Avoiding Spider Bites

April 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment

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

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Securing your removal keys is a no-brainer

April 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment

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 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

The low impact way to prevent shoplifting

April 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment

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

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Retail Anti-Theft Devices: Technology For A Real Problem

March 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Shoplifting or theft is as old as the marketplace.  For many years retailers worked with limited technology to address the issue, but today is a new day.  The loss prevention industry has long sought for new technology to provide an edge against shoplifting.  Recently, the focus has been on retail anti-theft devices as a means to prevent shoplifting.  Currently, there are many retail anti-theft devices on the markets, some examples are:  2 Alarm, 3 Alarm, Jewel Lok, Nano Gate, Shark Tag, and Spider Wrap.

 Each of these tools has their place in the retail environment.  The 2 Alarm and the 3 Alarm security tags is a flexible article security tag.  It can be used for many different applications such as:  Clothing security, merchandise security and most of all to prevent shoplifting.  The 2 Alarm and 3 Alarm tags use RF or EAS technology to notify the store’s personnel in the event that merchandise is taken from the store.  These tags work best with merchandise that can be pinned.  The Jewel Lok is a small security tag.  The Jewel Lok is designed to work to secure your high priced jewelry.  The Jewel Lok works on the same principal as the 2 Alarm and 3 Alarm, but in a smaller package.  These devices are designed to prevent shoplifting

 The shark tag and Spider Wrap are newer products to hit the marketplace.  The Shark tag is used to prevent loses that can occur from return fraud.  The Shark Tag is a non EAS/RF retail anti theft device.  It is attached to merchandise and easily removed by cutting.  This allows the retailer to see if the merchandise has been worn.  While not designed to prevent shoplifting, the retailer can then deny the return of unsellable merchandise.  Spider Wrap is used for securing merchandise packaged within boxes.  The Spider Wrap retail anti-theft device is a great tool for “tagging” these difficult to control items. 

 All of the above mentioned retail anti-theft devices could be partnered with the Nano Gate.  The Nano Gate is a device that is placed on the exit/entrance of an area that needs to be secure and not have your product in the area.  I’ve worked in the loss prevention industry for a number of years and it’s my belief that it is important to invest in retail anti theft devices for the health of any 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 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Nano Gates are no use without tags!

March 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The other day I was in a store in a different part of the district that had not reported any tagging audits in over four months.  It just so happened that at that same point in history that store’s Loss Prevention department had been dissolved due to budget cuts, leaving all Loss Prevention duties in the hands of the store manager and his assistant managers.  Unfortunately they weren’t all that knowledgeable, or bright, when it came to enforcing and adhering to LP practices.

I was there with a team of other LP associates to perform a sweep of the property and find everything that was being done incorrectly so that it could be corrected and to simultaneously instruct store management as to how to perform their required duties.  While there were a few major issues, such as no employee bag checks or failure to review CCTV footage, the biggest issue was found in the realm of what I was assigned to look for.

There wasn’t a single retail anti theft device in place, anywhere.  Not a one 2 Alarm or 3 Alarm tag was in place.  Not even a Spider Wrap haphazardly attached to a bulk item.

We were stunned.

This was a store that had a fully functional Nano Gate system at all of the entrances, but that was of course useless without any retail anti theft devices to set it off.  When asked how they expected the Nano Gates to function, the store manager thought that all products arrived in store with security devices hidden inside them.

At this point you may apply palm to face in frustration.

As for the store supply of retail anti theft devices; we found ALL OF THEM tucked away in a stock room in boxes that clearly indicated what they were.

 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 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

Retail Anti-Theft Devices: Technology For A Real Problem

March 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Shoplifting or theft is as old as the marketplace.  For many years retailers worked with limited technology to address the issue, but today is a new day.  The loss prevention industry has long sought for new technology to provide an edge against shoplifting.  Recently, the focus has been on retail anti-theft devices as a means to prevent shoplifting.  Currently, there are many retail anti-theft devices on the markets, some examples are:  2 Alarm, 3 Alarm, Jewel Lok, Nano Gate, Shark Tag, and Spider Wrap.

Each of these tools has their place in the retail environment.  The 2 Alarm and the 3 Alarm security tags is a flexible article security tag.  It can be used for many different applications such as:  Clothing security, merchandise security and most of all to prevent shoplifting.  The 2 Alarm and 3 Alarm tags use RF or EAS technology to notify the store’s personnel in the event that merchandise is taken from the store.  These tags work best with merchandise that can be pinned.  The Jewel Lok is a small security tag.  The Jewel Lok is designed to work to secure your high priced jewelry.  The Jewel Lok works on the same principal as the 2 Alarm and 3 Alarm, but in a smaller package.  These devices are designed to prevent shoplifting

The shark tag and Spider Wrap are newer products to hit the marketplace.  The Shark tag is used to prevent loses that can occur from return fraud.  The Shark Tag is a non EAS/RF retail anti theft device.  It is attached to merchandise and easily removed by cutting.  This allows the retailer to see if the merchandise has been worn.  While not designed to prevent shoplifting, the retailer can then deny the return of unsellable merchandise.  Spider Wrap is used for securing merchandise packaged within boxes.  The Spider Wrap retail anti-theft device is a great tool for “tagging” these difficult to control items. 

All of the above mentioned retail anti-theft devices could be partnered with the Nano Gate.  The Nano Gate is a device that is placed on the exit/entrance of an area that needs to be secure and not have your product in the area.  I’ve worked in the loss prevention industry for a number of years and it’s my belief that it is important to invest in retail anti theft devices for the health of any 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 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Reactionary Protection

March 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment

We don’t always know what items are going to be the next hot theft item or what merchandise we are going to need to focus on to prevent shoplifting next. Sometimes it takes a few losses to realize how desirable something has become to a shoplifter. The best that we can do before theft becomes noticeable is to protect our most expensive merchandise with a Spider Wrap, Jewel Lok, Shark Tag, or one of the many other retail anti theft devices that are available on the market.

When deciding what to spider wrap after assessing price points, my typical strategy is to focus on things that are easy to steal and easy to sell. Any high dollar item with packaging that has a handle shoots straight to the top of my spider wrap priority list. High dollar small or easy to conceal items are typically first on my spider wrap list as well. Sometimes browsing local resale shops or online resale websites can help to identify what merchandise is being targeted.

When determining what merchandise to shark tag, I will typically tag merchandise seasonally or as I am noticing trends in used merchandise returns on specific types of merchandise. The most common time that we utilize a shark tag is during school dance seasons such as prom or homecoming. Affixing a shark tag to all high dollar dresses helps to prevent people from purchasing and using the item for their big event and then returning afterward. We will also use a shark tag on our leather coats to prevent seasonal wearers who purchase an expensive coat at the beginning of the season and return it once the cold season is over.

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 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Spider Wraps help defend a web of deceit.

February 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Have you ever noticed empty holes on your shelf, but your inventory system says you should have the product?  Have you ever found empty boxes in back corners of the store?  Theft and loss is a major part of the retail industry.  We all face theft and we all work hard to prevent shoplifting.  In most cases we use some type of retail anti theft devices to help prevent shoplifting.  Guess what … it still happens.  So what do you do when traditional methods to prevent shoplifting stop working???

 One suggestion is to check out products from Alpha Security.  One top product that has paid huge dividends in my company is the Spider Wrap.  Unlike traditional retail anti theft devices the Spider Wrap completely encompasses the product.  I can’t tell you how many times I have had shoplifters peel EAS labels off of my boxed products and then steal them anyway.  The Spider Wrap eliminates this by using a wire to cross all 4 sides of the box and hold a hard tag in place.  This cannot be simply removed.  

Another great function of the Spider Wrap is the built in alarm.  If a would-be shoplifter tries to cut the wire then the alarm sounds and draws immediate attention to that person and associates can react while he/she is still in the store versus waiting until they are running out the door and it’s too late.  Additionally, if you add the Nano Gate to your system then if a shoplifter tries to walk out with protected items then the Nano Gate will set off the sensor alarm on the product.  It is easy to explain why a door alarm is going off; it is much harder to explain why your pants or bag are alarming.  The Nano Gate and Spider Wrap are a great solution to prevent shoplifting when traditional methods fail.

 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

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Spider Wrapping to stall shoplifters

February 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment

It’s odd looking, a little cumbersome, and makes funny loud noises if mishandled.  I speak, of course, of Spider Wraps.  They are retail anti theft devices specifically designed to prevent shoplifting of larger, bulk items.  In my store Spider Wraps can be found protecting things such things as televisions, power tools, and vacuum cleaners.  It takes a bit of effort ensuring the floor staff properly applies them where they are required but it is simply part of the job facilitating such loss prevention policy.  What good are retail anti theft devices if they aren’t being used in a great enough quantity?

A Nano Gate is also needed at the entry point of your store to provide your Spider Wraps with a secondary alarm system.  While the units do possess self-contained alarms which sound when they are tampered with (like when someone cuts one of the cords without disabling the alarm) they won’t do anything if someone walks out of the store with a Spider Wrapped product but no Nano Gate to trigger the secondary alarm.  Of course, those in the know have their methods of disabling or removing the units, but such methods are messy and time consuming, not to mention time consuming.  That is how they prevent shoplifting usually.  Most thieves will bypass a bulky product that is Spider Wrapped because they know how noticeable such an action would be.  While other retail anti theft devices are a little less conspicuous (like the 2 Alarm or 3 Alarm systems or Shark Tags and Jewel Locks) they are mostly meant for different applications.  That doesn’t mean they don’t have their uses or aren’t as effective, but they wouldn’t make quite the same impact for protecting large items.

 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 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Cops and Robbers 2.0

February 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Growing up, my favorite game to play with my neighborhood friends was cops and robbers, and I always chose the role of the “good guys.” And whatever scenario we were acting out that day, I never let my robber playmates get away without sending them to jail in my playhouse. Throughout my Loss Prevention career, I have taken on the same “us vs. them” mentality towards preventing theft because my objective is in direct conflict with a shoplifter’s. As a result, I am always looking for ways to reduce my store’s vulnerability to the inevitable pilferage that all retailers are subjected to.

 One way I do this is by effectively utilizing merchandise protection strategies provided by my employer. While working for a big box retailer, my favorite retail anti-theft device was the spider wrap. I favored this solution because with proper application and the absence of loose cables, this is one of the most difficult products to defeat. Wraps enabled with 2 Alarm technology sound off if tampered with or the wires are cut and they signal the EAS to alarm. Even better, 3 Alarm wraps have the additional feature of self-alarming when taken from the store.

 As I mentioned above, spider wraps are difficult to defeat. Personal experience and frequenting websites and blogs designed to help shoplifters have taught me this. When questions are posted on how to remove wraps from products, a simple answer is never provided. Aside from buying an S3 key online or holding the product with the wrap under water in the toilet to short out the alarm, it’s not easy. As most of us in Loss Prevention know, any anti-theft device can be defeated if a person has time and tools (and privacy). The success of these products increases when a store has an effective sales team. That way, the shoplifter will never be able to get the merchandise to the bathroom.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store for retail anti theft devices like the spider wrap 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 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »