Clothing Security-5 WC blog 89
Checkpoint Tags-5
Clothing security tags-3
Clothing Shortage Can Be An Easy Fix With Checkpoint Tags
According to the 2015 Global Retail Theft Report Apparel Specialist retailers in North America experienced the second highest shrinkage rate of all the respondent categories, second only to pharmacies and drugstores. The sad part is, in my opinion, this is unnecessary. Clothing security does not have to be complicated and with the right steps any clothing store can bring shortage down. Using Checkpoint tags to deter theft is a step in the right direction.
Checkpoint tags for clothing are designed to be a visual deterrent and a physical prevention measure. Attached to a garment these devices are nearly impossible to remove without a detachment key available to retailers from Checkpoint. Attempts to pry or forcibly remove clothing security tags generally results in damaged merchandise. Most criminals are already aware of the problems they will encounter if they steal merchandise with Checkpoint tags and avoid them for other merchandise which is not tagged. This is the visual deterrence effect. Seeing the devices sends the crook to other merchandise and preferably other stores. Aside from being difficult to remove, clothing security tags are also acoustic magnetic or radio frequency compatible meaning they will activate the electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas at the front doors. This is my hint: if your store(s) does not have an EAS system I highly recommend investing in one.
Along with Checkpoint tags, other steps you can implement for clothing security include having a trained employee at your fitting room. I worked in Loss Prevention for one particular big box retailer that had fitting rooms and occasionally they had a fitting room attendant, but not consistently. When the fitting room attendant was present it was a hit or miss proposition on how well they would do their job. I will only add that we had a lot of empty hangers and clothing tickets on the stall floors. An effective fitting room strategy means limiting the number of items someone may take into a fitting room and keeping it to a reasonable number. Too many items and it becomes difficult for an employee to monitor everyone. Require a number system that hands a patron a number that corresponds to the number of garments they are taking in a fitting room. Do not permit a patron to carry more in unless they exchange an item they already tried on.
Fitting room attendants must also be trained to be firm and physically handle all clothing items being taken into the fitting room. Shoplifters will layer clothes on a hanger, hide merchandise between clothes and partially lift an item to show there is nothing underneath. Clothing security is only going to work if the attendant is aware of the tricks thieves will attempt to play on them. The employee must also count all of the merchandise coming out of the room and if there is something missing, the customer must be required to go back in and retrieve the item. Shoplifters like to tell the employee they left an item in the room and when the employee goes back to check, the shoplifter has left the area.
When an EAS system is installed, clothing security will also require a trained cashier team. They need to understand the importance of removing clothing security tags from all merchandise. Failing to remove tags causes alarms and eventually results in complacency on the part of staff who responds to alarms. Thieves understand that in stores where alarms occur frequently people stop being thorough in their efforts to resolve alarms and simply wave people out the door. Minimizing cashier errors and training people to follow up properly on EAS alarms will result in recovered clothing and when shoplifters understand this, they will take their business elsewhere.
A focus on clothing security will pay big dividends. Use Checkpoint tags and install an EAS antenna system in your store. This, along with attention at the fitting room and you will be well on the way to dramatically reducing shortage and increasing profitability.
For more information on Checkpoint tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
According to the 2015 Global Retail Theft Report Apparel Specialist retailers in North America experienced the second highest shrinkage rate of all the respondent categories, second only to pharmacies and drugstores. The sad part is, in my opinion, this is unnecessary. Clothing security does not have to be complicated and with the right steps any clothing store can bring shortage down. Using Checkpoint tags to deter theft is a step in the right direction.
