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.

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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.

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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.

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Retail Anti Theft Devices

January 14, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Retail anti theft devices may just be the cure for what ails you! If your business is having a problem with shoplifters you’re not alone. Reports say that stores in the U.S. lost $26 billion last year from shoplifting alone. Sure, you can hire a semi-pro wrestler and a pit bull to guard every exit, but luckily we live in a world of technology and therefore there’s a better way.

Security experts say the most effective anti-shoplifting tools these days are CCTV and EAS systems (electronic article surveillance) such as checkpoint security systems . Separately they are both a good option. Used together, experts say, they’re almost unbeatable. EAS is a technology used to identify articles as they pass by pylons in a store. This identification is used to alert someone that unauthorized removal of items is being attempted.

According to the Association of Automated Identification Manufacturers, over 800,000 EAS systems have been installed worldwide, primarily in the retail arena. (So if you don’t have one you’re already behind the curve) EAS systems are useful anywhere there is an opportunity for theft of items of any size. These types of retail anti theft devices enable a retailer to display popular items on the floor, where they can be seen, rather than putting them in locked cases or behind a counter.

Shoplifters may be extremely inventive and rather patient at times but the truth is that they’re lazy. If you properly protect the items within your store they will simply take their business elsewhere to some other retailer who is not quite as vigilant and dedicated to the idea of loss prevention as you are. Retail anti theft devices such as checkpoint security systems and others will help your business become an unfavorable target to shoplifters and keep your product on the shelves.

For more information about retail anti theft devices or checkpoint security systems or anti shoplifting or stop shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

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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

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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

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High End Product Theft? Solve The Problem And Stop Shoplifting!

January 5, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Are you scratching your head trying to figure out how to stop shoplifting losses on a high cost item such as leather, women’s handbags or power tools? Shoplifters like to target these items for obvious reasons; one item gets them a very high return. There are solutions to this issue.

Many retailers take the approach that they have to lock up or put this type of item behind the counter. This keeps it away from thieves but it also limits access by legitimate customers. There are also older systems that “tie” the item down with a simple cable or a wire that is alarmed. Those methods are messy, difficult to manage and quite frankly look ugly in your merchandising efforts. Putting item behind glass again does not allow customer access.

Consider another idea. Place an Alpha 3 Alarm Hard Tag on the item and stop shoplifting once and for all. These hard tags protect the merchandise in three ways at the same time. They allow the customer to pick up the item, look at it and carry it around the store. They do not need employee assistance. Oh and by the way the Alpha 3 Alarm Hard Tag is not very big and it is very well built

The three ways this hard tag protect the merchandise are:

Early detection – If a shoplifter attempts to remove the tag by cutting it off or forcing it the tag itself goes into alarm. A built in sounder goes off alerting employees.
EAS protection – If the shoplifter tries to leave the store it will activate your Checkpoint systems or other EAS system. The tag it self will also go into alarm.
Extended Range – If the shoplifter tries to run away the built in sounder stays in alarm until the battery dies which is quite a long time. I like this part. We love to see a shoplifter standing there with the alarm sounding outside the store.

For your good customers once they reach the checkout your employee simply removes the Alpha 3 Alarm Hard Tag to be recycled for use on another piece of your merchandise.

Alpha products work hand in hand with Checkpoint systems or your current EAS to stop shoplifting in your store.

For more information about Alpha 3 Alarm Hard Tags, checkpoint systems or other retail anti theft devices contact us at stop shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

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Checkpoint Security Systems and the retailer

January 3, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Checkpoint security systems are not your run of the mill systems. Sure, there are many systems out there that claim to provide the same level of security, service and protection. However, few can match the quality and service provided by checkpoint security systems .

What is the benefit of having a checkpoint security system ? For starters, it gives the amateur shoplifter that ability to decide “Never mind, I won’t steal this merchandise today”. Checkpoint security systems work by providing a visual presence, much like a uniformed security guard standing at the front of your store. The would-be shoplifter see’s the inability to exit the store without being noticed, so they give up. Also, look at your merchandise.

