retail theft prevention

Use Your Checkpoint Security Systems For More Than Shoplifting

January 31, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Checkpoint Security systems are an undisputed anti shoplifting tool in the war on shoplifters. But in addition to being an anti shoplifting tool you can get even more out of them. Consider the following items.

Employee theft. Merchandise with Checkpoint tags and labels can also be a deterrent to employee theft. As long as you control who has access to detachers or deactivation. This is where the key lock on the detacher also comes in handy. Deactivation that is tied into your POS so that an item can only be deactivated after the item is scanned will also be a deterrent. Most companies only allow employees to enter and exit from one door. If that door is covered with antennas then this closes off another way merchandise can be removed.

Another use is to tag items that you do not want to leave the store. Restroom keys, manager keys, even documents can be labeled. If you have items that sometimes go home with an employee such as a set of keys, the tag can be a reminder. It is not an issue of theft but if the item leaves it can create a nightmare for others.

How about tools or other store use items? Checkpoint tags with a flex string or lanyard will help remind someone that they have it in their possession and to put it back before they go home. What about an employee who is working on a display and is using store tools. He leaves for a little bit and does not secure the tools and a customer decides he wants that cordless drill or battery for himself.

What about store use items such as calculators or flashlights? A Checkpoint tag or Checkpoint label will solve that. Don’t forget other critical items such as pricing guns and the gun that puts the hangtags on clothing.

We have a limited supply of a Checkpoint tag that Checkpoint security systems no longer makes. It is a key tag. It looks just like a key ring tag. But it is a Checkpoint tag. We include them in our new customer welcome kits. Would you like one?

For more information about retail theft prevention , retail anti theft devices , Checkpoint security systems , anti shoplifting , Checkpoint tags or Checkpoint labels contact us at stop shoplifting . You can also visit our On-Line Store or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint labels, checkpoint security system, checkpoint security systems, Checkpoint tags, Retail Anti Theft Devices, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

The Best Way to Stop Shoplifting in Atlanta, Georgia

January 28, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

The Best Way to Stop Shoplifting in Atlanta, Georgia

Actually, there is no one best way to stop shoplifting in Atlanta or anywhere else. Whenever merchandise is put on display there will be shoplifters.

The best approach is to use a combination of anti shoplifting methods that are customized for your location, merchandise mix, and customer base. Although shoplifting is widespread, there are groups and types of merchandise that require extra attention.

Some of the more common retail theft prevention strategies are:

·   Plainclothes store detectives. Great for large businesses with the budget to support them, word gets out fast that shoplifters are being arrested frequently.
·   CCTV. A good deterrent, but much more useful if there is staff available to watch. Added value to disprove slip and fall claims.
·   Uniformed Police or Security Guards. Again a budget buster, but necessary in some areas where violence is a threat. More of a robbery deterrent.
·   Signs that indicate shoplifters will be prosecuted. May prevent some impulse thieves, may be a turn-off to some legitimate shoppers.
·   Locking merchandise in display cabinets. Pretty secure, but will it hurt sales, or take too much time to lock and unlock?
·   Arrangement of merchandise. Keep high theft items near a wrap stand, raise the cashier area for better viewing, and eliminate hidden areas. This is a low cost avenue to reduce theft.
·   Training staff in anti shoplifting policies and procedures? Do they no how to act or react if they see or suspect a shoplifter in your store? Another low cost high value activity.
·   Increase staffing when shoplifters are likely to hit. Opening, closing, and after school are prime times.
·   Staff awareness/customer service. Every customer should be greeted soon after entering the store, so they are aware that someone knows they are there.
·   Retail anti theft devices such as Checkpoint Security Systems. Checkpoint Security Systems are designed to detect merchandise that has active Checkpoint Security Tags attached and emit an alarm.

The store owner who wants to reduce or stop shoplifting at his place of business, should consider combining several of the methods that apply to his situation.

Need a partner to help stop shoplifting in Atlanta, Georgia or elsewhere? You can also visit our On-Line Store or call 770-426-0547 or click here.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, checkpoint security system, checkpoint security systems, Checkpoint security tags, Retail Anti Theft Devices, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

Checkpoint Security Tags…The Secret Weapon

January 27, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

A lot has been written about anti shoplifting and retail anti theft devices. But the most versatile tool in this war is Checkpoint security tags. Unlike acousto magnetic labels, which are about the size, shape and thickness of a piece of “chicklet” gum the Checkpoint labels are paper-thin.

They come in so many varieties that it is hard to keep up with them. Checkpoint security tags can be white, black, clear which allows a packages barcode to show through. They can be printed on with your own printed with barcodes, logos, pricing information and more. You can also stick your own label over the top of them.

As far as size, Checkpoint labels have a wide range of sizes. This ranges from the postage stamp size to a 1.5” x 1.5” size. And there are many in between. For example the very popular 710 label is 1.3” x 1.4”. There are two sizes of round labels and they fit very well on the bottom of bottles such as medicines. They also work very well on the bottom of small square boxes. The round shape means that the corners of a label do not hang over the edges.

Another great series of Checkpoint security tags is the 615. The 615-barcode label has not only a fake barcode but also a small box printed on it that allows another sticker to be applied such as a logo or price tag. This all goes to hiding the intent of the Checkpoint labels.

And, of course, in the arsenal of retail anti theft devices is the Checkpoint systems themselves. Checkpoint Systems latest tool is the Evolve system. As anti shoplifting goes this is the top of the pile. Evolve has so many features packed into it I will need to write a separate blog for that. But for now consider the following Evolve features: superior detection with new revolutionary electronics, people counting, alarm detection that can tell if a customer is entering or leaving the store.

For more information on retail anti theft devices or checkpoint systems or checkpoint security tags or checkpoint labels or retail theft prevention or stop shoplifting contact us at anti shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, checkpoint systems, Retail Anti Theft Devices, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

The Blitz: A Great Way to Stop Shoplifting

January 24, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

If you want to stop shoplifting in your establishment and send a powerful message at the same time I’ve found that a blitz is a great way to do that. Now, I’m not talking about suiting up in helmets and shoulder pads and laying a shoplifter out Ray Lewis style. (though God knows I’ve fantasized about doing just that on many occasions) A shoplifting blitz is when you concentrate a majority of your efforts and assets on a particular location for a set period of time.

For example, let’s say you have a particular location that has been taking a great deal of losses due to an increase in shoplifter traffic. That particular location normally employs 1, maybe 2, loss prevention associates at any given time. Bring in 2 or 3 more trained loss prevention professionals for about a week. Give them the necessary equipment and information on what the high-risk items are at that particular location and let them do what they do. What this does is overwhelm the shoplifters with numbers. They can no longer distract one associate while another robs you blind. Snatch and runs become a futile attempt because you have enough personnel to post someone discreetly at or near the exits.

Additionally, when you put that many loss prevention professionals in 1 place a healthy competition will naturally develop. Everyone wants to show that they’re the best. Plus, shoplifters talk. If you’re having a substantial problem it’s because that community has already deemed you an “easy mark”. When your efforts to stop shoplifting ramps up they’ll begin to talk about that too. Once enough crooks get caught they’ll figure out that you’re serious and find another retailer to frequent. If you’re having a problem try the blitz, it’s a great way to stop shoplifting in your establishment.

For more information about retail theft prevention or retail anti theft devices or checkpoint tags or checkpoint labels or checkpoint security system contact us at Stop Shoplifting. You can also visit our On-Line Store or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Checkpoint labels, checkpoint security system, Checkpoint tags, Retail Anti Theft Devices, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

A retailer’s battle between good and evil

January 19, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Early in my employment in retail theft prevention , I received an email detailing a tool an individual had used for shoplifting. Attached to the email was a picture, which the asset protection employees had lovingly labeled a “booster buggy.” It was a child’s stroller, and with a blanket over the front of it, it did not look suspicious at all. But if you lifted that blanket, the crafty shoplifters had built a box in the seat of the stroller, complete with foil lining, black tape on the outside, and a flip lid. It was used to conceal and walk out with quite a bit of our business’s merchandise.

If these shoplifters would only have put their creativity to work for good instead of evil, the world might be a better place. Unfortunately, because of crimes like this, retail prices are higher for the honest customers. Businesses must utilize the resources that are available to stop shoplifting in order to combat this “evil” that all business owners face.

Retail anti theft devices can aid in this battle against “evil”, by deterring those that intend to shoplift from you. Shoplifters want easy access to your merchandise and a quick get-away, and retail anti theft devices take away both of those opportunities. They are a wise resource to utilize on your anti shoplifting crusade.

Having an effective retail theft prevention program for your business is also a mighty weapon against shoplifting. Educated employees that provide good customer service, retail anti theft devices, key controls, closed circuit television, and a variety of other variables all can help stop shoplifting in your business.

With good retail theft prevention, the “evil” of shoplifting can be defeated in your business, allowing for “good” profits. Make your anti shoplifting program a priority for 2011 and enjoy a more profitable year.

