Clothing security tags are a popular line of defense for retailers in the battle against shoplifters and there are many options available.  Not all clothing security tags are created equal though.

Checkpoint Systems is the world’s leading manufacturer of EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) systems, which use radio frequency technology to detect security tags and labels on merchandise via sensors installed at doorways.  As with any industry the leader is always followed and there are many  clothing security tags and label copies manufactured overseas.

But buyers beware.  These slightly less expensive tags and labels do have negatives that need to be understood.  The most popular Checkpoint tags are the mini hard tags and the barcode labels:

 

The issues with the cheaper copies are something the average retailer would not really notice at first unless they did some extensive testing.  For example, 25% of the cheaper copies can be dead out of the box / will not set off the alarm.  The reason being there is no quality control on the imported cheapies…QC is an expensive process which affects the cost.  Checkpoint goes so far with their quality control that they actually test every label before it leaves the plant.  Any dead tags are marked with a red dot so that the customer knows to skip that label.  (All rolls of labels are guaranteed to have a minimum of 2,000 good labels).

The copycat mini hard tags are easy to spot.  First all Genuine Checkpoint products have their logo embossed on them.  Also, the fit and finish is very noticeably different.  The copies have a manufacturing seam that you can stick a small screwdriver or knife into and break open in seconds.  The Checkpoint seams are so tight they look like a molded one piece unit.

Just like anything else, you get what you pay for and  clothing security tags are no different.  For more information go to: clothing security tags or visit Loss Prevention Systems for continental US systems installations.

Really cool clothing security tags

Imagine this, a shoplifter in your clothing area wants to steal a dress. They conceal the item and leave your store. They are not suspected or caught. Will they be back? Oh yeah!

Now imagine that when they get home (somewhere under a rock) that they pull out their prize and discover a Checkpoint Chekink tag attached. OK now what?

 They will have to try to remove the clothing security tags forcefully. When they do, long before the tag is broken off the two vials of pressurized ink/dye rupture and spread on the dress. Because they are pressurized the ink does not just seep out.

But wait; let’s put the entire dress and Chekink tag in the freezer. Once we freeze the tag we try to then force it off. Sorry, we thought of that. The ink/dye in the glass vials are made with an anti-freeze solution. Oops, still pressurized and still liquid.

But what about accidents by store personnel? Wont we ruin merchandise sometimes? The amount of force to break the vials is pretty high and normal use does not pose a problem. Hit them with a hammer and we may have a problem. These are clothing security tags with a little something extra. Oh and by the way they work by themselves or with any checkpoint security system hard tag!

For more information: Contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Checkpoint is releasing new  clothing security tags . They are called the “3G Hard Tag With Super Lock”. These tags are bi-color white and gray. The 3G is similar in size to the mini-hard tag.

The 3G will solve several problems in the mini-hard tag area. Cheap imports knockoffs have been made to look identical to the Checkpoint tag, less the Checkpoint logo. These knockoffs generally have rough edges that snag clothing.  They also have very poor locking clutches that do not function smoothly.

3G clothing security tags will require a super detacher, which means that shoplifters will not be able to remove them. Placement of the 3G will be the same as any other hard tag. Place them on a seam, top rear of a shirt below the collar, eyelet of a shoe, etc.  Use the same pins you already have. The 3G also has a hole that will accept a flex string. Use this to loop the flex string through larger items.

Another clothing security tag tip is to drop a label such as a 410 in a pocket in addition to the hard tag. Double your security for a few more pennies.

For more information clothing security tags or call 1.770.426.0547

If you are using normal clothing security tags and still experiencing loss you need to evaluate the problem and take further action Follow the steps below:

1 Is the loss on all types of merchandise you sell or just specific types of items. In other words certain lines such as Polo or leather jackets are being targeted. You have to know this first. Keep a log. Have your employees note where and when they find evidence of this.

2 You need to consider how and where you apply your clothing security tags . Are they on a seam or other location that is robust enough to make tag removal difficult? Are your employees applying tags to every one of the items that you have decided must be tagged? Many times tagging does not happen and the product gets put out anyway.

3 If it is specific line of items that have problems you may need to add a new tag to your arsenal of tags. There are tags that take your security to another level. This tag is not used in place of your standard hard tags but in addition to it. This new tag will still cause an alarm on your Checkpoint system. However, the tag itself can have its own built in sounder that is VERY loud. The sounder will go off if the tag goes through the Checkpoint antennas. There is little doubt at that point where the tag is.

But, better yet while in the store if the shoplifter attempts to damage or remove the tag the built in tag sounder goes off.

4 When the Checkpoint Anti-shoplifting system alarms, are your employees simply waving the customer on? Every time you do this you train your customers, shoplifters and anyone else that observes this that you can shoplift to your hearts content.

If you take clothing security tags seriously then you will reduce shoplifting.

Learn more:  clothing security tags or call 1.770.426.0547

or visit Loss Prevention Systems, Inc.