Use Shark Tags to prevent loss due to wear and return Prom Dresses.

It’s hard to believe, but Prom for most schools is only a few months away.  This is a time that can be both profitable and costly for many retailers who sell formal gowns.  My experience has been that a lot of customers (especially in this down economy) follow the practice of buying the dress and then returning it after the dance.  This causes several problems.  One, the store spent a lot of time and effort to sell the product and doesn’t need the refunds hitting the bottom line.  Additionally, many dresses are returned (with the claim they have never been worn) and are damaged.  This is shrink that the stores will incur.  To combat this issue I suggest using retail anti theft devices, such as the Shark Tag from Alpha Security.

 There are many retail anti theft devices on the market today.  Most are designed to prevent shoplifting.  These retail anti theft devices are usually sensor tags that sound an alarm when a customer decides to steal them.  These are great tools to prevent shoplifting, but they can’t help the wear and return issue.  The Shark Tag is different.  The Shark Tag is a plastic tag that pinches (not punctures) into place on the clothes.  These are best when used in conspicuous places like the middle of the chest area.  The customer has to take it off (or look ridiculous) before they wear the product.  Since most store’s refund policy excludes taking back worn items, this helps you prove that the item as has been warn.  Instead of arguing over whether or not the customer is lying about wearing the product you can simply point out that without the Shark Tag in place the store can’t do the refund.  Problem solved.

 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 

 

Jewelry- Pretty and Pretty Frustrating

As I look across my desk at work I see the usual suspects: Pen, paper, computer, half drank coffee cup, and empty packages. Lots of empty packages. I know that this is a normal sight for most LP or retail Managers. It’s hard to prevent shoplifting when things are so small and easily concealed. Things like the empty jewelry packages scattered daily across my desk.

 When you think of all the retail anti theft devices out there, most are not conducive to small packages or things like jewelry. Jewelry is it’s own special beast. Tiny loose pieces that are often open and hard to wrap, tag, sticker or clamp. The packaging is often what has the anti theft devices on it, which is why the packages are discarded by thieves.

 Well, now there is the Jewel Lok to save the day. Alpha Security has a few types of Jewel Loks to meet different criteria. They have Jewel Loks for stud and hoop earrings that attach directly onto the earring.

 They also have what is called a loose jewelry solution. It is a small clamp that is covered in plastic to avoid scraping the jewelry. It is easy to attach to things like bracelets or necklaces that would easily slide off their packages or hang tags.

 I know that once the new Jewel Loks are in place, there will be a drastic reduction on the amount of loss in that area. I also can’t wait to reduce the amount of clutter on my desk from stolen jewelry packages.

 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 

 

Is your hair HOT?

One of the hottest fashion statements a person can make right now is the use of clip in feathers and hair extensions to change their look. As most trends, these accessories can range in price and even go up into the hundreds while they are in style. This can be terrifying for the owners of beauty supply chains throughout the country.

 Right now some of the top most stolen items, particularly in the Greater Atlanta area, are hair extensions (Click here for Story). These extensions are either synthetic or human hair and are extremely expensive in some cases. Beauty supply stores owners are having such a high theft problem with these items that in some cases they have to worry about their own safety.  Luckily there are retail anti theft devices that can be implemented to help prevent these items from walking out the door.

 Checkpoint Security Systems have several products that can be attached to these hair extensions (or weaves) that will sound an alarm if they are taken without going through the cash register. The Fashion2 Mini hard tag can be pinned through the woven part of the hair extension and is small enough to fit inside packaging in most cases. There are also retail security labels that can be attached to the outside of packaging and can also be used on other high theft beauty supply products, such as hair dye and high end scissors.

 If you are a beauty supply store owner you have heard of these thefts and you are more than likely a victim, whether you know it or not. Stop letting your profits walk out and be made on the street. Stop shoplifters from stealing your high end weaves today!

 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 

 

3 Alarm technology does more than stop theft. It also protects against liability.

Anyone who has spent a large amount of time apprehending shoplifters has either made a bad stop or come really close.  When I say “bad stop” I’m referring to an apprehension where the suspect, in fact, did not have the product on their person.  The most common reason is that the LP Agent saw the customer conceal the product, but somewhere along the way the suspect de-concealed the product and the LP Agent missed it.  This situations can be very costly to companies as potential lawsuits can be filed for false imprisonment, defamation of character, emotional distress, etc.  To this end, many retailers have stopped making apprehensions all together.  I think the real solution lies in a happy medium.

