Who is watching your back door?

Some bigger stores have the luxury of an employee only entrance. It is great to help mitigate and control internal theft. Usually these retailers have some sort of door guard or watchman. They check bags and refunds as well as signing off on employee purchases. They can also keep an eye out for any live retail anti theft devices that may have accidentally (or otherwise) not been deactivated.

 For the rest of us, it is not always that easy. While there might still be an approved entrance and/ or exit there is always a back door. The back door is generally used for trash and receipt of deliveries. Any security measures taken there are not specifically designed to prevent shoplifting, but rather to prevent employee theft.

 Unless there is someone watching this door, this is a big area for employee theft to happen. Many employees will try to find ways to sneak merchandise out the back.

 This is where a device like the Nano Gate comes in handy. It is compact in design enabling it to hang discreetly on a wall out of the way of damage. The big bulky EAS towers would not be conducive to receiving a truck full of merchandise boxed up. A Nano Gate would be a much better fit.

 By having an extra alarm creates one more step an employee stealing would have to thwart. They would no longer be able to sneak EAS tagged merchandise out the back door and try to deactivate tags in the privacy of their own home. The Nano Gate would, if nothing else cut down on the high dollar items walking out the back.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store for retail anti theft devices in conjunction with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

 For more information on how you can use retail anti theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

 

The right device for the right product

In my years of working in loss prevention I have seen some ridiculous misuses of company resources.  Most of the time it involves company employees pulling dangerous or inane stunts with equipment that they think is funny.  I have seen people driving scissor lifts through coffee shop drive-thrus and riding pallet jacks like skateboards.  While such things fall within our realm of responsibility as liability issues they are actually not the worse misuse of equipment we can come across.

I am speaking specifically about incorrect or improper application of retail anti theft devices.  Just the other day I came across fifty dollar sneakers in a store with Spider Wraps sealing the boxes.  Now I understand some stores have issues with footwear theft and are looking to prevent shoplifting but Spider Wrapping boxes is somewhat extreme, rather time-consuming, and creates a hassle for when someone wants to try on or buy said shoes. 

I have seen retail anti theft devices ineffectively attached to items (like putting cable locks on detachable or unsecured appendages), overused (putting a 2 Alarm AND Spider Wrap onto the same piece of product), or completely unused (EAS tags left in boxes instead of put on product).  If you are trying to prevent shoplifting then you need to be mindful of how to correctly implement your anti-theft devices in order to protect your assets and also make sure you aren’t wasting your time and money in the long run.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store for retail anti theft devices in conjunction with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

 For more information on how you can use retail anti theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 

 

Keep It Under Wraps

As spring is well under way, so are many home improvement projects for homeowners. In the home improvement industry, the time from beginning of April through the fourth of July is the busiest time. Memorial day weekend is often compared to black Friday or Christmas. If most stores don’t make their sales during this time, their entire year’s projections can be shot.

 I have spent many years trying to prevent shoplifting from happening in the home improvement stores that I have managed loss prevention for. I know that as this busy season increases sales, it also increases shoplifters and shoplifting attempts.

 One of the best retail anti theft devices I have seen used is the Spider Wrap. I wish all stores were using the spider wraps. They are criss- crossed wires with a center disc joining them as they wrap around a box. The Spider Wrap keeps the boxes contents inside. If anyone attempts to tamper with the box, the Spider Wrap will alarm.

 Shoplifters are not always well prepared. When they come across a Spider Wrap, there is no easy way to deactivate the alarm without it going off. The last thing a shoplifter wants is to draw attention to them, so it is a pretty good deterrent, I’d say. Keep it under wraps, and keep your shoplifters at bay.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store for retail anti theft devices in conjunction with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

 For more information on how you can use retail anti theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

 

Out of the ordinary placement of anti theft devices

In one of my stores there is a problem that isn’t exactly unique to them but is somewhat of an epidemic.  They are constantly losing shoes to shoplifting.  In their efforts to prevent shoplifting in their store they have tried brainstorming numerous ways to battle this issue, but in spite of their efforts their total shrink in that department is astounding.  They have done everything from ensure one hundred percent tagging standards to twenty-four hour surveillance of the area, but still they get beat. 