Checkpoint tags for clothing are designed to be a visual deterrent and a physical prevention measure. Attached to a garment these devices are nearly impossible to remove without a detachment key available to retailers from Checkpoint. Attempts to pry or forcibly remove clothing security tags generally results in damaged merchandise. Most criminals are already aware of the problems they will encounter if they steal merchandise with Checkpoint tags and avoid them for other merchandise which is not tagged. This is the visual deterrence effect. Seeing the devices sends the crook to other merchandise and preferably other stores. Aside from being difficult to remove, clothing security tags are also acoustic magnetic or radio frequency compatible meaning they will activate the electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas at the front doors. This is my hint: if your store(s) does not have an EAS system I highly recommend investing in one.
Along with Checkpoint tags, other steps you can implement for clothing security include having a trained employee at your fitting room. I worked in Loss Prevention for one particular big box retailer that had fitting rooms and occasionally they had a fitting room attendant, but not consistently. When the fitting room attendant was present it was a hit or miss proposition on how well they would do their job. I will only add that we had a lot of empty hangers and clothing tickets on the stall floors. An effective fitting room strategy means limiting the number of items someone may take into a fitting room and keeping it to a reasonable number. Too many items and it becomes difficult for an employee to monitor everyone. Require a number system that hands a patron a number that corresponds to the number of garments they are taking in a fitting room. Do not permit a patron to carry more in unless they exchange an item they already tried on.
Fitting room attendants must also be trained to be firm and physically handle all clothing items being taken into the fitting room. Shoplifters will layer clothes on a hanger, hide merchandise between clothes and partially lift an item to show there is nothing underneath. Clothing security is only going to work if the attendant is aware of the tricks thieves will attempt to play on them. The employee must also count all of the merchandise coming out of the room and if there is something missing, the customer must be required to go back in and retrieve the item. Shoplifters like to tell the employee they left an item in the room and when the employee goes back to check, the shoplifter has left the area.
When an EAS system is installed, clothing security will also require a trained cashier team. They need to understand the importance of removing clothing security tags from all merchandise. Failing to remove tags causes alarms and eventually results in complacency on the part of staff who responds to alarms. Thieves understand that in stores where alarms occur frequently people stop being thorough in their efforts to resolve alarms and simply wave people out the door. Minimizing cashier errors and training people to follow up properly on EAS alarms will result in recovered clothing and when shoplifters understand this, they will take their business elsewhere.
A focus on clothing security will pay big dividends. Use Checkpoint tags and install an EAS antenna system in your store. This, along with attention at the fitting room and you will be well on the way to dramatically reducing shortage and increasing profitability.
For more information on Checkpoint tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Bottle locks-5 WC blog 87
Bottle Security-4
Who’s Sneaking What Out The Back Door? Bottle Security Protects Against Vendor Shortage
Vendor theft and fraud is an easily overlooked source of store shortage. According to the 2015 Global Retail Theft Barometer vendor shortage and fraud resulted in 2.21 billion dollars of shortage for North American retailers. Approximately 10 percent of supermarket shortage was the result of vendor shortage and 5 percent of convenience store shortage was due to vendor shortage. I was unable to determine which vendor items were the largest cause of shortage however, when we take a look at the report we find that in the category of food and beverages the number one most stolen items fell under wine and spirits. I believe the data should at least alert beverage and grocery store owners and managers to the possibility that alcohol vendors may be the source of some amount of store shortage. If this is the case, would it not make sense to employ bottle security measures in your stockroom as well as on your sales floor? Using bottle locks prevent shoplifting but they can also prevent vendor theft in your store.
Bottle locks are designed to fit over the top of a wine or liquor bottle and prevent it from being opened. They are compatible with electronic article surveillance systems so any attempt to remove a bottle with a bottle lock on it will cause an electronic article surveillance antenna to alarm when the protected item passes through the antenna. Any attempt to remove a bottle lock without the proper detachment key can cause a tamper alarm to activate. It is possible that vendors could be working in the store and concealing bottles and exiting through a front entrance and reentering to go back to work. Many grocery stores and convenience stores have electronic article surveillance systems at the front of the store so bottle locks would be effective at this point of entry/exit.