 Stores need LP Agents making apprehensions.  This in and of itself helps prevent shoplifting as it sends a message that your store is not an easy target.  To help your LP Agents make safe and responsible apprehensions I suggest adding retail anti theft devices to the mix.  Retail anti theft devices will by themselves help prevent shoplifting.  Many would-be shoplifters will be deterred by having sensor tags, spider wrap, etc. on the product.  A new series of retail anti theft devices are called 3 Alarm products and are produced by Alpha security.  To maximize the 3 Alarm system I also suggest getting the Nano Gate from Alpha as well. 

 The 3 Alarm sensor tags do several things.  One, they act as a traditional EAS tag that sets off the door alarm.  When you add the Nano Gate the 3 Alarm tags will also activate an alarm built into the tag itself (once it passes the Nano Gate at the door).  When an LP Agent knows a suspect concealed an item with a 3 Alarm tag then they should expect the tag to sound from the shoplifters bag when the person exits.  A sounding alarm means they did not miss anything and are safe to make the apprehension.  No alarm and they can back off before making a costly mistake.

 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 

 

New retail anti theft devices actually make protecting accessories more than a dream.

For years I have suffered through the pain of shrink in my accessories department.  For many department stores the shrink percent of this department is the highest in the store.  It seems we lose almost as much as we sell.  The reason is fairly simple.  These items are very small, easy to conceal or wear, and cannot be protected.  Or should I say couldn’t be protected.  Alpha Security has a revolutionary set of retail anti theft devices aimed to help prevent shoplifting of these expensive little items.

 There are several Jewel Lok retail anti theft devices available.  There are two Jewel Lok options for earrings.  One is for hoop earrings and the other for stud earrings.  Both options help prevent shoplifting by applying the tag directly to the product and not just the packaging.  For years our only option was to put a soft tag on the jewelry packaging.  These were often torn off or the shoplifter would just remove the product from the package and the tag was ineffective at that point.  With the Jewel Lok tags the actual product is protected and the ability to prevent shoplifting becomes a reality.  There is also a Jewel Lok option that works with loose jewelry such as bracelets, necklaces, etc.

 Alpha also has retail anti theft devices for other accessories as well.  The Eyewear tag is designed to place a hard tag on the arm of sunglasses.  They are adjustable so they will fit most sizes of sunglasses.  The 2 Alarm and 3 Alarm cable locks are great for handbags.  The 2 Alarm and 3 Alarm cable locks will sound the EAS system if not removed and both have an alarm built into the tag that will sound if tampered with.  The 3 Alarm tag works with the Nano Gate and if the product leaves the store will set off the alarm on the tag which helps make apprehensions easy.

 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 

Preventing Shoplifting: Is It Possible To Stop Or Manage?

Shoplifting prevention is one element to a successful loss prevention strategy.   Many loss prevention executives and employees have put years of thought into the most effective way to prevent shoplifting.  It is widely believed that a global approach to shortage is the most effective fluid method. 

 A global and encompassing loss prevention strategy should be used to effectively reduce shortage and safety issues from the business environment.  Shoplifting can attribute for over half of all shortage in stores that are poorly setup or have no loss prevention strategy in place.  To prevent shoplifting, a retailer can use a combination of loss prevention policies, employee education, personnel, and retail anti theft devices.   By instituting loss prevention policies, a retailer can attempt to prevent the loss from occurring.  These policies come in the form of cash controls, merchandise limits on the shelves and fitting rooms, and proper placement of sales staff.  Education of sales employees is also a key element component to prevent shoplifting.   By educating employees on how to prevent shoplifting, they can effectively deter most individuals. 

 When the above elements do not work to prevent shoplifting, a retailer can take a more aggressive approach.  Hiring and staffing loss prevention employees has proven to be a very effective approach to shortage reduction.  These employees are trained to identify behaviors that are indicative of shoplifters.  These employees identify and apprehend individuals engaged in shoplifting.  These employees are often assisted by retail anti theft devices.  These retail anti theft devices include:  CCTV systems, door locks, security article tags, and shoplifter databases.  These systems become increasingly important when Organized Retail Crime is an element in the business.

  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 

 

Keep Your Drills Under Wraps

I was in our local home improvement center last week when I started looking at new drills. I know from years of working in the home improvement industry that drills are a huge shrink item. They are easy to pawn or sell off at construction sites. In the metro market I worked at, they could even be traded on the street like currency, for drugs.

 This store, probably had the same problems I did, only they were doing something a little different to prevent shoplifting. They had the Spider Wrap in place.  Almost every one of their drills was now enrobed in this cross band retail anti theft device.

