shoplifting — Page 34

Retail Theft: The Scourge Of Business

September 10, 2010 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Shoplifters and employees that steal are about the lowest forms of life. They cause retail businesses billions of dollars in retail theft. There are several entire industries devoted to anti shoplifting and employee theft. Still these people cause us headaches. As a former Director of Loss Prevention for several major companies I have found that much of the problem of anti shoplifting and employee theft falls with the retailers themselves.

Theses types of retail theft must be attacked daily. You cannot let your guard down. You must have loss prevention program than focuses on prevention. Take shoplifting as an example. Anti shoplifting programs such as Checkpoint security tags do little if the employees are not supporting the program. Seek out employees that are enthusiastic about prevention and their jobs. Use incentives such as bonuses or contests. Make those employees the core of your retail theft prevention effort. If they are into it then others will come along.

One of the key issues that retailers must keep in the forefront of their over all plan is training. Training that is focused on prevention pays dividends beyond just shoplifting prevention. One of the key prevention tactics in anti shoplifting is customer service. Shoplifters hate customer service. They want to blend into your “normal” customer base. They do not want to stand out in any way. If your employees emphasize customer contact and follow up this in itself will shut off a portion of your retail theft. This in turn benefits your overall sales because your good customers like the attention. To stop more hard-core shoplifters you need to practice stronger anti shoplifting techniques.

Another area that is often overlooked is the use of a tag alarm system such as Checkpoint security tags. Again, it goes back to training and management’s enforcement. How many times have you see a tag alarm go off at the front door and the employee simply waves the customer through? Do you think that this is company policy? Very unlikely. The employee is thinking that they just rang up the customer. They know that they got everything the customer put on the POS. So it must just be the Checkpoint security tags that did not get deactivated right? Wrong, what the employee did not think about is the item that the “customer” had concealed on their person. The tag alarm caught it, the employee didn’t. Training, training and more training. Then hold employees to the standard!

For more information: shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint security tags, retail theft, shoplifting, tag alarm

Shoplifting And Pond Scum – Both can be controlled!

September 8, 2010 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Shoplifting is just a fact of retail life, kind of like the “worlds oldest profession”. It is not going to go away. And if you are naïve enough to think that it will not happen to you then don’t read any further since you won’t be in business much longer. But if you are a retailer you understand that shoplifters are like pond scum, it stinks and is a distraction from the beautiful environment you have created.

The key to preventing shoplifting is no different than any other business problem. You have to control it and minimize the distraction so you can stay focused on what is really important, selling and making a profit. This can be achieved by using an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) system. And as huge coincidence we happen to be able to sell you a checkpoint security system.

But getting back to the issue. An EAS system is a proactive system. Many retailers are under the impression that if they put a camera system (OK, we sell those also) in that this will deter shoplifters. Camera systems are passive. Unless you are watching it live all the time it will not be effective. In addition the cost to cover every place in the store where a shoplifter may hit you is in most cases cost prohibitive.

Merchandise is tagged or labeled when the shoplifter attempts to steal the item they trip the sensors at the front of the store alerting store staff. The product stays tagged at all times until your people remove or deactivate it. Its proactive, 24/7. No video to watch or review. Shoplifters know what the systems look like and how they work. In most cases they just simply go elsewhere (like your competitor who isn’t protected).

Again, the key is to do this in the most profitable way possible. You have enough to do every day. I guess you can sum it up this way; a checkpoint security system is like having shoplifting prevention on autopilot.

For more information: checkpoint security system or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint security system, shoplifting

Checkpoint labels available in printable price tag form

September 7, 2010 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Retailers looking to cut labor time and increase loss prevention measures are moving towards printable checkpoint labels. If you are a retailer using checkpoint systems to stop shoplifting problems and you are currently labeling your merchandise you should take a look at your options with checkpoint labels. Checkpoint systems offers a variety of printable labels both in thermal transfer and direct transfer media.

A thermal transfer label will receive ink from a ribbon in the printer. This method is preferable due to a couple factors. The print shows up much better and the labels do not discolor like the direct transfer labels. Direct transfer labels are coated with a material that reacts through a static electricity type process to make the coating generate an image. There are no ink ribbons in this type which may seem to be a benefit; however without the ink the image produced is less prominent and the labels can fade as well as discolor due to their nature.

Aside from thermal transfer or direct transfer checkpoint labels you can choose size of label. There are two that are most popular, the checkpoint 410 and the checkpoint 615. The 410 is 1.5″ X 1.5″ and the 615 is 1.125″ X 2.25″.

The labels can also be purchased pre printed with your choice of printing on them. This offers a great disguise such as “Great Buy” or “Sale” etc… You can even get your logo printed on them.