Thinking about your backroom however, what controls do you have in place here? I worked as a Logistics Manager for a period of time and with my experience in Loss Prevention as well, I know that the vendor entrance can be an area of vulnerability for a store. It is easy for your receiving employees to become complacent with vendors they get to know over time. As they become acquaintances with each other, the receiver may not check “empty cases” as thoroughly as they once did for merchandise. Many vendors break down their boxes, stack them on a hand truck and wheel the boxes out the back door. How thoroughly is anyone looking between these stacks for merchandise? Potentially, vendors could be sneaking merchandise back out of the store through an unprotected vendor door and you would not know it. Installing an electronic article surveillance antenna on the vendor door would be the first step in reducing alcohol and wine vendor shortage.
Liquor and wine bottle security should also occur as soon as a vendor delivery takes place. Store employees should add locks to the merchandise as it is checked in and receiving is complete. Once the sales floor is filled, overstock returned to the stockroom already has bottle security in place protecting the merchandise in an area not usually frequented by staff. If you have dishonest vendors or employees for that matter, the locks will act as a deterrent to someone who may want to try to steal and resell bottles or just have their own little party. If you have the additional protection of electronic article surveillance antennas on the vendor entrance you will have the benefit of alarm protection. And one more thing to consider, and EAS antenna on the vendor door won’t just sound for bottle locks, they will alarm for any EAS protected merchandise!
As much as we would like to think we have honest vendors and employees, the fact remains there are dishonest people in our stores. Are you willing to trust your profits and losses on an assumption that none of your vendors would steal from you? What if you could reduce up to ten percent of your shortage simply by adding a bottle security strategy to your vendor program? Use bottle locks and see your shortage results decline and profits rise.
For more information on bottle security, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Vendor theft and fraud is an easily overlooked source of store shortage. According to the 2015 Global Retail Theft Barometer vendor shortage and fraud resulted in 2.21 billion dollars of shortage for North American retailers. Approximately 10 percent of supermarket shortage was the result of vendor shortage and 5 percent of convenience store shortage was due to vendor shortage. I was unable to determine which vendor items were the largest cause of shortage however, when we take a look at the report we find that in the category of food and beverages the number one most stolen items fell under wine and spirits. I believe the data should at least alert beverage and grocery store owners and managers to the possibility that alcohol vendors may be the source of some amount of store shortage. If this is the case, would it not make sense to employ bottle security measures in your stockroom as well as on your sales floor? Using bottle locks prevent shoplifting but they can also prevent vendor theft in your store.
Bottle locks are designed to fit over the top of a wine or liquor bottle and prevent it from being opened. They are compatible with electronic article surveillance systems so any attempt to remove a bottle with a bottle lock on it will cause an electronic article surveillance antenna to alarm when the protected item passes through the antenna. Any attempt to remove a bottle lock without the proper detachment key can cause a tamper alarm to activate. It is possible that vendors could be working in the store and concealing bottles and exiting through a front entrance and reentering to go back to work. Many grocery stores and convenience stores have electronic article surveillance systems at the front of the store so bottle locks would be effective at this point of entry/exit.
Thinking about your backroom however, what controls do you have in place here? I worked as a Logistics Manager for a period of time and with my experience in Loss Prevention as well, I know that the vendor entrance can be an area of vulnerability for a store. It is easy for your receiving employees to become complacent with vendors they get to know over time. As they become acquaintances with each other, the receiver may not check “empty cases” as thoroughly as they once did for merchandise. Many vendors break down their boxes, stack them on a hand truck and wheel the boxes out the back door. How thoroughly is anyone looking between these stacks for merchandise? Potentially, vendors could be sneaking merchandise back out of the store through an unprotected vendor door and you would not know it. Installing an electronic article surveillance antenna on the vendor door would be the first step in reducing alcohol and wine vendor shortage.
Liquor and wine bottle security should also occur as soon as a vendor delivery takes place. Store employees should add locks to the merchandise as it is checked in and receiving is complete. Once the sales floor is filled, overstock returned to the stockroom already has bottle security in place protecting the merchandise in an area not usually frequented by staff. If you have dishonest vendors or employees for that matter, the locks will act as a deterrent to someone who may want to try to steal and resell bottles or just have their own little party. If you have the additional protection of electronic article surveillance antennas on the vendor entrance you will have the benefit of alarm protection. And one more thing to consider, and EAS antenna on the vendor door won’t just sound for bottle locks, they will alarm for any EAS protected merchandise!
As much as we would like to think we have honest vendors and employees, the fact remains there are dishonest people in our stores. Are you willing to trust your profits and losses on an assumption that none of your vendors would steal from you? What if you could reduce up to ten percent of your shortage simply by adding a bottle security strategy to your vendor program? Use bottle locks and see your shortage results decline and profits rise.
For more information on bottle security, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Alpha Shark Tag – 4 WC blog 90
Return Fraud-5
Wardrobing-3
Are You Loaning Clothes Due To Return Fraud? Alpha Shark Tags Strengthen Return Policies
Do you own a clothing store and worry about return fraud? Perhaps you don’t worry about it because you don’t ever take back any clothing items that don’t have the tags on them. Maybe you don’t take back any clothes without a receipt. It may be that you have a two week return policy and you are strict in adhering to the policy, no exceptions will be tolerated. I would like to suggest that while you may believe you have some good policies in place, there are ways for those who want to commit return fraud to sneak stuff past you. There are also things you as a retailer can do to prevent return fraud, the best option being the use of Alpha Shark Tags.
What is an Alpha Shark Tag? It is a plastic, brightly colored tag that is pinned to a garment by clipping it together. Once it is snapped shut it can’t be removed without cutting it off. It can only be used once, and the customer discards the tag when they get home and decide they want to keep the merchandise. How does this help you, the business owner? You put in place a return policy that clearly states the merchandise cannot be returned if the Alpha Shark Tag is removed. The company that makes the tags also has a small hang label that may be attached with the tag that explains this policy for you.
One of the more difficult forms of return fraud for retailers to prevent is wardrobing fraud. This occurs when the customer purchases clothing and wears it then returns it for a full refund. The person who is wardrobing is removing the clothing tags from the garment or possibly hiding the tags, then wearing the clothing out that night or day. After wearing the item the tags are reattached and the item goes back to the merchant. In most instances, since the tags are in place and the customer has a receipt, the item is refunded.
Now as fantastic as this may sound, you are probably asking how a customer can reattach their own clothing tags and price labels. A little internet shopping and I found I can purchase a tag attachment gun from Amazon for as little as $10.79! The plastic “hangers” that the gun uses can be purchased at any office supply store. What a great scam! I could come to your store, purchase a new suit, tie and shirt and leave. I get home, remove the tags from the clothing and wear it for a night out with my wife. When I am done with the suit, I reattach the tags with my $10.79 attachment gun and return it to your store with my receipt. My reason for the return? I just wasn’t satisfied and no, nothing is wrong with it, thank you very much. You may just credit it back to my credit card. Now consider the same situation, but this time you had Alpha Shark Tags on the garments I purchased. If I were to cut off the Shark Tag, you aren’t going to take back the return and if I leave them on, I would look really silly wearing the suit out to dinner.
Does this really happen? You bet it does. There are people who do this for a living. They like the image of wearing new clothes to work, or for a night out and never having to be seen in the same outfit twice. Why bother with a clothing rental store when they can get their clothes for free and return them within the limits set by the store? Do the clothes ever have odors or stains from food or make-up on them? Yes, they do occasionally and some of the bigger retailers will still return the items and take the loss when they defect the clothes or mark them out of stock.
Don’t allow yourself to be the victim of return fraud. Begin using Alpha Shark Tags on ALL your clothing items and stop being an unwitting target of those involved in wardrobing. Your good customers will appreciate buying new, unused merchandise and the ones who are defrauding you will take their business elsewhere.
For more information on Alpha Shark Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Do you own a clothing store and worry about return fraud? Perhaps you don’t worry about it because you don’t ever take back any clothing items that don’t have the tags on them. Maybe you don’t take back any clothes without a receipt. It may be that you have a two week return policy and you are strict in adhering to the policy, no exceptions will be tolerated. I would like to suggest that while you may believe you have some good policies in place, there are ways for those who want to commit return fraud to sneak stuff past you. There are also things you as a retailer can do to prevent return fraud, the best option being the use of Alpha Shark Tags.
What is an Alpha Shark Tag? It is a plastic, brightly colored tag that is pinned to a garment by clipping it together. Once it is snapped shut it can’t be removed without cutting it off. It can only be used once, and the customer discards the tag when they get home and decide they want to keep the merchandise. How does this help you, the business owner? You put in place a return policy that clearly states the merchandise cannot be returned if the Alpha Shark Tag is removed.
One of the more difficult forms of return fraud for retailers to prevent is wardrobing fraud. This occurs when the customer purchases clothing and wears it then returns it for a full refund. The person who is wardrobing is removing the clothing tags from the garment or possibly hiding the tags, then wearing the clothing out that night or day. After wearing the item the tags are reattached and the item goes back to the merchant. In most instances, since the tags are in place and the customer has a receipt, the item is refunded.
Now as fantastic as this may sound, you are probably asking how a customer can reattach their own clothing tags and price labels. A little internet shopping and I found I can purchase a tag attachment gun from Amazon for as little as $10.79! The plastic “hangers” that the gun uses can be purchased at any office supply store. What a great scam! I could come to your store, purchase a new suit, tie and shirt and leave. I get home, remove the tags from the clothing and wear it for a night out with my wife. When I am done with the suit, I reattach the tags with my $10.79 attachment gun and return it to your store with my receipt. My reason for the return? I just wasn’t satisfied and no, nothing is wrong with it, thank you very much. You may just credit it back to my credit card. Now consider the same situation, but this time you had Alpha Shark Tags on the garments I purchased. If I were to cut off the Shark Tag, you aren’t going to take back the return and if I leave them on, I would look really silly wearing the suit out to dinner.
Does this really happen? You bet it does. There are people who do this for a living. They like the image of wearing new clothes to work, or for a night out and never having to be seen in the same outfit twice. Why bother with a clothing rental store when they can get their clothes for free and return them within the limits set by the store? Do the clothes ever have odors or stains from food or make-up on them? Yes, they do occasionally and some of the bigger retailers will still return the items and take the loss when they defect the clothes or mark them out of stock.
Don’t allow yourself to be the victim of return fraud. Begin using Alpha Shark Tags on ALL your clothing items and stop being an unwitting target of those involved in wardrobing. Your good customers will appreciate buying new, unused merchandise and the ones who are defrauding you will take their business elsewhere.
For more information on Alpha Shark Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Alpha Thunder Tag-4 WC blog 111
i-pad Theft-3
Tablet Theft-3
Upgrade Your Medical Computers To Mobile Devices And Protect Them With Alpha Thunder Tags
Recently I had to visit one of our local hospitals and during the visit I was looking at the technologies they were utilizing on this particular floor. Because I have been writing about the use of mobile medical devices in hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices I was looking around to see if I could observe any in use. I will admit that I was surprised by the lack of i-pads and tablets by the staff I was observing. As a matter of fact, the nurse that was assisting me had a mobile laptop cart that was being pushed around, along with the traditional medical charts on paper. She was entering information on both and it seemed that this was not very efficient. I couldn’t help but think how much easier it would have been had she been using a medical i-pad or tablet, protected with Alpha Thunder Tags, to enter all the information.
I wondered if the hospital had not invested in them because they didn’t see the practicality of the devices or was it a case of being concerned for an i-pad theft or a tablet theft. If the reason for not using the devices was a concern about theft, that concern could be alleviated by using Alpha Thunder Tags which can be attached directly to the mobile device. If a tablet was put down and someone picked it up then attempted to disconnect the anti-theft device, the tag has a built in tamper alarm that would sound. If the hospital would have electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas at entrances and exits, even in hallways leading into specific wings, if a tagged device were to come within range of the antenna a built in alarm in the antenna would sound and warning lights would flash. Hospital staff could respond the alarm and determine the cause, whether it was due to an employee inadvertently walking out with a device or a “visitor” trying to steal it.
The advantages of using a mobile medical device should outweigh any concerns over i-pad theft or tablet theft. Mobile devices are small and easier to move between patients or hospital rooms that older laptop carts. There are also the benefits of being able to have all of a patient’s medical records available at the tip of the finger, literally. Notes can be entered directly in the tablet as an alternative to being transcribed from paper. Rather than toting clipboards with paperwork or pushing around the cart, a medical i-pad can be easily carried or placed in a medical lab coat pocket.
Another advantage of the mobile medical device is the variety of medical apps available for down load. There is an app for prescription cross references, a 3D human body atlas, a visual reference tool for dermatology diagnosis, even a procedures consultation. While computer applications are available for medical programs and similar reference tools, the ease of using the i-pad or tablet makes it more versatile, even allowing doctors to view scan and imaging results directly with patients on the mobile device.
Of course, the fact that the mobile device is so small and does have resale value does make an i-pad theft or tablet theft a possibility if there are no security measures in place. Alpha Thunder Tags, when attached to devices are that security and are a deterrence to a thief. Frequently, when a would-be thief sees an anti-theft device, even in a retail store, they tend to avoid it rather than take a chance of setting off an alarm.
With the knowledge that Alpha Thunder Tags can protect mobile medical devices it would be a shame for a medical office not to take advantage of the benefits offered by an i-pad or tablet. Make your office more efficient and upgrade today.
Need more information on Alpha Thunder Tags? Contact us or give us a call at 1.770.426.0547
Recently I had to visit one of our local hospitals and during the visit I was looking at the technologies they were utilizing on this particular floor. Because I have been writing about the use of mobile medical devices in hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices I was looking around to see if I could observe any in use. I will admit that I was surprised by the lack of i-pads and tablets by the staff I was observing. As a matter of fact, the nurse that was assisting me had a mobile laptop cart that was being pushed around, along with the traditional medical charts on paper. She was entering information on both and it seemed that this was not very efficient. I couldn’t help but think how much easier it would have been had she been using a medical i-pad or tablet, protected with Alpha Thunder Tags, to enter all the information.
I wondered if the hospital had not invested in them because they didn’t see the practicality of the devices or was it a case of being concerned for an i-pad theft or a tablet theft. If the reason for not using the devices was a concern about theft, that concern could be alleviated by using Alpha Thunder Tags which can be attached directly to the mobile device. If a tablet was put down and someone picked it up then attempted to disconnect the anti-theft device, the tag has a built in tamper alarm that would sound. If the hospital would have electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas at entrances and exits, even in hallways leading into specific wings, if a tagged device were to come within range of the antenna a built in alarm in the antenna would sound and warning lights would flash. Hospital staff could respond the alarm and determine the cause, whether it was due to an employee inadvertently walking out with a device or a “visitor” trying to steal it.
The advantages of using a mobile medical device should outweigh any concerns over i-pad theft or tablet theft. Mobile devices are small and easier to move between patients or hospital rooms that older laptop carts. There are also the benefits of being able to have all of a patient’s medical records available at the tip of the finger, literally. Notes can be entered directly in the tablet as an alternative to being transcribed from paper. Rather than toting clipboards with paperwork or pushing around the cart, a medical i-pad can be easily carried or placed in a medical lab coat pocket.
Another advantage of the mobile medical device is the variety of medical apps available for down load. There is an app for prescription cross references, a 3D human body atlas, a visual reference tool for dermatology diagnosis, even a procedures consultation. While computer applications are available for medical programs and similar reference tools, the ease of using the i-pad or tablet makes it more versatile, even allowing doctors to view scan and imaging results directly with patients on the mobile device.
Of course, the fact that the mobile device is so small and does have resale value does make an i-pad theft or tablet theft a possibility if there are no security measures in place. Alpha Thunder Tags, when attached to devices are that security and are a deterrence to a thief. Frequently, when a would-be thief sees an anti-theft device, even in a retail store, they tend to avoid it rather than take a chance of setting off an alarm.
With the knowledge that Alpha Thunder Tags can protect mobile medical devices it would be a shame for a medical office not to take advantage of the benefits offered by an i-pad or tablet. Make your office more efficient and upgrade today.
Need more information on Alpha Thunder Tags? Contact us or give us a call at 1.770.426.0547
Alpha Keepers-2, Alpha Cable Locks-3 , Alpha Security-3 , Prevent Shoplifting-2 , Retail Anti-Theft Devices-2
Alpha Technology For Shrink Reduction
When you begin to notice that you are losing merchandise to theft, you start figuring out your game plan on how to stop it. A knee jerk response is to gather up the items and place them behind the sales counter and require customers to ask for them at checkout. The problem with that approach is that it’s a proven sales killer. There are a million better ways to prevent shoplifting, but you can start by looking into what Alpha Security can do for you. They have several options for retail anti-theft devices, and it just takes a little research to determine which one is best for your needs.
Here are just a few examples of the tools I use:
1. Alpha Keepers: These are clear boxes that encase products in a locked box. The store can keep the product in its home location where the customer expects to find it, instead of behind the counter. Remember, if they do not find the item where they expect it to be, many customers will opt to walk out the door rather than ask if it is somewhere else. They can be placed on a flat shelf or they work with pusher racks for inventory control. They can also be used with pegs for hanging products like razors and razor refills.
2. Alpha Cable Locks: These are great for things that don’t fit in Alpha Keepers. We’ve used them for big bottles of laundry detergent. People would grab up several bottles, wait until the clerks were distracted, and run out the door undetected. Now, the honest cash-paying customer can still choose a bottle from the shelf, and the criminals are deterred. Many clothing retailers use these for handbags and large winter coats. The days of stringing chains through this type of merchandise is over with the introduction of Alpha Cable Locks.
3. Alpha Spider Wraps: Again, these are great for products that don’t really fit in Alpha Keepers and don’t have a handle to attach Alpha Cable Locks into. We have utilized these for large electronics packages like televisions and DVD players. We have also used them for other odd size boxes. Four super-strong cables wrap tightly around the item in question. I’ve had many people attempt to take them off, and each time they have failed. If someone does attempt to cut off a spider wrap, they can self-alarm to alert the staff. Most times the dumb crook just puts the item back on the shelf and walks away with sore fingers.
Alpha Security has these items and many more. These products aim to protect your inventory but also increase your sales by not limiting the availability for the customer. There is a secure display solution for whatever it is your store sells too. When you think about your shrink reduction strategy, remember your customers want freedom to move about your store and browse for what they want. If you start noticing that certain items are being targeted for theft, do some research and let Alpha Security help you figure out how to prevent shoplifting in your location. They are a leader in the retail anti-theft device business and they have a product that fits your needs that will give you the return on investment you are looking for.
For more information on Alpha Technology, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
When you begin to notice that you are losing merchandise to theft, you start figuring out your game plan on how to stop it. A knee jerk response is to gather up the items and place them behind the sales counter and require customers to ask for them at checkout. The problem with that approach is that it’s a proven sales killer. There are a million better ways to prevent shoplifting, but you can start by looking into what Alpha Security can do for you. They have several options for retail anti-theft devices, and it just takes a little research to determine which one is best for your needs.