 The Spider Wrap is almost like a ribbon on a birthday present. Looping around both lengths of the box are cords that prevent the box from being opened. On more than one occasion, I have apprehended shoplifters who took the drills out of their cases when they tried to steal them. Having an alarm wrapped tight around the box sure makes a difference.

 The cords on the Spider Wrap connect to an alarm in the center.  If anyone tries to tamper with the alarm, it will sound. It’s a lot harder to come up with ways to steal a heavy, bulky power drill case than it is to hide the drill in a purse or coat. On top of the size issue, one would still risk being noticed when they try to leave a store with the Spider Wrap still intact creating an audible alarm.

 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 

Pick Them Out of the Crowd

Have you ever seen a shoplifter? Chances are, you probably have, but you may not have known it at the time. One of the first steps to prevent shoplifting in your store is to know what you are looking for.

 Is someone avoiding help from your associates? They may be trying to avoid detection. Are they lingering in back corners or aisles of the store, maybe taking a bit too long in the fitting room? Possibly waiting to work up the courage to conceal the item. How about picking up large quantities of merchandise, but not looking at sizes, or varying the colors? They may be looking to steal them and resell the items. In these cases Customer Service might be the only thing needed to prevent shoplifting from these small time thieves.

 Now, what if you see someone running his or her fingers over a price tag, but not actually looking at the price? What if they are looking more at the legs of a pair of jeans than the style or size? This shoplifter is more than likely looking for some sort of retail anti theft device. They might be informed enough to look for a hard tag on clothing, or a soft label hidden in a price tag.

 If this is the case, it may mean good news for you. Typically, this sort of shoplifter is looking for the retail anti theft device, because it means they have a higher chance of being caught, than if the merchandise does not have any tags. You have prepared yourself to prevent shoplifting by using these tools. The shoplifter will move on to an easier target.

 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 

 

What can retailers do to prevent shoplifting?

The crime of shoplifting occurs daily and industry analysts believe thieves recover nearly $25 million in stolen merchandise each day.  In order to prevent shoplifting retailers must be armed with the information and equipment to combat the rising shortage numbers.  Retail anti theft devices such as EAS systems, ink tags and lanyards prevent shoplifting through deterrence by creating an unattractive environment for shoplifting to fester and thrive.

 Loss prevention professionals believe good customer service is the best deterrent and will prevent shoplifting by enhancing the shopping experience.  Many of the nation’s leading retailers have the budget to employ small armies of undercover security personnel that will physically detain shoplifters but this approach to controlling shrinkage comes with significant liability considerations.

 A company I once worked for always trained its loss prevention personnel that deterrence is the best policy and to focus more on eliminating opportunities for shoplifters. Customer theft accounts for less than 40% of annual shrink and the rest comes from employee theft or administration lapses.  If you can control your merchandise you can control your shortage number.  Retail anti theft devices are easy to use and do not adversely impact your commitment to outstanding customer service because they can be removed conveniently during the checkout process. 

 Retailers are now learning to adapt to the emerging trends and many large department store chains have been redesigned to accommodate best practices for retail anti theft devices.  Most shoplifters are opportunists so reducing your merchandise’s exposure should be a priority and is a proven method in mitigating annual shortage. 

 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 New Gate Keepers

Retail anti theft devices are getting more advanced in their technology. It’s not just a case of “do you want a hard or soft tag for that item”. The various ways to prevent shoplifting through the use of retail anti theft devices are more sophisticated. There is more consideration on aesthetics and customer impact than ever before. Take the Nano Gate for example:

 The Nano Gate is an alternative to the bulky pedestals at the entrance doors. Those pedestals are a great solution to prevent shoplifting because they do send a clear message. It lets the would be thieves and customers feel like they are walking into a fortress by having to walk through the pedestals flanking every possible doorway. They are not always the most pleasing to the eye, and are more intimidating by design. Effective? Yes. Fashionable? No.

 Smaller retailers and boutique settings could benefit from the Nano Gates’ more compact size and less aggressive looking overall design. They are still highly effective deterrents by working in conjunction with hard and soft tags as well as the newer, sleeker looking retail anti theft devices like the Jewel Lok.

 The Jewel lok is a form of hard tag designed specifically for smaller items like jewelry. The U shaped clasp slips easily onto an item without the need to pierce through the merchandise. It is a visual deterrent to prevent shoplifting. Like its counterpart the Nano Gate, Jewel Loks are much more pleasing to the eye.

 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