatic tags on clothing. Stores invest a lot of time protecting merchandise that same level of energy or more should be placed on team development and morale.
     Consistency in following a return policy is another operational issue that can be disruptive and hurt a store. I understand that managers will from time to time have to use sound judgement and make exceptions in the arena of customer service. However exceptions should be that exceptions and not the rule. If your employees feel that they have followed store procedures and a manager is called to address a customer complaint about a return policy. The first thing that manager must do is listen to the associate then the customer and make it clear that the employee was following proper procedure. If the manager chooses to make an exception he/she must say that this is an exception and will not be done again. It builds the credibility of the employee and shows that management supports them. If a manager is regularly making exceptions to policies that is another problem and the store manager should be addressing that issue. 
     From clothing security to personnel matters consistency in how tasks are accomplished and people are treated absolutely make an impact in how successful a store will be. Just like a baseball team there will be losses from time to time but the best teams perform consistently day after day. Make daily routines and consistent expectations a part of your business and see your business grow.
Sensormatic tags are important and we can help you with them. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.

From the use of Sensormatic tags to prevent theft to how you enforce policies in your store, consistency is an important factor in how successful or unsuccessful your business will be. I thought about consistency as I attended a college baseball game not long ago. The team had started off the season strong and was ranked as high as 11 in one of the NCAA baseball polls early on. Then for some unexplained reason the team just fell into a slump. Pitching became inconsistent, batting was hit or miss (pun intended) and watching the team in their dugout the energy was gone. The night before I attended my game our team had run roughshod over their opponent. The night I attended the tables turned 180 degrees and we got our clock cleaned. You can’t have this kind of on again – off again performance and expect to make a run for the National Baseball Championship. In retail consistency also matters and that can be in how you manage clothing security and tag clothing or how you handle attendance issues with your team members.

On more than one occasion I have been shopping in a retail store and I have looked at the way merchandise is protected. I may see one television with a wrap on it and another that is left with no anti-theft device right next to it. I have observed purses with different styles of security devices placed in different locations. For the cashiers this is a terrible way to tag products. They spend time trying to search and ensure there are no tags “hidden” somewhere that might set off the alarm and embarrass the customer. It can lead to a waste of productivity at the checkout counter. On the other hand I have shopped in the clothing store where my daughter works and I have been very impressed with the consistency of how they employ Sensormatic tags. All of the dresses were tagged at the collar and ALL of the shoes were tagged the same way based on the style of the shoe. The only thing I did not care for was the use of different brands of tags. I would have preferred to see a consistent use of only Sensormatic products. I know how effective they are in clothing security and theft prevention all around because I have used them in my Loss Prevention career.

Consistency is also important when it comes to personnel matters. Let’s say you have an employee who is a great worker but they consistently show up late to work sometimes it is only 5 minutes and other times it may be 15 or 20 minutes. Because they are a good worker you may verbally remind them they have to be to work on time but you don’t want to lose them so you give them some leeway. Then you have other employees who you do enforce a tardiness policy on. Those people get a verbal warning, a written warning and then a final warning. If you are enforcing the policy on them but not on your superstar you are creating an unfair workplace and you are fostering resentment within your team. Consistent application of policies is just as critical to a productive workplace as the placement of Sensormatic tags on clothing. Stores invest a lot of time protecting merchandise that same level of energy or more should be placed on team development and morale.

Consistency in following a return policy is another operational issue that can be disruptive and hurt a store. I understand that managers will from time to time have to use sound judgement and make exceptions in the arena of customer service. However exceptions should be that exceptions and not the rule. If your employees feel that they have followed store procedures and a manager is called to address a customer complaint about a return policy. The first thing that manager must do is listen to the associate then the customer and make it clear that the employee was following proper procedure. If the manager chooses to make an exception he/she must say that this is an exception and will not be done again. It builds the credibility of the employee and shows that management supports them. If a manager is regularly making exceptions to policies that is another problem and the store manager should be addressing that issue. 

From clothing security to personnel matters consistency in how tasks are accomplished and people are treated absolutely make an impact in how successful a store will be. Just like a baseball team there will be losses from time to time but the best teams perform consistently day after day. Make daily routines and consistent expectations a part of your business and see your business grow.

 

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

 

 

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A Conversation About Clothing Security

June 4, 2019 by Leave a Comment

 

Clothing Security –3                                                                                                                     WC Blog 818
Sensormatic tags -3
A Conversation About Clothing Security
     I am sitting here in the college library where I work and I am hearing a conversation behind me about clothing security. The speaker is loud and I cannot help but overhear the discussion, though trust me I would rather not hear most of it. I did hear him talk about working in a fitting room at the store where he is employed and finding that someone had stolen merchandise. I could not catch all of what he was saying but somehow he or the people in the store knew that the same person had been in the store twice stealing. That got me to thinking, how did you know that the same person was in the store twice in one day stealing? Did someone review video and see this? I also want to know how someone was able to steal if the fitting is attended by an associate? I could not hear particulars and just as quickly as it started the conversation switched to another topic and was just as annoying but now I was on to writing my article. This conversation provided the perfect lead in. Just how do you prevent clothing theft and should you be concerned with everything or just certain items?
     Since the yappy student behind me started the whole thing let’s begin with the way to prevent shoplifting. Your first instinct may be to say that using Sensormatic tags and security system is going to be my first recommendation. Your first instinct is going to be wrong. What I am going to tell you is that the first thing you need to do to reduce clothing theft is to get Manager training on how to stop shoplifting and also employee theft. That’s right, shoplifters aren’t the only people carting off clothing. Merchandise theft is an internal problem as much as an external one and in some cases it involves both. Owners and store managers have to know how to identify the signals and indicators that gives thieves away. That can only be possible when someone has undergone proper training. Once that is done you can begin training employees on how to help stop the shortage too. 
     Now you just know that the next step is going to involve placing Sensormatic tags and installing a security system. Again, you are wrong. You want to reduce theft? Start using pre-employment background screening and drug testing. No, you aren’t testing your customers. You test the people you are thinking about hiring. You eliminate the riff-raff and improve the chances that your staff is filled with honest personnel who do not pose security concerns for your business.
     You know what’s coming now don’t you, yup now is when you install that Sensormatic system and begin using clothing security tags on merchandise. You don’t necessarily have to tag everything to begin seeing results. Tag merchandise your inventory results point to as high theft departments and begin to prevent shoplifting there. If your store sells shoes place tags on the most popular brands. I would not encourage you to tag flip flops or low-end designs. Tag what shoplifters are stealing. Fashion accessories such as purses, wallets, scarves and neckties can also be high theft items in the clothing world. Purses are highly vulnerable since they can be tossed over a shoulder and look like it belongs to the carrier. The same holds true for hats, you put it on your head and walk out of the store. Unless employees are paying attention hats are easy to steal. 
     This brings us full circle to where that annoying conversation comes in to play. Attention is a requirement for employees to help prevent shoplifting. If they are not paying attention to what is taking place around them the shoplifters are going to go unnoticed and commit their crimes. You can use clothing security tags on merchandise but if your workers are inattentive or apathetic they are not going to be effective in responding to electronic article surveillance alarms at the doors. They will also be careless in inspecting what people are taking in and out of the fitting rooms.  The same thief will be able to enter the store numerous times during a day and no one will notice. 
     Install a Sensormatic system and use Sensormatic tags on the clothes that are being stolen. Train your managers on how to stop theft. Use pre-employment screening to reduce the chance for theft in your store and finally make sure employees are actively engaging customers. You do this and the conversation I heard in the library will be a non-issue for you. 
For more information on about clothing security contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 

I am sitting here in the college library where I work and I am hearing a conversation behind me about clothing security. The speaker is loud and I cannot help but overhear the discussion, though trust me I would rather not hear most of it. I did hear him talk about working in a fitting room at the store where he is employed and finding that someone had stolen merchandise. I could not catch all of what he was saying but somehow he or the people in the store knew that the same person had been in the store twice stealing. That got me to thinking, how did you know that the same person was in the store twice in one day stealing? Did someone review video and see this? I also want to know how someone was able to steal if the fitting is attended by an associate? I could not hear particulars and just as quickly as it started the conversation switched to another topic and was just as annoying but now I was on to writing my article. This conversation provided the perfect lead in. Just how do you prevent clothing theft and should you be concerned with everything or just certain items?

Since the yappy student behind me started the whole thing let’s begin with the way to prevent shoplifting. Your first instinct may be to say that using Sensormatic tags and security system is going to be my first recommendation. Your first instinct is going to be wrong. What I am going to tell you is that the first thing you need to do to reduce clothing theft is to get Manager training on how to stop shoplifting and also employee theft. That’s right, shoplifters aren’t the only people carting off clothing. Merchandise theft is an internal problem as much as an external one and in some cases it involves both. Owners and store managers have to know how to identify the signals and indicators that gives thieves away. That can only be possible when someone has undergone proper training. Once that is done you can begin training employees on how to help stop the shortage too. 

Now you just know that the next step is going to involve placing Sensormatic tags and installing a security system. Again, you are wrong. You want to reduce theft? Start using pre-employment background screening and drug testing. No, you aren’t testing your customers. You test the people you are thinking about hiring. You eliminate the riff-raff and improve the chances that your staff is filled with honest personnel who do not pose security concerns for your business.

You know what’s coming now don’t you, yup now is when you install that Sensormatic system and begin using clothing security tags on merchandise. You don’t necessarily have to tag everything to begin seeing results. Tag merchandise your inventory results point to as high theft departments and begin to prevent shoplifting there. If your store sells shoes place tags on the most popular brands. I would not encourage you to tag flip flops or low-end designs. Tag what shoplifters are stealing. Fashion accessories such as purses, wallets, scarves and neckties can also be high theft items in the clothing world. Purses are highly vulnerable since they can be tossed over a shoulder and look like it belongs to the carrier. The same holds true for hats, you put it on your head and walk out of the store. Unless employees are paying attention hats are easy to steal. 

This brings us full circle to where that annoying conversation comes in to play. Attention is a requirement for employees to help prevent shoplifting. If they are not paying attention to what is taking place around them the shoplifters are going to go unnoticed and commit their crimes. You can use clothing security tags on merchandise but if your workers are inattentive or apathetic they are not going to be effective in responding to electronic article surveillance alarms at the doors. They will also be careless in inspecting what people are taking in and out of the fitting rooms.  The same thief will be able to enter the store numerous times during a day and no one will notice. 

Install a Sensormatic system and use Sensormatic tags on the clothes that are being stolen. Train your managers on how to stop theft. Use pre-employment screening to reduce the chance for theft in your store and finally make sure employees are actively engaging customers. You do this and the conversation I heard in the library will be a non-issue for you. 