For more information about retail theft prevention or stop shoplifting or retail anti theft devices or anti shoplifting contact us at stop shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, Retail Anti Theft Devices, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

Stop Shoplifting with Excellent Customer Service

January 18, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Stop Shoplifting with Excellent Customer Service

How does excellent customer service stop shoplifting in a retail store, or at least greatly minimize it? The following are not only great customer service tools, but also work as a factor of retail theft prevention.

What does a shoplifter NOT want when he comes into your shop? The answer is that he or she doesn’t want to be noticed or recognized. By offering excellent prompt service to all your customers, shoplifting losses can be reduced dramatically.

Acknowledge each guest as soon after he or she enters as possible. Speak to him and make eye contact, creating the impression that you recognize him and that you know who he is.

Shoplifters want privacy. Ask each customer browsing in your shop if you can be of assistance. Ask often. Legitimate customers appreciate it and shoplifters hate it. Again, eye contact with the guest makes the potential shoplifter uncomfortable and can stop shoplifting in your store. The less attention that he attracts, the more he likes it. Great customer service takes away what the shoplifter needs – the ability to get in and out of the store without being noticed and recognized, and the opportunity to be alone long enough to conceal and steal your merchandise. Paying attention to a potential shoplifter can actually turn a loss situation into a sale!

Of course another upside to genuinely excellent customer service is that it drives and increases sales, and keeps legitimate customers coming back again and again.

Excellent customer service = decreased losses and increased sales!

Remember – Stop shoplifting at your store through excellent customer service.

Want help to stop shoplifting at your business? Call 770-426-0547 or click here.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

Who Invented Shoplifting?

January 18, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Merchants have been trying to stop shoplifting probably since the first store keeper in prehistoric times put his merchandise on a rock display and turned his back on his first customer, then turned back around to find both the merchandise and his customer (the first shoplifter) missing. He then decided to watch each and every customer in his store, but as he added more and more merchandise, got more and more customers, this became impossible, so he hired the first plain clothes detective to keep watch over his goods.

After several customers had been clubbed and fed to the dinosaurs, he decided there must be a better way and started to consider ways to become the leader in retail theft prevention.

There had to be a way to allow his customers to see and feel the merchandise he had for sale, and to stop shoplifting, or at least keep it under control to maintain profitability.

Over the next several thousand years, various methods evolved that were designed to stop shoplifting: Improved customer service, CCTV, locking displays, employee awareness, store design, arresting prosecuting shoplifters and so on.

Finally, some engineers came up with retail anti theft devices that stand silently at the door until someone tries to exit the store with merchandise that has an active clothing security tag attached and the system begins to beep and draws attention to the shoplifter. Not only does this stop shoplifting, it deters shoplifters from coming in the door in the first place.

Now nothing is going to stop shoplifting entirely, but storeowners owe it to themselves to investigate a leader in the field of retail anti theft devices, Checkpoint Security Systems.

Although not as satisfying, it’s better than beating shoplifters over the head with a club.

To reduce your shoplifting losses call 770-426-0547 or click here.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint security system, checkpoint security systems, Retail Anti Theft Devices, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

Retail Theft Prevention

January 12, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Retail theft prevention is a difficult job which requires you to be on your toes at all times. Most shoplifters attempt to remain undetected while they conceal merchandise and quietly slip out of the door without anyone being the wiser. However, there are a percentage of shoplifters who are simply brazen criminals; they just grab stuff and walk out with it. These crooks rely on the gullibility and slow response time of sales clerks. Some will grab garments from racks close to the door and run out. This can be easily prevented by alternating the directions of hangers on the racks. This makes the hangers lock up when someone tries to remove too many of them at once.

Fitting rooms are a necessary convenience for your legitimate customers. However, they can be a dream for shoplifters. A critical part of retail theft prevention is to keep a watchful eye on your fitting rooms. A common technique, especially if your fitting rooms aren’t well monitored, is for the thief to steal garments by putting them on under her own clothes and wearing them out of the store. Others will just put the clothing on and walk out, leaving their own clothes behind.

The really brazen thieves simply walk out with large items. You can prevent this by making it unusual for legitimate customers to carry out their large purchases with a policy that all large items must be picked up at a location physically separate from the sales floor, or that employees take all large items out to customer’s cars. Many retailers place bright stickers on purchased large items. This at least makes it easier for employees to tell if the merchandise has been paid for or if it is being stolen.

Retail theft prevention requires everyone’s involvement, so make sure your associates are trained and knowledgeable in what to look for.