The problem seems to be that the retail anti theft devices they are currently using have been beaten and the local thieves seem to have spread the word on the methods to do it.  After researching the problem we have come up with a somewhat unorthodox use for a different type of retail anti theft device which so far has seemed to confound the culprits.  Now the department is required to use 2 Alarm locks on all footwear in the store, specifically running the cable through the eye-loops of the footwear itself or attaching it to a structurally sound part of the item.  Also, if possible, they are to run the 2 Alarm units through BOTH pieces of footwear, thereby ensuring that the pair is kept intact and should anyone attempt to defeat the 2 Alarm piece it will simply sound off alerting associates to possible purloining of product. 

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store for retail anti theft devices in conjunction with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

 For more information on how you can use retail anti theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 

It’s Never Too Late to Think About The Prom

There is a high school around the corner from my house that is proudly displaying their upcoming prom on the billboard. As I walk through the produce section of my local grocery store, there are boxed corsages of orchids and lilies just waiting to be scooped up by an anxious young high schooler who forgot to order one in advance. The department stores have their ball gowns front and center to catch a girl’s eye as she passes through. Ahh, Prom Time.

 It’s the time of year when young love is at it’s finest. It’s also a big time for overextended high school students to start wardrobing. Prom dresses and accessories are not in danger of being stolen. This isn’t a time to be concerned with how to prevent shoplifting. Retail anti theft devices like hard and soft tags won’t be effective against wardrobing. What is effective is a Shark Tag.

 A Shark Tag is a plastic clamp that is placed in a conspicuous spot on a garment. The shark tags are designed to be easily removed after purchase with a pair of scissors. It is a store’s big win to prevent returns on single use outfits like prom dresses. A cashier needs only to explain that the item cannot be returned if the shark tag has been removed.

 By eliminating these refunders, you will increase your profits by eliminating needless returns of worn merchandise. You will also have the proper in stock for the true sale.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store for retail anti theft devices in conjunction with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

 For more information on how you can use retail anti theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

 

How Much Are They?

Prom is a magical time in a young girls high school career. There is the excitement and anticipation of being asked to go to a formal dance.  It is a more mature dinner and dance, a gateway into the “adult” world. For some, there is even the glamour of riding around in a limo for the night. It is truly a memorable night.

 Unfortunately, it can also be a very expensive night. By the time you add up the shoes and hair and dress, dinner, limo, corsages, accessories… The expenses can end up being just as memorable.

 As a retailer, it goes without saying that you are always trying to prevent shoplifting. Having the most up to date retail anti theft devices is a must to stay ahead of the game. When it comes time for Prom, employ the use of a Jewel Lok for your accessories.

 Jewel loks are designed specifically for accessories like earrings. Instead of flimsy backs with embedded soft tags that can be discarded, Jewel loks keep everything in place until purchase.

 With all of the other expenses, and the peer pressure to look your best, it is not uncommon for the pressure to get the best of an impressionable teenager. Rather than forgo an added expense like accessories, some may turn to shoplifting to supplement their pocketbook.

 Be proactive and keep your accessories under the right kind of lock and key; the Jewel Lok.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store for retail anti theft devices in conjunction with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

 For more information on how you can use retail anti theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

 

Avoiding Spider Bites

As I new homeowner, I spend a lot of my free time in one of two places; the hardware store and in the home décor section of big box retailers. Having worked for a home improvement warehouse in the past, my eye is still instinctively trained to watch out for the high shrink items as I walk around. 

One of the things that my local store uses, which we did not, is Spider Wraps. These ingenious little devices are cords that cross a box like the ribbon on a present with a round attachment in the middle. They serve a few purposes in their role to prevent shoplifting.

 The first is easy, any time you use a retail anti theft device to protect your inventory, your shrink will decrease. The next is when used on an item like a power drill; you keep the product inside its case and packaging. The Spider Wrap protects the case from being opened. I have numerous apprehensions where the merchandise was removed from its case and concealed in a bag or under a coat.

 Finally, if the perpetrator cannot open the box, they may try to steal the entire thing. The Spider Wrap will do its job by sounding an alarm if the box is stolen. Don’t forget the squeal it will emit if the wrap is tampered with. All in all, it is safe to say that Spider Wraps are a highly effective tool to prevent shoplifting.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store for retail anti theft devices in conjunction with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

 For more information on how you can use retail anti theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

 

The Lipstick Index

Lately, our health and beauty section of the store has been seeing an increase in shoplifting attempts. It makes sense, I guess. When times are tough, people want something to make them feel better. I read an article about recessions and how everyone has their own indicators about how bad the economy is. One in particular that caught my eye was the Lipstick/ Nail Polish index.

 The Lipstick/ Nail Polish Index is basically an influx in sales of lipstick, and now nail polish as well. That new pop of color can bring a smile back to a woman who is down on her luck for a rather reasonable splurge. She may not be able to afford a new pair of shoes or a new outfit. A tube of lipstick on the other hand is more financially attainable.

 Same principle goes for shoplifters. A woman wants to feel a little better, but may not be able to afford the lipstick, so she steals it instead. Trying to prevent shoplifting of this nature is often tricky. These are the opportunists who don’t intend to steal, but are presented with an opportunity and her wants get the best of her.

 This is where using retail anti theft devices is crucial. Because these are not your typical hardened criminals, the simple application of a retail anti theft device like and EAS tag makes a huge impact. The would be shoplifter won’t dare try to take that extra step to deactivate it. Their want will be put back into check and the customer will leave the store as a customer, not a shoplifter.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store for retail anti theft devices in conjunction with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

 For more information on how you can use retail anti theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 

 

Securing your removal keys is a no-brainer

Every type of security device is removed in one of two methods: the legitimate way using a corresponding removal key, and the illegitimate way which usually involves a pair of pliers or bolt-cutters.  Savvy shoplifters know how to identify the legitimate tools and always look for opportunities to get their hands on them.  Every so often they succeed thanks to the laziness, forgetfulness, or plain carelessness of an employee. 

I’ve seen some companies secure the tools right to the cash wrap and others require their employees to carry them on their person or stash them in a register.  For stores using Spider Wraps, 2 Alarm, or 3 Alarm retail anti theft devices only the last two methods are plausible as it would prove impossible to remove a Spider Wrap with a tool that was welded to a counter.  In my experience, the best way to ensure the convenient removal of your Spider Wraps is to make it impossible for your tools to wander.  Obviously there is no sure-fire practice as every store operates differently, but I am basing my suggestion on a fairly ‘textbook’ store setup. 

In most stores there is usually a space (or cubby-hole if you prefer) somewhere directly beneath or nearby the register.  Installing a small storage space, similar to a hide-a-key on the underside of the space provides you with a discreet area to protect your removal tools from prying eyes while also keeping them in an area your employees will remember since it will be so unique.

Keep in mind though that regardless of how you secure you try to prevent shoplifting by protecting your retail anti theft device removal tools if a shoplifter really wants to get their hands on one, they will find a way.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store for retail anti theft devices that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

 For more information on how you can use retail anti theft devices to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 

The low impact way to prevent shoplifting

Maybe you have a smaller store, or perhaps just don’t have a huge budget for retail anti theft devices.  If such is the case there is a simple method to scare off a large portion of your potential ‘opportunist’ shoplifters; deception. 

All it takes it creating the illusion you have a bigger network of retail anti theft devices than what you actually possess.  As I have said before, the most common way to prevent shoplifting is to use your tools as a deterrent first and foremost and focus your hands-on work for the tried and true criminals. 

Starting with the basics you should at the very least install Nano Gates at your entry points.  That right there generates the idea in the heads of those entering your store that you possess the items that work in concert with the Nano Gates.  Then, at your discretion (and within your plans/budget), you install retail anti theft devices on very visible and/or high value merchandise.  Be they Spider Wraps or Jewel Loks just make sure everyone sees that they are there. 

Finally, you want to remove as many blind spots in your store as possible, and maybe even put up a few false cameras.  While YOU will know that they are not real, the vast majority of potential shoplifters won’t and will avoid trying to pull anything while they suspect they are being watched.

It may not seem like a great way to spend your loss prevention budget, but as I said before, with just a few Nano Gates and the overall illusion that you are more secure than you actually are, you can trick thieves into leaving you alone before they even attempt anything.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store for retail anti theft devices that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

 For more information on how you can use retail anti theft devices to prevent shoplifting http://www.losspreventionsystems.com/site.cfm/Contact-Us.cfm or call 1.770.426.0547