WHO NEEDS CLOTHING SECURITY TAGS ANYWAY?

I love my job and the industry that I work in. It provides me not only a good living, but my days are never the same; I’m constantly challenged and always looking for ways to improve store processes to reduce losses. What really ticks me off is when stores can’t or won’t follow simple steps that can save them untold thousands of dollars in shrink. My biggest pain in the side is when my stores fail to properly utilize their clothing security tags.

Take for example a few weeks ago. I get to one of my stores and the manager just starts lambasting a new line of active wear that she received. She’s going on about how the margins are too low and that they’ll end up being a magnet for shoplifters. Well, (LP) had already considered that prior to the product launch and shipped all stores a case of Checkpoint Tags, as well as sending the stores an email regarding placement of those tags. I went ahead and just assumed that this manager didn’t read that email.

I politely asked her if she had received that case of Checkpoint Tags, to which I was met with a resounding, “OF COURSE I HAVEN’T!” Lucky for us, I could very easily track the shipment and wouldn’t you know it… that very same store manager did in fact sign for the delivery days prior. A quick search of her office revealed the hidden loot. I get it, folks. We’re all very busy people. We’re also human, so it’s completely plausible that things can get overlooked in our hectic day. No problem. I uncovered the box and I even helped install those clothing security devices on all the new items she had. Problem solved… or so I thought.

The great thing about the Checkpoint Tags is that they are durable, which means the store can use them over, and over, and over, and over again. Which is what you should do if you don’t want thieves stealing your clothing. It’s quite a simple process; apply tag, sell garment, remove tag, get new garment in, re-apply tag. Rinse, lather repeat. With any good clothing security program, the name of the game is consistency. You have to make sure your initial stock is secured, and then make sure you have a solid process at the register to recycle the tags and get them re-applied to new arrivals. What do you think I found when I went back to that same store 2 weeks later for a follow up visit? You got, it… No tags!

That’s right. Even after what I discussed with her. Even after the corporate email with very clear instructions, the manager discarded the Checkpoint tags after one once. People, they’re not disposable! So just for kicks, I asked the store manager where all those nice clothing security tags were and she tells me that she sent them back, just like I told her!!

Guys and girls out there reading this please don’t be like this manager. Take some ownership of your store and at the very least, follow the established control measures that are already in place. If your office, or your owner want product “x” secured with an EAS device, then make sure product “x” is locked down like Fort Knox. You can’t very well complain about high losses if you don’t do all that’s in your power to control what you can inside your four walls.

For more information about Clothing Security contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.