Retailers have always faced the challenge of preventing shoplifting, which can cause significant financial losses. In response to this problem, Sensormatic, a leading provider of retail security solutions, has developed an anti-shoplifting system that has been proven to be highly effective.
The Sensormatic anti-shoplifting system is a comprehensive solution that utilizes a combination of electronic article surveillance (EAS) and other technologies to prevent theft. The system consists of three main components: tags, pedestals, and a monitoring system. The tags are small electronic devices that are attached to products in the store. The pedestals are placed at the entrances and exits of the store and are designed to detect the tags. The monitoring system is used by store personnel to track the movement of tagged products and identify any potential theft.
Studies have shown that retailers that use the Sensormatic anti-shoplifting system experience a significant decrease in shoplifting losses. In fact, some studies have indicated that the system pays for itself in as little as five months. This is because the system is so effective at preventing theft that the savings from reduced losses quickly offset the cost of the system.
But the benefits of the Sensormatic system go beyond just preventing shoplifting. The system also provides retailers with valuable data and insights into their inventory and customer behavior. By tracking the movement of tagged products, retailers can identify which products are most popular and adjust their inventory accordingly. They can also use the data to optimize store layouts and improve customer experiences.
The Sensormatic anti-shoplifting system is a valuable investment for any retailer looking to prevent shoplifting, reduce losses, and increase profits. By utilizing advanced technology and providing valuable insights into customer behavior, the system offers a comprehensive solution that pays for itself in a short amount of time.
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
Inside each Checkpoint Radio Frequency (RF) label or hard tag is a resonator, a device that picks up the transmitted signal and repeats it. The Checkpoint antennas or gates also contains a receiver that is programmed to recognize whether it is detecting the target signal during the time gaps between the pulses being broadcast by the gates. This signal is generally at 8.2 MHz But it can be anywhere from 8.0 to 9.5 MHz depending on the needs of the retailer.
Sensing a signal during these intervals indicates the presence of a signal being resonated (rebroadcast) by a security label or tag in the detection zone. When this occurs, the Checkpoint System sounds an alarm; in most Checkpoint systems, the alarm sound is accompanied by flashing lights.
This is how a Checkpoint Label is constructed:
Checkpoint hard tags have the same technology in them but are in a hard plastic case. After the resonator is inserted into the hard tag’s plastic casing, the locking mechanism is installed. This usually consists of a clutch that will accept and lock a metal pin that can be inserted through a product at the retail store.
There are numerous designs of clutches, but one example is a metal plate with a small hole in the middle. The hole is too small for the pin’s shaft to pass through unless the metal plate is flexed to enlarge the hole. Once the pin is inserted, the plate flattens, and the minimized hole fits around a grooved section in the shaft of the pin. To release this grip, the sales clerk inserts the tag into a magnetic device that flexes the clutch plate, allowing the pin to slide free.
Another example of a clutch type is a ring of tiny balls that encircle the pin, with a spring mechanism pressing the balls into a groove in the pin’s shaft; a magnetic deactivator retracts the balls from the groove, releasing the pin. Still other tag designs use a mechanical deactivator that inserts a probe into the tag to physically disengage a locking device.
Hard tag clutches come in different strengths: Standard Lock (most common and easiest to defeat), Super Lock and Checkpoint’s S3.
Like labels hard tags come in hundreds of variations and quality. Cheap hard tags are very easy to defeat and offer very little protection. This LPSI video demonstrates this.
Checkpoint Systems hard tags are designed to be used over and over. The tag and pin are removed by staff at checkout. The pin and hard tag are generally placed in separate bins under the cash/wrap and then taken to the back of the store to be used again.
Labels are a one-time use. When merchandise with a label is brought to the checkout the Cashier passes it over a deactivator which is built into the cash/wrap and the label is deactivated or “killed”. The customer leaves the store with the merchandise and the label is discarded with the merchandise packaging. Cheap labels can re-activate prior to the customer leaving and cause an alarm.
The calendar turned over into 2013 and many of us usually make New Year’s Resolutions. One of the most used New Year’s Resolutions includes Shrink. This usually refers to shrinking our personal waist lines. However, when we talk about business shrink we usually refer to Retail Shrinkage. What is your New Year’s Resolution for addressing shrink in your store?
In 2001 shrink amounted to more than $31 billion and now hovers around $35 billion according to some recent studies. Shrink usually refers to loss by employee theft, shop-lifting, administrative errors and vendor fraud.
What are you planning on doing in 2013 to reduce your shrink numbers and improve your bottom line? Although the purchase of anti-shoplifting devices may seem expensive, a business owner can usually recover the initial expense of purchasing a Checkpoint security system and Checkpoint security tags or Checkpoint Security Labels, in a relatively short period of time.
You may think that you don’t need to deploy any anti-shoplifting devices in addition to the great customer services that your associates are providing. After your inventory count and looking at your financial statements for 2012, you may find that you are losing too much of your hard earned money by not deploying the technology offered by Checkpoint security systems and beefing up your retail theft prevention strategies.
A New Year’s resolution usually “wears” off shortly into the New Year. Don’t fall into the same trap when it comes to making changes to your bottom line. We don’t want it shrinking but increasing. And what better way to do that than by installing a Checkpoint Security System and changes to your retail theft prevention procedures.
Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store today to learn more about anti-shoplifting tools from Checkpoint security systems or visit us at www.losspreventionsystems.com.
For more information on retail theft prevention, Checkpoint Security Systems or Checkpoint Security Tags, call us at 1.770.426.2597.
Did you know that your burglar alarm system can be a business management tool? Most all modern alarm systems built within the last 15 years already contain firmware to do much more than monitor alarms. As a business owner you can use these features to manage your physical security. Here are a few to consider:
·An Open/Close Report – you should use this feature to see who arms and disarms you system. It tells you who was the first one in in the morning and the last one out for the evening. It records the date and time. This information is sent to your central station (CS) and is logged into their computer. Your alarm company sends you an automated email on a daily, weekly or whatever schedule you want showing this information. Review this report quickly each week. You can then question why that employee entered your business at 2 AM. Cost: $5 to $10 per month.
Time/Test – this feature sends an automated signal to the CS daily or weekly. The CS computer is looking for it on schedule. If the CS computer does not receive the signal, it brings that to the attention of an operator. Not only does this tell you within a day that your alarm system may not be reporting signals but it can also reveal phone line or phone system problems. Cost: approximately $10 per month.
New systems can do many other things. They can control heating, air conditioning and lighting. These systems can also tie video to your alarm system and email and text you when your system is disarmed or armed and include a short video clip of the camera looking at the front door.
As you may have seen on a TV commercial, you can also arm, disarm, and in most cases do anything you can do at the alarm keypad from your smart phone or PC. Soon some systems will have live video look-in. All of this from any computer or smart phone anywhere in the world.