 

For more information on about clothing security, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Clothing Security – A Local Problem Or Something Bigger? Part 3

May 1, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Sensormatic tags -3                                                                                                                    WC Blog 763
clothing security – 5

Clothing Security – A Local Problem Or Something Bigger? Part 3

     In Parts 1 and 2 I discussed the problem clothing security when merchants have to combat opportunistic shoplifters and Organized Retail Crime rings. We discussed the international reach some of these groups can have in their theft activity. We also looked at the difficulty retailers can have in distinguishing between opportunists and professional shoplifters. Does it make a difference to identify one versus the other? In our examples of Organized crime we saw the impact on one national chain and how they are getting hit for thousands of dollars in theft on multiple incidents and in different parts of the nation. I pointed out that the anti-theft tactics of retail stores has to be multi-layered. It starts with the cultivation of a strong customer service focus. Employees must actively seek out and interact with shoppers. With a very few rare exceptions thieves do not want to be seen or assisted. Anonymity gives them the cover they need to steal.

     The use of electronic article surveillance and Sensormatic tags is the next layer of protection. Shoplifters would prefer to steal clothing that has no security device on it. Anti-theft tags pose the risk of alarm activations and they require some means of removal if the clothes they are on are lifted successfully from a store. I did mention in the earlier articles that professional theft rings may use booster bags that are intended to defeat electronic article surveillance devices but Sensormatic tags provide the ultimate protection since they are not affected by these theft tools.

     The next layer of anti-theft protection a store can incorporate is training to prevent shoplifting. You can use clothing security tags to prevent theft but if your store management team and employees have not received training to stop shoplifting then you are not doing all you can to put a stop to crime. You may think you are training your managers to ensure all customers are receiving customer service but I am here to tell you that is not enough. To truly take steps to address shoplifting a store owner has to have a team trained in all aspects of theft prevention. If you can do that you will deter the casual crook and the professional pilferer.  The in-depth training I am alluding to does not come from the novice but a business built around helping retailers improve shortage results and increase profits. 

     Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. (LPSI) specializes in retail theft prevention offering everything from clothing security options to store risk assessments and a wide range of training options. With LPSI’s services, a retail owner can schedule live, in-person training seminars, live webinar training, emailed Loss Prevention tips and online monthly newsletters with articles from experienced Loss Prevention Professionals. Did you know there are proper ways to respond to electronic article surveillance alarm activations? Are you aware that an anti-theft system that is not functioning properly can become a liability to your customer service efforts and they can also impact the effectiveness of a system? There are best practices for the placement of Sensormatic tags on clothing; do you know what those best practices are? Do you and your team know how to identify common characteristics of shoplifters? Do you know the differences between Organized Retail Crime organizations and opportunistic shoplifters? Do you and your team know how to deter each and when it is appropriate to contact police about suspicious activity? LPSI can train your staff on all of these issues and how they can stay safe in the process. 

     Since this series on clothing security has been about Organized Retail Crime and training I want to give a word of caution to store managers and owners. Shoplifting is not a “victimless crime” and in cases involving organized theft rings it can be dangerous. Some of the people involved can be extremely aggressive. If you take the steps I have outlined in these articles you will enhance clothing security (and the security of other merchandise) while keeping your employees safe. Above all else, THAT should be your number one priority.
For more information on clothing security contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

In Parts 1 and 2 I discussed the problem clothing security when merchants have to combat opportunistic shoplifters and Organized Retail Crime rings. We discussed the international reach some of these groups can have in their theft activity. We also looked at the difficulty retailers can have in distinguishing between opportunists and professional shoplifters. Does it make a difference to identify one versus the other? In our examples of Organized crime we saw the impact on one national chain and how they are getting hit for thousands of dollars in theft on multiple incidents and in different parts of the nation. I pointed out that the anti-theft tactics of retail stores has to be multi-layered. It starts with the cultivation of a strong customer service focus. Employees must actively seek out and interact with shoppers. With a very few rare exceptions thieves do not want to be seen or assisted. Anonymity gives them the cover they need to steal.
     

The use of electronic article surveillance and Sensormatic tags is the next layer of protection. Shoplifters would prefer to steal clothing that has no security device on it. Anti-theft tags pose the risk of alarm activations and they require some means of removal if the clothes they are on are lifted successfully from a store. I did mention in the earlier articles that professional theft rings may use booster bags that are intended to defeat electronic article surveillance devices but Sensormatic tags provide the ultimate protection since they are not affected by these theft tools.
     

The next layer of anti-theft protection a store can incorporate is training to prevent shoplifting. You can use clothing security tags to prevent theft but if your store management team and employees have not received training to stop shoplifting then you are not doing all you can to put a stop to crime. You may think you are training your managers to ensure all customers are receiving customer service but I am here to tell you that is not enough. To truly take steps to address shoplifting a store owner has to have a team trained in all aspects of theft prevention. If you can do that you will deter the casual crook and the professional pilferer.  The in-depth training I am alluding to does not come from the novice but a business built around helping retailers improve shortage results and increase profits. 
     

Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. (LPSI) specializes in retail theft prevention offering everything from clothing security options to store risk assessments and a wide range of training options. With LPSI’s services, a retail owner can schedule live, in-person training seminars, live webinar training, emailed Loss Prevention tips and online monthly newsletters with articles from experienced Loss Prevention Professionals. Did you know there are proper ways to respond to electronic article surveillance alarm activations? Are you aware that an anti-theft system that is not functioning properly can become a liability to your customer service efforts and they can also impact the effectiveness of a system? There are best practices for the placement of Sensormatic tags on clothing; do you know what those best practices are? Do you and your team know how to identify common characteristics of shoplifters? Do you know the differences between Organized Retail Crime organizations and opportunistic shoplifters? Do you and your team know how to deter each and when it is appropriate to contact police about suspicious activity? LPSI can train your staff on all of these issues and how they can stay safe in the process. 
     