For more information go to: checkpoint labels

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Checkpoint labels, checkpoint systems, shoplifting

Newer small option for Checkpoint tags

September 7, 2010 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Checkpoint systems is now offering a small option in its line of checkpoint tags. The “pencil tag” is checkpoint systems smallest anti theft tag measuring .5″ x 2.2″. Shown below with optional lanyard:

Also available in grey:

These checkpoint tags are small enough for very small merchandise such as bikinis, shoes, hats and accessories. They offer security without being obtrusive allowing for better merchandise visibility and display-ability.

These and other checkpoint security tags are held in place with pins

Inside of the checkpoint tags are clutches that grab the pin locking it into place and they can not be pulled out. To detach the pins a special detacher must be used. This detacher is mounted to the cash wrap and allows the cashier to quickly and easily remove the security tags to be re used on other merchandise.

There are several checkpoint tags available that come in many shapes and sizes and colors. They can be used with pins only or also with a lanyard of varying lengths for looping the security tag through or onto merchandise that can not be pinned.

If you have a checkpoint security system the key is to always use genuine checkpoint tags and labels. There are cheaper copies out there mostly from Asia and there are several issues with the copy cat products. The copies can be easily broken open at the seams due to cheap manufacturing, the have a high failure to alarm rate and the copycat labels will both not deactivate but also reactivate at a 15% to 25% rate. This is a huge hassle since failed labels will cause staff to stop and address the alarms that are not shoplifting issues.

For more information visit: checkpoint tags

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint security system, Checkpoint security tags, checkpoint systems, Checkpoint tags, shoplifting

Alarm…Alarm Checkpoint Security System Alarm…Now what?

August 31, 2010 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

OK, your checkpoint security system at the front door goes into alarm. A customer that just left the point of sale is there with a package. They have stopped and are looking back at you. What do you do now?

How many time have you seen this happen and the sales clerk just waves the customer on? That is the worst thing that can happen. Several things have happened. You have allowed an employee to completely circumvent your anti shoplifting program. You have also sent a message to your customers that your people are not professional. And worst of all you tell shoplifters that they can defeat your checkpoint security system.

A lack of training and enforcement of that training is primarily at fault. Installing the system and believing that your shoplifting problems are over is short sighted. Your employees must know how to handle a checkpoint security system alarm properly and do it every time. Otherwise a person who is shoplifting in your store will simply view it as an inconvenience and create a situation where they can simply cause an alarm and be waved on.

Training is simple: Provide good customer service! Teach your employees that they are not to be afraid to approach a customer/alarm. Make a clear friendly statement like “excuse me sir we must have forgotten to remove or deactivate an inventory control device on your purchase. Let me take care of that for you”.

Anti theft devices like a checkpoint security system will tell you if a tag is present but your employees must resolve the situation. Check the packages for tags and labels. The easiest way is for the employee to ask the customer for their package, the employee then passes the package through the antennas themselves. They should then locate the checkpoint security tags and resolve the situation. If no tags are found in the package ask the customer to walk through the checkpoint security system antennas with out the package. If there is an alarm then again your stores training should tell them what to do next.

Want more information about anti theft devices or shoplifting? Contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, anti-theft devices, checkpoint security system, Checkpoint security tags, shoplifting

Realistic results from a Checkpoint Security System

August 30, 2010 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

If you are experiencing inventory loss through shoplifting, you have probably considered installing a checkpoint security system or similar product. You may have asked yourself whether the investment is worth it wondering what the result would be.

checkpoint security systems corporate head quarters called in third party experts Price Waterhouse Coopers to conduct a study for a major supermarket chain. Their findings are very interesting, here are a few tidbits…

Four locations tested, 98 sku’s in test

Four weeks pre checkpoint security system installation observation

10 weeks post checkpoint security system installation observation

Overall shrinkage on the 98 sku’s tested averaged out to a 69.79% reduction in shrinkage!

Since the shrinkage was reduced profits also increased for two reasons, first there is more product available to sell if not stolen and second less losses obviously means the cost of goods does not have to be recovered or absorbed into profits.

This resulted in a net increase in sales of 9.2%.

So with a checkpoint security system installed the retailer not only lost less product due to theft they actually increased sales by having more product on the shelf for buyers. The system had an average ROI of between 6 to 9 months. Keep in mind supermarkets have very low net margins, usually below 2% so getting a ROI that quickly is significant.

To explore the type of results you could expect go to: checkpoint security system

Contact Loss Prevention Systems for a consultation today.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint security system, checkpoint security systems, shoplifting

Checkpoint Labels great primary and secondary lines of defense

August 29, 2010 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Those who use a checkpoint security system may think of checkpoint labels as a primary line of defense against shoplifting but often overlook the secondary protection possibilities. They offer many styles and shapes as seen below:

They are often used as care labels, warning labels, sale info, store info and can be printed as price tags.

There are custom solutions designed for food, health and beauty, drugstore and pharmacy, apparel, electronics and more. This takes the guess work out of what label to choose for any application.

But few users are taking advantage of the secondary line of defense possibilities. If you are using a checkpoint security system and only using hard tags (re-usable rigid tags that are pinned or hung from merchandise), you may want to consider adding checkpoint labels if nothing else as a secondary line of defense.

By applying a hidden label in or on your merchandise in addition to a hard tag you are protecting yourself against the more professional shoplifters who may be able to remove the hard tag you are using. These hidden checkpoint labels will set off your checkpoint security system when the product approaches the exit surprising the thief who thought they had the system beat. And the labels are very inexpensive to use, just a few cents each.

To learn more go here: checkpoint labels

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Checkpoint labels, checkpoint security system, shoplifting

Handling Customer Alarms of a Checkpoint Security Systems

August 27, 2010 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

What do you do if a customer alarms your checkpoint security systems. Follow the steps below:

Approach the customer and in a friendly manner state “Excuse me, we may not have checked out your purchase properly. Please step back into the store, and we’ll get that taken care of.”
Ask for the customer’s bag – never grab it.
Walk purchase through the checkpoint security systems antennas/ pedestals to verify alarm.
Check merchandise against receipt.
If merchandise all checks out – pass the items over the deactivation pad again.
If there is merchandise that was not purchased – ask the customer if they would like to purchase it at this time.
purchased – ask customer if they would
like to purchase it at this time.

Another way to remember this process when approaching a customer is to use the “vowels” of alarm response:

A Address the customer. “Excuse me sir/madam,”

E Explain what happened. “…We seemed to have failed to deactivate an inventory control label from your merchandise…”

I Invite the customer back into the store…Would you mind stepping back inside the store with me so I may assist you…”

O Offer an apology. “…I am very sorry for this inconvenience.”

U Understand what alarmed the system.

Training, common sense and your checkpoint security systems will reduce shoplifting substantially.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: checkpoint security system, checkpoint security systems, shoplifting

Checkpoint Systems leads the anti shoplifting technology market

August 27, 2010 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Checkpoint Systems out of New Jersey is the world’s leading manufacturer of Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems helping retailers all over the globe reduce retail theft and increase profits.

The reason lies in the technology. Checkpoint systems are based on radio frequency (RF) vs. the older accousto magnetic (AM) technology used by Tyco’s Sensormatic systems. The RF system offers multiple advantages, one of the most used is the virtually unlimited use of labels.

Many retailers buy blank labels and print their pricing information directly on the checkpoint labels. This reduces labor and increases security at the same time.

Checkpoint systems labels can be custom printed in bulk to include logo art, safety instruction or just about anything you could want, which disguises the security tag.

RF technology is the leading technology in retail inventory management as well with the increasing use of RFID. Retailers are currently using RFID to scan/ read product as it enters the dock and it immediately gets logged into inventory. The technology exists to read the RF labels on products while on the shelf which will allow retailers to do instant store wide inventory or automate ordering based on shelf stock.

Checkpoint systems also can integrate into POS systems for various benefits, one being only deactivating labels that are actually scanned into the register. This eliminates thieves running merchandise over an unoccupied counter to deactivate a labels and steal the product.

To learn more go to checkpoint systems

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

Anti Theft Devices Boost Profits and Keep Shoplifters Out

August 26, 2010 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

It is a proven fact that installing anti theft devices in retail applications will deter shoplifters sending them on to unprotected stores. Retailers frustrated by theft often overlook how less inventory loss translates to more profits. Lost inventory ends up affecting operating costs. Just stating the obvious, higher costs means lower profits. Lower costs mean higher profits. You can make more money without having to sell more product.

The most effective solution that keeps the riff raff out of store is the installation of an Electronic Article Surveillance (or EAS) system. Checkpoint security systems is the market leader in EAS systems. The system includes installing pedestal mounted antennas at the entry/ exit ways. These antennas are visible from just outside the door so shoplifters scoping out a potential target can see them before entering the store, and at that time will move on to another target.

The presence of anti shoplifting technology such as checkpoint security tags on clothes and merchandise in the store will deter the amateur shoplifter and the impulse shoplifter from stealing. The checkpoint security tags are detected by the antennas at the doorways and will set off a loud alarm and flashing light alerting staff to attend to the situation.

The tag alarm on merchandise can only be removed by a specific tool that is mounted behind the cash out counter. The tag alarm is highly visible and is a great visual deterrent.

To learn more about checkpoint security systems anti shoplifting solutions visit here: anti theft devices or contact: Loss Prevention Systems, Inc., a national installation company.

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, anti-theft devices, checkpoint security system, checkpoint security systems, Checkpoint security tags, shoplifting, tag alarm