In the efforts to help stop shoplifting, retail anti theft devices are affixed to several type of merchandise. Now, when the average shoplifter enters your store, he see’s these retail anti theft devices and decides to not take merchandise. All shoplifters want privacy. They want to be able to get in and out of your store quietly, without being detected. A Checkpoint security system takes away that privacy.

Retailers worldwide are always looking for the solution to stop shoplifting. Can shoplifting be stopped? The jury is still out on that one. For now, focus on reducing the instances of shoplifting and protect your stores, merchandise and employees.

Employees? Did I forget to mention that a Checkpoint security system can help keep honest people honest? Sure, if an employee knows that he must remove retail anti theft devices or has to try and take off checkpoint security tags to defeat the checkpoint systems , he/she certainly will think twice about it.

All in all, keeping your store safe and easy to shop will not only boost your profits but will give your employees a sense that you care. If you care, they will care. If you haven’t already, develop a plan to help stop shoplifting in your stores.

For more information about checkpoint systems , checkpoint security tags , checkpoint labels or anti shoplifting contact us at Checkpoint Security Systems or call us at 1.770.426.0547

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Protecting merchandise with retail anti theft devices

January 3, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

In a perfect world we would staff our business to the max, so that every item and every aisle could be watched. That is simply not practical in the business world: at least not in a profitable business.

Retail anti theft devices can help protect your assets and stop shoplifting in your business. High theft items draw in the shoplifters, so these are the items that need to be protected and merchandised in a way to increase sales and reduce loss.

Strategies in retail theft prevention include placing high theft items where employees can keep an eye on them. However, employees also provide good customer service and may need to show an inquisitive customer where an item is, thus directing the employee’s attention away from those high theft items. Retail anti theft devices can be utilized to still offer protection to those items that shoplifters desire the most, when employees may be unable to closely watch the items.

There is a variety of retail anti theft devices available: a business owner can work with a retail theft prevention expert to determine which type of device is best suited for his products and his retail environment. For a minimal investment loss from shoplifting can be greatly reduced with retail theft prevention techniques.

Is there a way to completely stop shoplifting in your business? Probably not, but you can sure reduce the opportunity for theft in your business by having trained employees, retail anti theft devices , and good retail theft prevention practices.

For more information about: retail anti theft devices or stop shoplifting or retail theft prevention contact us or call 1.770.426.256.

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Ways to Stop Shoplifting

January 3, 2011 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Ok, let’s face it; there is no fool proof way to stop shoplifting. As hard as we’re working to stop them, they’re working to figure out new improved ways to get away without paying for our merchandise. God forbid they should actually get a job and pay for their goods like regular folks, that would be too much like “right”. So, we’re left with the job of staying knowledgeable on their tricks and trends in order to keep our merchandise in the stores and available to the honest paying customers that frequent our establishments. The following are a few popular ways shoplifters do their dirt:

The baby carriage or stroller is a great tool for shoplifters. There are always blankets, toys, and other things in strollers, including the baby, that merchandise can be hidden under – despicable, I know. Some thieves have even built false bottoms in baby carriages in which to conceal merchandise. A large open bag is a common shoplifter tool. It is placed at the thief’s feet, and objects are casually dropped into it. Be on the lookout for what I call “thief bags” – a paper or plastic bag that is dirty, wrinkled or obviously previously used. Also keep an eye out for shopping bags that are not from local stores. Thieves will bring these in, fill them with your merchandise, and then pretend it was purchased previously or from another store.

You have to be very observant in order to stop shoplifting. A common tactic is to keep a closed, but not snapped, umbrella hanging on your elbow or leaning against a counter, and then to drop items into it. Baggy clothes in general are good places to hide stolen items. Some people have extra pockets or hooks sewn into coats and jackets so that they can easily conceal merchandise without drawing too much attention to themselves. The shoplifter is an inventive creature who will stop at nothing to get away with your merchandise. The only way to stop shoplifting is to stay aware and keep one step ahead of the crooks.

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

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