Since this series on clothing security has been about Organized Retail Crime and training I want to give a word of caution to store managers and owners. Shoplifting is not a “victimless crime” and in cases involving organized theft rings it can be dangerous. Some of the people involved can be extremely aggressive. If you take the steps I have outlined in these articles you will enhance clothing security (and the security of other merchandise) while keeping your employees safe. Above all else, THAT should be your number one priority.

 

For more information on clothing security contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Clothing Security – A Local Problem Or Something Bigger? Part 2

April 4, 2019 by Leave a Comment

 

                                                                                                                                                       WC Blog 762
Sensormatic Tags – 4
Clothing Security-4
Clothing Security – A Local Problem Or Something Bigger? Part 2
      In Part 1 of this series on clothing security I challenged retailers to begin looking at the problem of shoplifting as more than a local issue. I referenced an article I found on an international Organized Retail Crime (ORC) group that was caught in Australia. The international flavor to the story was that this group was based out of Chile and one member had been caught in a police raid on a hotel room in the Los Angeles, California area in 2018. One store that was specifically mentioned in the article that had been targeted by these people was Victoria’s Secret. I have more to say on that in a bit. What I am concerned about is whether or not retailers are looking at their merchandise shortage and assuming that they are just being targeted by opportunists? Are retailers using Sensormatic tags and systems to protect clothes from theft? Are all possible steps being taken to stop this activity?
     National chain store Loss Prevention Departments already know about Organized Retail Theft gangs and how they get away with their activity. Smaller, independent store owners may not be familiar with these gangs. Managers may not recognize that missing merchandise can be more than just shoplifting by people looking for kicks it may be something more ominous. Now I can’t be of much assistance to the national chain stores as they have their Loss Prevention Departments and most have decided on what their model of theft prevention is going to be. I CAN help those of you who own your own stores. I will tell you that if you don’t use Sensormatic tags and electronic article surveillance pedestals you are being hurt by shoplifters. They are emptying your shelves and keeping real patrons from being able to purchase those items. I can also tell you as I mentioned in Part 1 that there are layers to a strong anti-theft culture. It starts with customer service from the time a customer enters the store until the time they leave. I am not talking about haranguing someone but just greeting people, offering assistance being observant and being available. 
     The next layer to an anti-theft culture is the use of clothing security tags on merchandise. The security devices used in your store should be Sensormatic tags. Professional shoplifters, as mentioned in the news article in Part 1, use “booster bags”. These are bags lined with tin foil with the purpose of interfering with electronic article surveillance systems. Acousto-magnetic Sensormatic tags are immune to these bags so theft attempts are thwarted at the towers as a shoplifter approaches. Other brands of security tags will set off pedestals but a booster bag will prevent them from working correctly. I will also say that other brands are not as reliable as those manufactured by Sensormatic, especially if they are made by an unknown manufacturer.
     I pointed out that Victoria’s Secret was specifically mentioned as a victim by this international criminal theft ring. It would appear from the research I was able to do on this retailer that this chain uses for clothing security. If that is true then there is something going on that is not working properly in their protection strategy.  I do know that in searching articles on shoplifting this store pops up a lot. Many of those news items indicated the theft incidents were in the thousands of dollars. After finding out about a national organized retail crime organization stealing from there, I wondered how many similar theft activities might also be international in scope. Here are some examples of what I mean:
• Gwinnet Daily Post, Jan 2, 2019 by Isabel Hughes – “Shoplifters steal over $300,000 from Gwinnett Victoria’s Secret stores”
• Myrtlebeachonline.com, Dec 5, 2018 by Hannah Strong – “’Professional Shoplifters?’ Thieves stuff clothes in bags at Victoria’s Secret, cops say”. The story reports three people stole around $3,800 in clothes.
• Greenvilleonline.com, Oct 9, 2018 by Teddy Kumala – “Men in bonnets shoplift thousands from Spartanburg Victoria’s Secret store”
• Abc7chicago.com, March 13, 2018, “Women arrested for trying to steal 11Kworth of Victoria’s Secret bras”
I want to say that I am not being critical of Victoria’s Secret as they are the victim of these criminals. I am saying there is something that is going on that is creating these kinds of headlines. It is also making them a target of extremely significant shoplifting activity.
    The final layer in a strong anti-theft culture involves the training of store managers and personnel. In Part 3 of this series I will discuss the importance of manager training to prevent shoplifting and employee theft and how it relates to clothing security. 
Need information on clothing security? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.

In Part 1 of this series on clothing security I challenged retailers to begin looking at the problem of shoplifting as more than a local issue. I referenced an article I found on an international Organized Retail Crime (ORC) group that was caught in Australia. The international flavor to the story was that this group was based out of Chile and one member had been caught in a police raid on a hotel room in the Los Angeles, California area in 2018. One store that was specifically mentioned in the article that had been targeted by these people was Victoria’s Secret. I have more to say on that in a bit. What I am concerned about is whether or not retailers are looking at their merchandise shortage and assuming that they are just being targeted by opportunists? Are retailers using Sensormatic tags and systems to protect clothes from theft? Are all possible steps being taken to stop this activity?

National chain store Loss Prevention Departments already know about Organized Retail Theft gangs and how they get away with their activity. Smaller, independent store owners may not be familiar with these gangs. Managers may not recognize that missing merchandise can be more than just shoplifting by people looking for kicks it may be something more ominous. Now I can’t be of much assistance to the national chain stores as they have their Loss Prevention Departments and most have decided on what their model of theft prevention is going to be. I CAN help those of you who own your own stores. I will tell you that if you don’t use Sensormatic tags and electronic article surveillance pedestals you are being hurt by shoplifters. They are emptying your shelves and keeping real patrons from being able to purchase those items. I can also tell you as I mentioned in Part 1 that there are layers to a strong anti-theft culture. It starts with customer service from the time a customer enters the store until the time they leave. I am not talking about haranguing someone but just greeting people, offering assistance being observant and being available. 

The next layer to an anti-theft culture is the use of clothing security tags on merchandise. The security devices used in your store should be Sensormatic tags. Professional shoplifters, as mentioned in the news article in Part 1, use “booster bags”. These are bags lined with tin foil with the purpose of interfering with electronic article surveillance systems. Acousto-magnetic Sensormatic tags are immune to these bags so theft attempts are thwarted at the towers as a shoplifter approaches. Other brands of security tags will set off pedestals but a booster bag will prevent them from working correctly. I will also say that other brands are not as reliable as those manufactured by Sensormatic, especially if they are made by an unknown manufacturer.

I pointed out that Victoria’s Secret was specifically mentioned as a victim by this international criminal theft ring. It would appear from the research I was able to do on this retailer that this chain uses for clothing security. If that is true then there is something going on that is not working properly in their protection strategy.  I do know that in searching articles on shoplifting this store pops up a lot. Many of those news items indicated the theft incidents were in the thousands of dollars. After finding out about a national organized retail crime organization stealing from there, I wondered how many similar theft activities might also be international in scope. Here are some examples of what I mean:

• Gwinnet Daily Post, Jan 2, 2019 by Isabel Hughes – “Shoplifters steal over $300,000 from Gwinnett Victoria’s Secret stores”

• Myrtlebeachonline.com, Dec 5, 2018 by Hannah Strong – “’Professional Shoplifters?’ Thieves stuff clothes in bags at Victoria’s Secret, cops say”. The story reports three people stole around $3,800 in clothes.

• Greenvilleonline.com, Oct 9, 2018 by Teddy Kumala – “Men in bonnets shoplift thousands from Spartanburg Victoria’s Secret store”

• Abc7chicago.com, March 13, 2018, “Women arrested for trying to steal 11Kworth of Victoria’s Secret bras”

I want to say that I am not being critical of Victoria’s Secret as they are the victim of these criminals. I am saying there is something that is going on that is creating these kinds of headlines. It is also making them a target of extremely significant shoplifting activity.

The final layer in a strong anti-theft culture involves the training of store managers and personnel. In Part 3 of this series I will discuss the importance of manager training to prevent shoplifting and employee theft and how it relates to clothing security. 

 

Need information on clothing security? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Clothing Security – A Local Problem Or Something Bigger? Part 1

March 4, 2019 by Leave a Comment

 

Clothing security – 3                                                                                      WC Blog 761
Sensormatic Tags – 3
Clothing Security – A Local Problem Or Something Bigger? Part 1
     Do you take clothing security in your store seriously or do you see clothing theft as a minor annoyance? Would you be more concerned about stolen merchandise if you knew that it could be much more than a teen or adult taking something here and there? Did you know that shoplifting can be part of an international crime organization? I came across a story in The Sydney Morning Herald dated 27 Dec 2018, by Cameron Houston, Chris Vedelago and Sumeyya Ilanbey, “Australian police smash international syndicate run by Chilean tourists”. The story reports that the group is suspected of the theft of more than $1 million in merchandise. Some of the theft was from homes but much of it seems to have been identified as goods shoplifted from stores. They report one of the suspects was believed to have been, “…part of a group of Chileans who stole a trove of lingerie from a Victoria’s Secret outlet in a California mall”.  The young woman mentioned in the report had already been involved in a police raid on her hotel room in 2018 in the Los Angeles area. The reporters mentioned that police found shopping bags lined with foil in the room (known in the Loss Prevention lexicon as booster bags) during their raid. From my experiences as a Loss Prevention Manager I will assert that if the $1 million in theft is what is suspected then the amount they are responsible for as a group is much higher. Are all shoplifters part of an Organized Crime Ring? No, but the same Sensormatic tags that can prevent the petty criminal activity (if you can call shoplifting a petty crime) can stop shoplifting by Organized rings.
     How does a group get away with so much theft? I’m not talking about the legal system in the United States. Unfortunately laws are extremely varied from state to state in how shoplifting is dealt with in terms of punishment. It can range from a police citation to appear in court (I have had that take place in my jurisdiction for “cooperative” suspects) to significant jail time for multiple offenses. The sad fact is in many cases shoplifting is viewed as non-violent so the penalties are a slap on the wrist and admonishment to stop stealing. The “get away” with it I am talking about is how these criminals (and I am referring to EVERY shoplifter) have the ability to get merchandise out of a store without being detected. Clothing security involves several layers of protection and each layer supports the other. 
     The first “layer of protection” to prevent shoplifting of clothing or any other merchandise requires a culture of personal customer service. From the moment a shopper enters a store there should be a greeting from an employee. The greeter has to look at who enters and try to make eye contact. Shoplifters do not want to be noticed. I have entered stores where a chime rings when you walk in and a cashier says hello while looking at the register or doing something else, never looking at me. It is what I call the obligatory greeting. The customer should also see electronic article surveillance towers when they walk through the doors indication Sensormatic tags or other devices are in use.
     The next layer of protection still involves customer service but this takes place on the sales floor. Every customer should be approached by an employee and offered assistance in locating merchandise or matching up items as in accessorizing. This not only increases sales but also gives the employee the opportunity to determine if the customer is a sincere shopper or may be “suspicious”. I use the term carefully because I am talking about suspicions involving the customer’s actions or what they may be wearing or carrying. Are they carrying a bag from another retailer not in the area? It could be a booster bag meant to neutralize Sensormatic tags.
    I am going to continue this discussion on clothing security in Part 2 because it is an important topic and cannot be sufficiently addressed in a single article. Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, it is not a petty crime and it is a nightmare for retailers if left unchecked. You also cannot assume your shortage is the result of local opportunists you could be the victim of a much larger problem. We will explore this some more in the next article. 
For more information on clothing security contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Do you take clothing security in your store seriously or do you see clothing theft as a minor annoyance? Would you be more concerned about stolen merchandise if you knew that it could be much more than a teen or adult taking something here and there? Did you know that shoplifting can be part of an international crime organization? I came across a story in The Sydney Morning Herald dated 27 Dec 2018, by Cameron Houston, Chris Vedelago and Sumeyya Ilanbey, “Australian police smash international syndicate run by Chilean tourists”. The story reports that the group is suspected of the theft of more than $1 million in merchandise. Some of the theft was from homes but much of it seems to have been identified as goods shoplifted from stores. They report one of the suspects was believed to have been, “…part of a group of Chileans who stole a trove of lingerie from a Victoria’s Secret outlet in a California mall”.  The young woman mentioned in the report had already been involved in a police raid on her hotel room in 2018 in the Los Angeles area. The reporters mentioned that police found shopping bags lined with foil in the room (known in the Loss Prevention lexicon as booster bags) during their raid. From my experiences as a Loss Prevention Manager I will assert that if the $1 million in theft is what is suspected then the amount they are responsible for as a group is much higher. Are all shoplifters part of an Organized Crime Ring? No, but the same Sensormatic tags that can prevent the petty criminal activity (if you can call shoplifting a petty crime) can stop shoplifting by Organized rings.

