Checkpoint security tags fit into the profit puzzle

September 22, 2010 by Leave a Comment

The use of checkpoint security tags play an important role in the retail world other than protecting merchandise from theft.  The use of anti theft devices such as a checkpoint security system will significantly reduce retail theft and just as significantly if not more significantly boost profit margins.

Think about this if you are a retailer.  If you lose a $10 item, what is the effect that has?  Did you just lose $10?  Or if your net profit margin is 3% did you lose $7?  That is the thinking we hear from our clients when we first discuss this with them.

Think about this.  If the net margin on a $10 item is 3% then in order to produce $10 of profit to replace the stolen item you need to divide $10 by 3%.  That number is $333.33.  So if you lose $100 the sales required to replace that would be $3,333.33 and the numbers go from there.

According to the University Of Florida’s National Retail Security Survey large national retailers average about 2% net profit and lose around 2%.  These retailers typically have well managed Loss Prevention departments managing inventory and cash losses daily.

So an average retailer doing $1 mil will loose $20,000 if they have the same loss prevention program in place, most do not and lose double, triple, quadruple that and more.  Many do not really know what they are losing because they do not have programs in place to watch loss.

Back to boosting profits…you can easily cut your losses in half by using checkpoint security tags so let’s look at the effect on margin.  Go from a 5% loss to a 2.5% loss in a $1mil retail business that has a net margin of 3% before using checkpoint systems  anti shoplifting solutions then the $25,000 you saved bumps the net margin from 3% to 5.5% which is a 54% increase in net margin.

For more info on how you can boost profits by incorporating loss prevention solutions go to:  checkpoint security tags 

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Anti-Shoplifting Devices – How Do They Work?

September 22, 2010 by Leave a Comment

In recent years it has become even more important for small business owners to use anti shoplifting devices on their merchandise.
According to the National Learning and Resource Center 1 in 11 people are shoplifters in the United States.  That means there are 27 million people shoplifting in the US alone.  Shoplifters also say that they are only caught about 1 in 48 times they steal.  Even if they are caught they are only turned over to authorities about 50% of the time.   Imagine if your business has a loss of a $10 dollar item 48 times.  That is $480 dollars of your inventory down the drain!!

These statistics are why most retailers, especially clothing stores use anti shoplifting devices such as checkpoint security tags.  These devices are typically called Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems. Checkpoint tags are attached to the merchandise and a receiver for the tag somewhere at the doors.  If the tag is not deactivated or removed at the time of purchase then an alarm sounds alerting the store that the anti shoplifting device has been triggered.

Some of the technology today is extremely advanced. Checkpoint security tags can appear to be just another pricing tag so that the shoplifter may not even realize there is a security device on the article. Ink tags are another popular method.  These tags cannot be removed without damaging or destroying the article.  They have a great name for these; they are called “benefit denial tags”.

The good news is that the anti shoplifting devices in recent years have dropped the shoplifting rates about 60%.  It is still overwhelming to a small business however to be the victim of theft.

For information on anti shoplifting devices and prevention measures, contact us at anti shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547.

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Checkpoint Security Systems Tagging Procedure

September 21, 2010 by Leave a Comment

To aid you in tagging with your Checkpoint security system I have put together this condensed guide. These seem to be the most common issues that come up and can easily be made a part of your Checkpoint security system employee training.

Some checkpoint tags have a red dot, do not use these tags. Red dot tags did not pass Checkpoint quality control. Even though there may be a number of red dot tags on a roll there is always the correct amount of good tags on each roll.

  • Checkpoint tags should be placed as close as possible to the UPC (barcode).
  • Tag all merchandise consistently. This allows all employees including new employees to find checkpoint tags quickly.
  • All Checkpoint tags should be kept away from metal and foil. Checkpoint tags can be placed ¼” away from metal or foil items.
  • Never cover instructions or warning labels. Also think about your customer. If you put a checkpoint tag over information that the customer needs to make a decision about the product you will cause them frustration.

You should establish a policy and procedure for using checkpoint tags. You do not want the effectiveness of your checkpoint security system to drop off because employees make changes that are not in the best interests of the store.

Checkpoint security systems generally will reduce shoplifting a minimum of 70 percent if you and your staff use it wisely.

We strongly recommend that you have a formal training session with each employee. This can be accomplished in fifteen minutes. Train selected employees to be your Checkpoint security systems “auditors”. These employees should be not only the trainers but should spot check merchandise for compliance with your tagging policy and procedure.

These auditors can also inspect the checkpoint security systems on a routine basis. This takes only a few minuets. They should check all antennas and do not forget to inspect deactivation units at the POS.

For more information contact us at: checkpoint security systems or call 1.770.426.0547

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Checkpoint Labels boost profit margins

September 21, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Whether you are considering the installation of a Checkpoint security system or you have a system installed, you may want to take a look at how using Checkpoint labels can boost your profit margins.