For more information about anti shoplifting or retail anti theft devices or stop shoplifting contact us Retail Theft Prevention or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, Retail Anti Theft Devices, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

Where are the best places for Checkpoint tags or Checkpoint labels? – Anti Shoplifting

January 10, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

This is another question that we get asked frequently. Placement is very important not only for theft but you must consider merchandising your good customers. Checkpoint tags and Checkpoint labels are the best in the industry. If you are to get your investment out of your checkpoint systems then you have to pay close attention to placement.

Let’s talk about your good customers first! If you place checkpoint tags on clothing in such a way that the customer is not able to try them the merchandise on or if it interferes with the customers visual impression you may lose the sale. If you place Checkpoint labels on product packaging in such a way that you cover up instructions, warning labels, expiration dates… then that customer may pass your products by. The great news is that you don’t have to. Checkpoint systems tag and label offerings can cover any situation.

Checkpoint tags – consider placement on shirts on the rear of the shirt at the collar seam or on a seam on the side under the arm. Do the same with pants and skirts. Place the tag on the back at rear seam below the belt line or on a side leg seam at the knee. Do not put checkpoint tags on a belt loop. The shoplifter will break the belt loop and fix it later. In these locations the customer will not see the checkpoint tags or will be inclined to ignore them.

If you would like a free Checkpoint systems tag placement chart please contact us. This chart has many other items on it and could be posted in the back room of your store.

Checkpoint labels – Wow Checkpoint systems has so many types of labels available it is too much to put in this blog. So I will discuss only a couple. Covering up important information on packaging could lead a customer to not purchase or damage the tag to see what’s under it. If they then do not purchase you have an unprotected product on the shelf.

Look at tag size, yes size does matter!!! In this case a smaller tag may be your best option. You would want to use a postage stamp label. It is the size of, well…a postage stamp. They come in plain, barcode and black. Black is great to hide on a liquor bottle or other dark colored packaging.

Another option is to use the new “Clear Poly” Checkpoint labels . This label has a see through center and is very low profile. You place the clear poly label directly over the UPC barcode. The label basically disappears. And your scanner reads the barcode directly through the label. These things are great!

If you would like a free sample of any Checkpoint labels contact us.

For more information on retail theft prevention or retail anti theft devices or checkpoint systems contact us at anti shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint labels, checkpoint systems, Checkpoint tags, Retail Anti Theft Devices, retail theft prevention

What dollar level should you tag and label?

January 7, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

This question comes up frequently. Your Checkpoint systems are very effective anti shoplifting devices. But you must use them in a well thought through, deliberate way. You should establish and write down what items you are going to put checkpoint labels and checkpoint tags on. Look at this plan once a month. Compare your employee’s feedback about what items seem to be shoplifted and what items you have protected. Then make changes.

1. Consider conducting a “cycle count” on an item or two that you are concerned with. A cycle count is simply doing a count of how many of one item you have on hand. Add in what you have replenished of that item. Then subtract what you have sold of that item. Your POS/cash register should help you with this last part. Even if you do not track items normally set it up to track this one item you are watching. Instruct your employees to ring that item up that way. This will tell you if you need to include that item in you’re anti shoplifting plan.

2. Set a dollar value threshold. For example if you sell items priced from $0.75 to $250 then you want to look at what items are cost effective to cover. If your margin on the $.075 item is 300% and the thefts have been low then it may not be a good candidate to place checkpoint tags or checkpoint labels on. But if that same item is a high theft item then the amount that you budget or feel is acceptable to absorb in loss may warrant protection.

Many retailers keep it simple and tag/label everything over a certain dollar amount such a $5.00. This approach is fine but could make your cost of labels higher that it could be. However, the trade off with tracking losses and the labor to do it may be worth it.

3. What merchandise items are hot right now? For example in Atlanta and other places in the US there are problems with “Blue Jeans Bandits”. These shoplifters come into a store and scoop up large quantities of higher end jeans and try to run out. In this case good quality hard tags or even Alpha 3 Alarm Hard Tags would be warranted.

Remember, just because you installed checkpoint systems does not mean you will stop shoplifting and the problem is solved. You must take ongoing action to keep the thieves out. Plan for what merchandise you want to use your checkpoint labels and checkpoint tags on. Then revisit this anti shoplifting plan monthly and make modifications. That keeps you on the offence not the defense!

For more information about retail theft prevention , checkpoint systems , checkpoint tags , checkpoint labels , stop shoplifting contact us at anti shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint labels, checkpoint systems, Checkpoint tags, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting