Shoplifting and theft from retail stores has gotten so out of control that it is “Retail Gone Wild” or more
to the point – it is simply crazy! Shoplifters have become so brazen that they will just walk out with
merchandise without even bothering concealing it. In many cases, if store associates try to intervene,
they are assaulted verbally and/or physically. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
There are a list of factors. Organized Retail Crime (ORC) is shoplifting by organized gangs, many juveniles
that hit the store in groups at one time and overwhelm the store associate resources. We simply cannot
be everywhere at once. Of course, there are also the other three groups that shoplifters are divided into
Professional, Amateur and the Opportunist. Each has its reasons and methods to steal. All of these four
types of shoplifters have been with us since the beginning of “retail”. So what has changed?
I believe that it comes down to the legal and social changes in American society over the last ten years,
give or take a year or two. Jurisdictions such as California, New York and many others have essentially
decriminalized shoplifting. In many locations law enforcement will not even come out to take a report.
Let alone arrest and charge the thief. What message is being sent? Well, in those areas it turns the
Retailers into retail buffet dining. If there is absolutely no consequence to shoplifting, then why not
steal, over and over?
From the big picture these government officials are endangering not only our society but also retailers
themselves, associates and their tax base. In virtually every state retail is the largest employer and if not,
it is very close to the top. Retailers have to make money. Not just enough to survive. They have to
prosper. If the big box store is not returning profits to the stockholders, then we know how that story
ends. Medium to small retailers have to earn a living that is commensurate with the risk they take each
and every day. In both the big box and smaller retailer it means the same thing. Close your doors and
move on to greener pastures. That means loss of jobs, tax base (both sales tax, business and personal
taxes), housing and homes, and the list goes on all the way to third world status. Welcome to the United
States of Ameristan. This domino will cause others to fall also. Robbery, burglary, assaults are all out of
control now, let alone get worse.
All of this because politicians and officials do not know what they are doing. The individuals who
approve these changes are not fit to be where they are at.
Okay, so enough of the rant. Fixing those issues will take time and effort. So what do we do to keep
ourselves in business? We have to have a change of retail mindset. Just putting the merchandise out on
the shelves and hoping for the best will not work. There are only two ways to keep shoplifting under
control and at an economic level; namely customer service and an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS)
system such as a Sensormatic System. However, we also need to take some old tools and get them into
play.
But, I am getting ahead of myself. So what is this new retail mindset? It is no longer acceptable to simply
display and even use Sensormatic tags, and labels on our merchandise. You have to make your merchandise attractive to your good, paying customers and make it not worth the shoplifter’s time and
exposure (for those few shoplifters that care about such things). If the shoplifter steals your
merchandise but they cannot use or sell it because it is ruined, then they will move on to a retailer that
is “easier”. THAT is the guy you DO NOT want to be!
How can we accomplish this? I mentioned earlier that there are some older tools and yes, even some
new tools to help you with this. A good example are “ink tags”. Sensormatic has been making these
things forever. They have evolved into the great tool they are today. When ink tags first came out they
were simply vials of permanent dye encapsulated in the tag. If the thief tried to get them off, the vials
would rupture and the ink flowed onto the product. So early on shoplifters learned to freeze the tag
while still on the merchandise and then whack it with a hammer and presto the ink tag is removed.
Since then Sensormatic developed ink tags that have better dye with an anti-freeze in it and the glass
vials are pressurized. Now the die did not just flow but exploded somewhat onto the merchandise and
hopefully the shoplifter themselves. I did ask if they could also put a skin irritant, acid or poison in
the dye but that was not really well received. I also suggested exploding tags but for some reason they
didn’t like that one either. Some folks just do not have a sense of humor, ooooh well.
Ink tags can be used without a Sensormatic system or as part of it. Ink tags come with either AM or RF
technology and with or without a pin. So they can be used with your current Sensormatic AM or RF
equipment. This works very well with anything that will absorb the ink. Clothing, shoes, hats, or any item
with cloth.
But what about hard goods? Well, Loss Prevention Systems and Sensormatic have fixes for that and
more. Consequentially, these solutions do not just throttle back your shoplifting but, they actually
increase your bottom line and reduce your expenses. Since we tailor the solution for each and every
individual retailer and/or store, you will just have to reach out to me for further details. Pretty sneaky
how I am doing that, huh?
It boils down to this: Change your mindset and put more on your bottom line. YES, it is that simple!