It has been proven that shoplifters looking for an easy target to steal from will pass by stores that are protected with tough loss prevention systems.  The presence of a Checkpoint System at the front door tells the thief they are better off moving on to an unprotected store.  And the same is true for would be thieves in your store.  Protected merchandise is passed over for unprotected merchandise.  No retailers place a security tag on every piece of merchandise.  You have to know what you are losing and what you are okay with losing to properly protect your merchandise from theft.

So how does this translate into boosted profits?  Consider that your products that have checkpoint labels on them are valued at $15 like a music CD or a movie/ DVD.  And let’s say on that product you have a net margin of ten percent.  If you lose one $15 dollar item, did you lose $15?  Most will answer “no I lost $13.50 because that is what I paid.” The reality is you lost $150 because that is the amount of sales volume it will take to replace the $15 item.

Your current losses directly translate into your net margins.  Cut your losses in half and watch your net margin jump.  If you sell $1mil, have 5% in losses and a 2% net margin… cutting your loss sin half will double your margin.  This is very realistic and typical for retailers of this size.

To learn more about how to stop shoplifting visit: checkpoint labels 

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Training Is A Key Component In Atlanta Anti Shoplifting Programs

September 20, 2010 by Leave a Comment

As an LP professional and the former Director of Loss Prevention for several large companies I figured out pretty quickly that if the only solution I had to an anti shoplifting program was apprehension that I would not be around long.

Why? It goes back to the old saying: “Once the horse is out of the barn…” Prevention is the solution to any anti shoplifting program. To get there we have to look at what is the most cost effective approach…Training. By training yourself and your staff you will deter shoplifting no mater which way you take you’re anti shoplifting program.

Retail theft in the form of shoplifting is dependent on your ability to convince the shoplifter to go elsewhere. Training your employees in the art of using customer service as an anti shoplifting tool is a cost effective approach. Shoplifters hate attention so let’s give them a lot of it. In fact once an employee is trained to actually spot a shoplifter they can go into the customer service attack mode. Customer service them to death!

Of course people who are shoplifting come in many types. Training will help even your newest employee to become a retail theft deterrence very quickly. In most cases once you have a core of people trained they can then train others.

What should comprise a great anti shoplifting training program? There should be amongst other topics training on: How to identify a person who is  shoplifting. How shoplifters steal, how to shut down the shoplifter and actually frustrate them (that way they go elsewhere, maybe your competitor) and apprehension (if necessary).

Train your people correctly and reinforce the training in an ongoing manner and you will see your retail theft losses drop like a stone.

For more information: anti shoplifting training in Atlanta or call 1.770.426.0547

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Checkpoint Systems And Habitual Shoplifters

September 18, 2010 by Leave a Comment

A study that I saw some time back said that habitual shoplifters, even after they have been caught, will return to the same store to steal again because the chance of being caught is only 2% unless you have an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) system like Checkpoint Systems.

Wow! Even when they are caught they are going to hit you again because you do not have protection. I understand this because the time you caught them was probably not the first time they were shoplifting in your store.

The only way to shut them down cost effectively is with an EAS system. When I was a Director of Loss Prevention I saw immediate results when we would role out Checkpoint systems in our stores. The shoplifters simply went somewhere else. Shoplifting was no longer a given in our stores. We made it much more difficult. People who are involved in shoplifting are lazy for the most part. They would rather steal than work. Make it difficult and they will take the path of least resistance.

This also allowed us to target specific merchandise that the shoplifting groups would be after. If we noticed an increase in shoplifting for an item we would apply checkpoint tags to that item and the theft would stop.

Checkpoint tags and labels can be applied to almost any merchandise.  Checkpoint systems labels are disguised in a number of ways and are paper thin. The other systems tags are simple for a person who is  shoplifting to spot and remove. Another trick is to put two checkpoint tags in different places on particularly hot merchandise.

If you want to keep shoplifting losses down you will have to be proactive and make your store an uncomfortable place for a shoplifter to be. But the trick is to create this environment while your good customers do not feel it at all. Paying close attention to your customers creates a positive customer service experience. Greet them when they walk in, follow up with them on the sales floor and make sure that they can reach you easily. Shoplifters hate this very concept!

For more information contact us at: Checkpoint Systems or call 1.770.426.0547

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Checkpoint security system offers bonus benefits

September 17, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Installing a checkpoint security system at the entry and exit doors of your retail store will deliver much more that a loud beep when protected merchandise that has not been paid for approaches the door.  The simple presence of the system, since with a quick look in from the outside you can see the checkpoint system antennas, will cause would be shoplifters to think twice about hitting the store.  Studies show that shoplifters will pass by protected stores for one that is unprotected and easier to steal from.  Less shoplifting traffic will improve overall traffic quality and customer comfort.

A bonus benefit checkpoint security system users realize that they usually don’t expect is an increase in sales volume.  Price Waterhouse Coopers recently studied the effect of installing a system measuring 98 different product sku’s over a period of fourteen weeks.  They recorded an increase in sales volume of just under 10%.  Sales volume will naturally go up after installing a checkpoint security system because less theft means more inventory available for sale.  When inventory is stolen off of the sales floor the impact is not just cost of the lost product it is the lost sale which sends customer to other stores to find the product they want.

To stop shoplifting and boost sales go to: checkpoint security system

 

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Why This Southern Girl is Anti-Shoplifting

September 16, 2010 by Leave a Comment

When I was six years old, my grandmother, her name was Irene by the way, made me a true anti shoplifting fanatic.  How you might ask? Well, let me tell you a story………

When I was six years old there was a sewing store that Irene and I used to frequent.  Fabric and cloth stores were much more prevalent in the 1960’s and 1970’s than they are now, and they carried a variety of things that would peak your interest, like buttons.  This place had thousands of buttons in all different shapes and sizes.  You should be beginning to see where I’m going with this story.

One type of button especially caught my eye; it was pearl with a beautiful rose painted on it in pink.  Well, I decided I needed it.  But I didn’t have any money, being 6 years old and all.  So I TOOK it.  Yep, I became a shoplifter.  Well of course when sweet Irene found out, not only did I have to take it back and apologize, but I got the spanking of my life! And bam, instantly I became extremely anti shoplifting. Corporal punishment tends to make believers out of the best of us.

All kinds of people are shoplifting.  Celebrities do it mostly because their personalities lend themselves that they are convinced they will not be caught, or so psychology tells us.  To most people, getting something for nothing is like giving themselves a reward.  There is also a “high” associated with getting away with the theft.

This need to take things in American has led to the development of such anti shoplifting devices as surveillance cameras, security tags on clothing, ink tags on clothing and security guards posted on exits and entrances of department stores.

So are you wondering if I ever got my button?  As a matter of fact my grandmother bought it for me a few months later.  I still have it to this day.  I guess she figured I had learned my lesson.

Do you need help in your small business developing an anti shoplifting program?  Contact us at anti shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547.

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Why Checkpoint Tags Over The Imported Knockoffs?

September 15, 2010 by Leave a Comment

We get this question from time to time. Genuine checkpoint security tags have a considerable advantage over the knockoffs out there. We hear tales of sales people saying that the tags they have perform as well as Checkpoint tags . Lets clear up some of the myths:

Genuine Checkpoint security tags ARE very different in deactivation. Knock offs in as much as 30% of the time will re-activate on their own after they have been deactivated at the POS and the customer exit. This is because they are cheaply made. Embarrassing and you do not need the customer hassle. Genuine checkpoint tags deactivate each time, every time period.

Genuine checkpoint tags have an aggressive adhesive. They will not fall off even if they have been on the merchandise for some time. This makes it more difficult for the person shoplifting to detect the tag and remove it easily.

Genuine checkpoint security tags do not fade. Discolored tags look terrible and degrade the look and appeal of your merchandise. Knock offs tend to fad or discolor quickly.

Genuine checkpoint tags come with 2000 to a roll or tray that are guaranteed to work if applied properly. The checkpoint security tags that did not pass QC are marked with a red dot. Do not use them. There are 2000+ good labels (non red dot) on each roll or tray.

Genuine checkpoint security tags can only be purchased from a Checkpoint Dealer. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc is a Gold level Dealer and we guarantee the lowest price on your new genuine checkpoint tags.

Do not allow shoplifting or a slick salesman cause you any more losses. Shoplifting needs serious solutions provided by serious companies.

For more information contact us at checkpoint security systems or call 1.770.426.0547

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Anti Theft Devices That Make A Difference In Shoplifting

September 13, 2010 by Leave a Comment

If you are looking for an immediate impact on your retail theft shoplifting problems you want to attack it with anti theft devices head on. To do this you must understand the difference between active and passive systems.

An example of a passive system is Closed Circuit TV (CCTV). Retailers install CCTV cameras through out the store. The cameras are recording on a DVR. The manager may even have a monitor in their office. But unless the cameras are watched at all time the system is passive. It is for after the fact. Some who is shoplifting knows this. They will even test it by concealing an item, move to another location and dump the item to see if anyone reacts. If not, the next time they come in the shoplifting begins.

An example of active anti theft devices is an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) system such as Checkpoint security systems. Checkpoint tags are placed on merchandise and when someone who is shoplifting attempts to steal tagged merchandise the Checkpoint security systems at the customer doors alarm. Even better than this when someone who is shoplifting sees an EAS system they most likely will simply go elsewhere like your unprotected competitor.

Why is this? It is because an EAS system is active and “watching” all the time. The Checkpoint security tags are always on the merchandise 24/7. They cannot be removed without staff intervention. As long as the retailer keeps the Checkpoint security systems in good working order they are always guarding the merchandise that is tagged.

Other anti theft devices could include glass cabinets or other locking devices to lock up merchandise. That is not as desirable since it does not allow the customers to handle merchandise and then decide at their own pace. In addition customers become frustrated quickly when staff is not right there to unlock merchandise.

Retail theft is tough enough to control without having the correct tools. Checkpoint tags on your merchandise keep your profits on your bottom line.

For more information contact us at retail theft or call 1.770.426.0547

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