How does a group get away with so much theft? I’m not talking about the legal system in the United States. Unfortunately laws are extremely varied from state to state in how shoplifting is dealt with in terms of punishment. It can range from a police citation to appear in court (I have had that take place in my jurisdiction for “cooperative” suspects) to significant jail time for multiple offenses. The sad fact is in many cases shoplifting is viewed as non-violent so the penalties are a slap on the wrist and admonishment to stop stealing. The “get away” with it I am talking about is how these criminals (and I am referring to EVERY shoplifter) have the ability to get merchandise out of a store without being detected. Clothing security involves several layers of protection and each layer supports the other. 

The first “layer of protection” to prevent shoplifting of clothing or any other merchandise requires a culture of personal customer service. From the moment a shopper enters a store there should be a greeting from an employee. The greeter has to look at who enters and try to make eye contact. Shoplifters do not want to be noticed. I have entered stores where a chime rings when you walk in and a cashier says hello while looking at the register or doing something else, never looking at me. It is what I call the obligatory greeting. The customer should also see electronic article surveillance towers when they walk through the doors indication Sensormatic tags or other devices are in use.

The next layer of protection still involves customer service but this takes place on the sales floor. Every customer should be approached by an employee and offered assistance in locating merchandise or matching up items as in accessorizing. This not only increases sales but also gives the employee the opportunity to determine if the customer is a sincere shopper or may be “suspicious”. I use the term carefully because I am talking about suspicions involving the customer’s actions or what they may be wearing or carrying. Are they carrying a bag from another retailer not in the area? It could be a booster bag meant to neutralize Sensormatic tags.

I am going to continue this discussion on clothing security in Part 2 because it is an important topic and cannot be sufficiently addressed in a single article. Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, it is not a petty crime and it is a nightmare for retailers if left unchecked. You also cannot assume your shortage is the result of local opportunists you could be the victim of a much larger problem. We will explore this some more in the next article. 

 

For more information on clothing security, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

 

 

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Clothing Security For The Real World

February 3, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Clothing Security For The Real World

How do we provide clothing security in an effective, cost conscious manner? It is not enough to train your employees and put Sensormatic tags on your merchandise, if it is more expensive in labor and hardware than the losses themselves. Here are the things you should consider before you do anything.
First, what is the real cost to your losses. If you lose a $100 item you have only lost $100, right? No you have actually lost much more. Here is the way you calculate that. Take the item at retail cost, in this case $100 and divide it by your profit margin. To keep it simple I will use the average, overall profit margin which is 2%. So, $100 divided by 0.02 = $5000. Yes that is FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS for a $100 item stolen. Because you will have to sell an ADDITIONAL $5k to break even on that $100 loss. AND that is not to make money it is only to break even. If you lose $100 every other day, well, you do the math. This is not just someone else’s problem it is your world also!
Next, how do we make clothing security cost effective? A clothing alarm such as a Sensormatic system can be expensive, however, if that is what your impression is then it is time to take a real look into the world of Sensormatic. There are very cost friendly systems available. But, more importantly you must have a reliable system that will cause you few problems. Sensormatic systems are a commercial grade and are meant to stand up to the rigors of challenging retail environments. Sensormatic systems’ Acousto Magnetic (AM) technology is over 50 years old. It is in most of the top retailers in the world. AM systems operate 24/7 with very few of the false alarms that other systems have. That is key because if you and your staff experience false alarms on a regular basis, then you will eventually have less trust in the system.
With clothing security we also have to consider what merchandise we need to protect. Many of our customers tell us they “want to protect everything”. Although, in some cases that is necessary, however, in most cases it is not realistic or needed. We need to take the emotion out of this equation. The Sensormatic tags are pretty inexpensive but the labor to put clothing security tags on every piece of merchandise could be costly in labor. 
What you should consider is putting clothing security tags on approximately 20% of your merchandise that is causing approximately 80% of your losses. Clothing security tags on this amount of goods will tend to send the shoplifters down the street. Some determined shoplifters will look at stealing other items in your store. You will then identify those items and place Sensormatic tags on them also. At this point, if you maintain your tagging program most of your losses will go away.
You and your staff will need to be trained in how to respond to clothing alarms however, we take care of that for you. Our approach to clothing alarms is customer service based. This solves a number of problems including customer errors such as Sensormatic tags or labels from another retailer on merchandise they bring into your store causing an alarm. And errors on the part of your store’ staff. This could include failing to remove Sensormatic tags at checkout and Sensormatic tags on merchandise placed too close to the system at your doors.
Loss Prevention Systems will not just train you how to respond to a clothing alarm but how to identify and discourage a potential shoplifter while providing great customer service to your good customers.
For more information on Sensormatic systems, Sensormatic tags, clothing alarms and clothing security contact us today or call toll free 1-770-426-0547. Together we can solve your shoplifting problems once and for all.

How do we provide clothing security in an effective, cost conscious manner? It is not enough to train your employees and put Sensormatic tags on your merchandise, if it is more expensive in labor and hardware than the losses themselves. Here are the things you should consider before you do anything.

 

First, what is the real cost to your losses. If you lose a $100 item you have only lost $100, right? No you have actually lost much more. Here is the way you calculate that. Take the item at retail cost, in this case $100 and divide it by your profit margin. To keep it simple I will use the average, overall profit margin which is 2%. So, $100 divided by 0.02 = $5000. Yes that is FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS for a $100 item stolen. Because you will have to sell an ADDITIONAL $5k to break even on that $100 loss. AND that is not to make money it is only to break even. If you lose $100 every other day, well, you do the math. This is not just someone else’s problem it is your world also!

 

Next, how do we make clothing security cost effective? A clothing alarm such as a Sensormatic system can be expensive, however, if that is what your impression is then it is time to take a real look into the world of Sensormatic. There are very cost friendly systems available. But, more importantly you must have a reliable system that will cause you few problems. Sensormatic systems are a commercial grade and are meant to stand up to the rigors of challenging retail environments. Sensormatic systems’ Acousto Magnetic (AM) technology is over 50 years old. It is in most of the top retailers in the world. AM systems operate 24/7 with very few of the false alarms that other systems have. That is key because if you and your staff experience false alarms on a regular basis, then you will eventually have less trust in the system.

 

With clothing security we also have to consider what merchandise we need to protect. Many of our customers tell us they “want to protect everything”. Although, in some cases that is necessary, however, in most cases it is not realistic or needed. We need to take the emotion out of this equation. The Sensormatic tags are pretty inexpensive but the labor to put clothing security tags on every piece of merchandise could be costly in labor. 

 

What you should consider is putting clothing security tags on approximately 20% of your merchandise that is causing approximately 80% of your losses. Clothing security tags on this amount of goods will tend to send the shoplifters down the street. Some determined shoplifters will look at stealing other items in your store. You will then identify those items and place Sensormatic tags on them also. At this point, if you maintain your tagging program most of your losses will go away.

 

You and your staff will need to be trained in how to respond to clothing alarms however, we take care of that for you. Our approach to clothing alarms is customer service based. This solves a number of problems including customer errors such as Sensormatic tags or labels from another retailer on merchandise they bring into your store causing an alarm. And errors on the part of your store’ staff. This could include failing to remove Sensormatic tags at checkout and Sensormatic tags on merchandise placed too close to the system at your doors.

 

Loss Prevention Systems will not just train you how to respond to a clothing alarm but how to identify and discourage a potential shoplifter while providing great customer service to your good customers.

 

For more information on Sensormatic systems, Sensormatic tags, clothing alarms and clothing security contact us today or call toll free 1-770-426-0547. Together we can solve your shoplifting problems once and for all.

 

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Clothing Security Puts A Stop To Shrinking Clothes

January 4, 2019 by Leave a Comment

 

Clothing Security – 4                                                                                                                    WC Blog 727
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Clothing Security Puts A Stop To Shrinking Clothes
     Let’s assume that everyone reading this article owns or manages a clothing and fashion store and no one is using any type of clothing security tags on merchandise. Rather than ask you why you are not doing it, I would like to know what it would take to get you to change your mind. Would you have to be losing 1% in shortage to convince you that merchandise protection is important? Would an average of 1.5% shrink make you reconsider a decision not to put Sensormatic tags on merchandise? If you still don’t see it as extremely important then maybe this fact from the Sensormatic Global Shrink Index will jolt you a bit. On page 43 of their report the shrinkage rate in the U.S. for 2017-2018 in Fashion and Accessory stores was a whopping 2.43% ranking #1 (worst) among the 12 vertical store categories listed. I don’t know how much clearer the facts can be that clothing has to be protected and for most small or even medium sized stores a Loss Prevention Associate is out of the question. What isn’t out of your price range is a Sensormatic security system and the use of Sensormatic tags.
     In their global analysis of retailers, the Global Shrink Index says that 62% of respondents indicate EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) investment is increasing (pg. 23). The report also says that external theft/shoplifting in the U.S. accounted for over 1/3 of retail shortage or 35.55%. Why are retailers investing more in EAS technology? Because the major retailers recognize that Sensormatic tags and labels can have a significant impact on theft reduction and especially shoplifting. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. (LPSI) believes EAS can reduce store inventory shrinkage by about half. If you go to their Loss Prevention Calculator (tabbed as ROI Calc. on their home page), you can see that the figure they give if you purchase a Sensormatic system from them is a reduction in shrink of approximately .55%. They project retailer’s average shortage is 1.2% and with the installation of a Loss Prevention system it would reduce shortage  to a .65%. The evidence is clear that clothing security will be improved if a store begins to use EAS tags and labels.
     LPSI founder Bill Bregar also knows that while purchasing a security system is going to help reduce theft there has to be proper training on how to test equipment, respond to alarm activations and how customer service all make a system more effective. This company won’t abandon you after a sale. Purchase a Sensormatic system from LPSI and you receive “free, live shoplifting prevention training for the life of your Sensormatic…system.” That is correct, clothing security isn’t just about installing a system and forgetting about it. There are best practices to get the most out of a system and Bill wants you to get every dollar’s worth out of a new one and also learn how to prevent shoplifting.
     Clothing security also requires a store to put in measures to control employee theft as well as shoplifting. While employees can steal in ways that are not necessarily stopped by Sensormatic tags, for example the passing of merchandise at the checkout lane, tags DO prevent employees from outright theft. I have witnessed employees hiding merchandise in purses and under their clothing and then walking out of a store. As long as they do not have access to detachment tools or deactivation pads and they have to exit through EAS pedestals, employees with concealed, tagged items are going to set off the alarms. Store procedural controls such as mandatory bag checks before leaving and requiring employees to keep coats and purses in lockers can help further reduce opportunities for dishonest workers to steal.
     With the addition of a Sensormatic system and tags, training from LPSI and sensible store policies regarding employee expectations, store owners can dramatically reduce shrinkage. Fashion retailers don’t have to feel the pain of 2.43% shrink. Contact Bill and his team and get the resources that can cut that number in half and then some.
For more information about clothing security, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Let’s assume that everyone reading this article owns or manages a clothing and fashion store and no one is using any type of clothing security tags on merchandise. Rather than ask you why you are not doing it, I would like to know what it would take to get you to change your mind. Would you have to be losing 1% in shortage to convince you that merchandise protection is important? Would an average of 1.5% shrink make you reconsider a decision not to put Sensormatic tags on merchandise? If you still don’t see it as extremely important then maybe this fact from the Sensormatic Global Shrink Index will jolt you a bit. On page 43 of their report the shrinkage rate in the U.S. for 2017-2018 in Fashion and Accessory stores was a whopping 2.43% ranking #1 (worst) among the 12 vertical store categories listed. I don’t know how much clearer the facts can be that clothing has to be protected and for most small or even medium sized stores a Loss Prevention Associate is out of the question. What isn’t out of your price range is a Sensormatic security system and the use of Sensormatic tags.

In their global analysis of retailers, the Global Shrink Index says that 62% of respondents indicate EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) investment is increasing (pg. 23). The report also says that external theft/shoplifting in the U.S. accounted for over 1/3 of retail shortage or 35.55%. Why are retailers investing more in EAS technology? Because the major retailers recognize that Sensormatic tags and labels can have a significant impact on theft reduction and especially shoplifting. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. (LPSI) believes EAS can reduce store inventory shrinkage by about half. If you go to their Loss Prevention Calculator (tabbed as ROI Calc. on their home page), you can see that the figure they give if you purchase a Sensormatic system from them is a reduction in shrink of approximately .55%. They project retailer’s average shortage is 1.2% and with the installation of a Loss Prevention system it would reduce shortage  to a .65%. The evidence is clear that clothing security will be improved if a store begins to use EAS tags and labels.

LPSI founder Bill Bregar also knows that while purchasing a security system is going to help reduce theft there has to be proper training on how to test equipment, respond to alarm activations and how customer service all make a system more effective. This company won’t abandon you after a sale. Purchase a Sensormatic system from LPSI and you receive “free, live shoplifting prevention training for the life of your Sensormatic…system.” That is correct, clothing security isn’t just about installing a system and forgetting about it. There are best practices to get the most out of a system and Bill wants you to get every dollar’s worth out of a new one and also learn how to prevent shoplifting.

Clothing security also requires a store to put in measures to control employee theft as well as shoplifting. While employees can steal in ways that are not necessarily stopped by Sensormatic tags, for example the passing of merchandise at the checkout lane, tags DO prevent employees from outright theft. I have witnessed employees hiding merchandise in purses and under their clothing and then walking out of a store. As long as they do not have access to detachment tools or deactivation pads and they have to exit through EAS pedestals, employees with concealed, tagged items are going to set off the alarms. Store procedural controls such as mandatory bag checks before leaving and requiring employees to keep coats and purses in lockers can help further reduce opportunities for dishonest workers to steal.

With the addition of a Sensormatic system and tags, training from LPSI and sensible store policies regarding employee expectations, store owners can dramatically reduce shrinkage. Fashion retailers don’t have to feel the pain of 2.43% shrink. Contact Bill and his team and get the resources that can cut that number in half and then some.

 

For more information about clothing security, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

 

 

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Clamp Down On Organized Retail Crime With EAS Tags

September 2, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Clothing Security-3                                                                                                                         WC Blog 566
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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. 

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Super Advice On Why Clothing Security Is Important

July 5, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Clothing Security – 4                                                                                                                         WC Blog 541
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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.

 

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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.
     

 

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