Reach out to me, Bill Bregar at: [email protected].
When someone mentions Sensormatic security products what do you think of? Do you think of shoplifting prevention? Maybe you think of security towers, hard tags or security labels? Yes, all of these are included in the package but I would like to challenge you to think a little differently about it, I would like you to think about VALUE! If you purchase a Sensormatic system from Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. (LPSI), you not only get a top-of-the-line electronic article surveillance system that will prevent and deter criminals you benefit in other ways as well.
Sensormatic Security Products PLUS So Much More!
LPSI is an industry leader in consulting with retailers to help improve profits through theft and shortage reduction. With a focus on small and medium size stores, they tailor their consultations to the need of the specific business there is no one-size fits all mold for them. They do recommend Sensormatic security products to all of their clients as a sensible way to reduce a significant amount of losses but that is not their primary focus. They want stores to be successful and so they don’t sell a system without providing free training to go along with a system (even a system upgrade).
What good is it to purchase tags and pedestals from a cut-rate website without knowing that there are best practices to tagging merchandise? Whether your store specializes in clothing sales, hardware or even wine and spirit sales there are electronic article surveillance tags available to protect any item. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. will take the time to train you and your team on the most effective tagging methods when you purchase a system through their company. By the way, training is not a one-time deal. If you need more training on your system or shoplifting program within a reasonable amount of time they will provide it. They base their success on how successful your business is.
Were you aware that there are right and wrong ways to respond to electronic article surveillance alarms? Do it incorrectly and it can lead to an unnecessary confrontation. Make a false accusation and it can lead to a lawsuit. Respond to a Sensormatic alarm in the right way and it can result in recovered merchandise for the store. How do you learn to do this? Purchase a system through LPSI and you receive this training free because they know that just owning a system is not the same as understanding the system. It is kind of like buying a car without knowing how to drive. You might get in and start it but eventually you are going to run into trouble because you don’t have all of the knowledge you need to drive properly.
Support From Experts in Shoplifting Prevention
The purchase of Sensormatic security products from LPSI also means you get the support you need if you have a problem with your system. Have you ever bought something and had it break down or you had a question about it and could never get through to tech. support? I have and it can be infuriating. LPSI wants their clients to know they are not going to be working with a fly-by-might company. If you decide to purchase a standard Sensormatic system from them you get a one year warranty on your investment. Let’s face it any equipment is eventually going to need some type of maintenance service. LPSI provides support for your Sensormatic system.
Value in a product or service should mean something when a company says that they offer value to their customers. If I am a store owner I want value and the one thing I can purchase that is going to add value to my store is Sensormatic security products purchased from LPSI. I get a first-class product with more add-on value than I would be able to find anywhere else. Why should you trust me on this? Because I have 28+ years in retail and 17 years in retail Loss Prevention experience and I will stake my reputation on it.
Sensormatic security systems are important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Advantages Of
Using Sensormatic Security Labels Over Other Brands
As a Loss Prevention Manager I often
wondered whether there was any advantage for stores that used Sensormatic
security labels versus the electronic article surveillance labels I was
accustomed to using. I had used big tags when I first started out in the 1990’s
in Loss Prevention and was pleased when those anti-theft labels got smaller but
they were still bigger than the tags I saw competitor retailers using. The
labels my peers were using were little rectangular plastic-looking contraptions
but they were adhesive just like our labels. I knew some of the disadvantages
of using the labels I was used to using. Size of the labels and issues with
some materials causing false alarms at the towers were two of the big
disadvantages. But what could the other product offer that would have been to
the advantage of our store?
Sensormatic Security Labels Reduce Shoplifting
I wasn’t in a position to influence change
in the anti-theft tools our company was using. Those directions came far above
my pay grade. I also don’t want to give the impression that the electronic
article surveillance (EAS) labels we were using weren’t working. EAS is an
effective deterrent to crime and is always better than nothing at all. But I
will say there is a marked difference in how they perform. They both work but
one is more reliable and has distinct advantages over the other. After learning
more about Sensormatic security labels (and later using them with another
retailer). I have to say, they are a significantly superior product if I had
the choice between the two.
One of the problems I encountered with the
EAS systems I was used to using was that we experienced phantom alarms. There
were many things that could create these false alarms. Foil gift wrap, tin foil
rolls for cooking, even coiled cords on vacuum cleaners and power tools could
set the alarm towers off. If you have any knowledge at all about EAS systems
you know how annoying these can be to customers and employees. A shopper pays
for their purchase and prepares to leave and they set off the alarm causing
everyone nearby to stop and stare. Uggghhh, it is uncomfortable and can be
embarrassing, I’ve been in that position. When an employee comes to check on
the alarm it can take an extended amount of time trying to determine if there
is unpaid merchandise or if the alarm is a phantom. I even had enough phantom
alarms one time that I had to place a service call in that ended up being a
waste of the technician’s time and a waste of store money.
Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. (LPSI) is in
the business of helping business owners combat retail theft and fraud. They
recognize not only the importance of EAS to prevent shoplifting but that any
system that is installed has to be reliable. Second-hand equipment, cut-rate
systems and systems that are prone to false alarms can result in poor employee
response when the towers are activated. Shoplifters see the workers go through
the pretense of receipt and bag checks without being thorough. The crooks can
tell which stores are attentive and which are lax and target the easier prey. LPSI
makes a point of recommending the Sensormatic security systems and labels to
their clientele. The equipment is reliable and so are the Sensormatic security
labels that should be used with them.
As I stated earlier, I have used several
different name brands of EAS labels in my career and I have a very strong
opinion about which I prefer. Sensormatic is my preferred vendor and I know if
you give the equipment a try you would see for yourself why I am enthusiastic
about them. I recommend you visit the LPSI website to find out how you can
improve your profit line with a Sensormatic system.
For more
information about Sensormatic security labels contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Loss Prevention Systems Inc. Partners with Tyco Retail Solutions
Loss Prevention Systems Inc. to Provide Innovative LP and Inventory Solutions
Kennesaw, GA – August 24, 2018 – Loss Prevention Systems Inc. (LPSI) is proud to announce its Channel Partnership with Tyco Retail Solutions – a leading provider of analytics-based Loss Prevention, Inventory Intelligence and Traffic Insights for the retail industry. Loss Prevention Systems Inc. has joined Tyco Retail Solutions’ GlobalPartnerEdge Channel Program focused on delivering the Sensormatic® Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) and TrueVue Inventory Intelligence solutions to the North American market.
LPSI has the expertise to integrate new or existing loss prevention programs with techniques and tools for shrink management and inventory control by incorporating the latest EAS and RFID inventory solutions provided by Tyco Retail. Loss Prevention Systems Inc. has been working with small-to-medium size retailers for over 2 decades in providing loss prevention services including consulting, training and pre-employment background checks.
Bill Bregar, author and president of LPSI says, “Adding these tools to our services enables us to provide a complete retail loss prevention solution, and it’s great to be working with Tyco Retail.” This unique channel partnership allows us to combine the industry leading Sensormatic EAS solutions with our skills, experience and knowledge to deliver timely, accurate analytics and tools for small-to-medium size retailers to increase profits and reduce shrink. Bill also adds, “We have always believed that the average size retailer should have the same loss prevention protections as any major retailer. This protection includes, staff training, awareness and world class solutions and insights designed to protect retailers’ profits.”
“We are thrilled to have LPSI a part of our GlobalPartnerEdge Channel Partner Program and Eco-System” says David I. Green, Global Channels and Unified Commerce Leader. “The retail industry continues to transform. The commitment to growing our market share through our channel partner community is steadfast. Channel Partners are essential in delivering our solutions within the physical retail supply chain; our capabilities combined with the Channel are limitless.”
If you would more information, please visit www.LossPreventionSystems.com
LPSI is an industry leader in consulting with retailers to help improve profits through theft and shortage reduction. With a focus on small and medium size stores, they tailor their consultations to the need of the specific business there is no one-size fits all mold for them. They do recommend Sensormatic security products to all of their clients as a sensible way to reduce a significant amount of losses but that is not their primary focus. They want stores to be successful and so they don’t sell a system without providing free training to go along with a system (even a system upgrade).
Kennesaw, GA – August 24, 2018 – Loss Prevention Systems Inc. (LPSI) is proud to announce its Channel Partnership with Tyco Retail Solutions – a leading provider of analytics-based Loss Prevention, Inventory Intelligence and Traffic Insights for the retail industry. Loss Prevention Systems Inc. has joined Tyco Retail Solutions’ GlobalPartnerEdge Channel Program focused on delivering the Sensormatic® Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) and TrueVue Inventory Intelligence solutions to the North American market.