Here are just a few examples of the tools I use:
1. Alpha Keepers: These are clear boxes that encase products in a locked box. The store can keep the product in its home location where the customer expects to find it, instead of behind the counter. Remember, if they do not find the item where they expect it to be, many customers will opt to walk out the door rather than ask if it is somewhere else. They can be placed on a flat shelf or they work with pusher racks for inventory control. They can also be used with pegs for hanging products like razors and razor refills.
2. Alpha Cable Locks: These are great for things that don’t fit in Alpha Keepers. We’ve used them for big bottles of laundry detergent. People would grab up several bottles, wait until the clerks were distracted, and run out the door undetected. Now, the honest cash-paying customer can still choose a bottle from the shelf, and the criminals are deterred. Many clothing retailers use these for handbags and large winter coats. The days of stringing chains through this type of merchandise is over with the introduction of Alpha Cable Locks.
3. Alpha Spider Wraps: Again, these are great for products that don’t really fit in Alpha Keepers and don’t have a handle to attach Alpha Cable Locks into. We have utilized these for large electronics packages like televisions and DVD players. We have also used them for other odd size boxes. Four super-strong cables wrap tightly around the item in question. I’ve had many people attempt to take them off, and each time they have failed. If someone does attempt to cut off a spider wrap, they can self-alarm to alert the staff. Most times the dumb crook just puts the item back on the shelf and walks away with sore fingers.
Alpha Security has these items and many more. These products aim to protect your inventory but also increase your sales by not limiting the availability for the customer. There is a secure display solution for whatever it is your store sells too. When you think about your shrink reduction strategy, remember your customers want freedom to move about your store and browse for what they want. If you start noticing that certain items are being targeted for theft, do some research and let Alpha Security help you figure out how to prevent shoplifting in your location. They are a leader in the retail anti-theft device business and they have a product that fits your needs that will give you the return on investment you are looking for.
For more information on Alpha Technology, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
50 PRODUCTS THAT SHOULD BE PROTECTED WITH CHECKPOINT LABELS-PT5
I’ve been compiling a list of every item that I can think of that could benefit from the use of Checkpoint Labels. Can you believe we’ve been through so many already? As we go through even more items, remember that no list can be all-inclusive. This should serve as a guide to help you identify high loss/ high risk items in your store.
17. Glassware
Ever shopped for a nice set of drinking glasses, or baking pans? If you carry this product, you already know the retail costs of some sets, depending on the quality and brand, can be quite high. This, of course, makes the merchandise very appealing to a shoplifter. While it can be difficult to conceal large packages, these items are often the victim of price-change schemes, where a lifter will affix a barcode for a cheaper set, onto the more expensive set. Unsuspecting and/or inattentive cashiers can further this problem. Having an EAS label affixed to the box can help your cashiers identify the high end product, all while discouraging the shoplifter to try in the first place.
18. Ceramic Plates
Going off the dinnerware theme, a good looking kitchen isn’t complete with quality ceramic plates. A few years ago, I bought a replacement set for my grandmother. As I was shopping around, I noticed that the high quality, name brands were merchandised on the same aisle as the lesser priced sets. Looking at them in the box, it was hard to tell a difference. Imagine how easy it would be for a dishonest person to remove the pricing indicator from a cheap set and place it over the barcode of a set that costs around $1,000. Without an EAS label and a product protection strategy, this is more than likely already happening to you with frequency.
19. Picture Frames
I was in a department store last weekend and saw a few Michael Kors brand picture frames. They didn’t look to special to me, but 5×7 frames was retailing for over $100. That’s nuts. Even more surprising is that the store had no product protection to keep that item in the store. A good quality Checkpoint Label would be a great solution to what I’m sure is a shrink problem.
20. Wall Art
My girlfriend and I recently moved in together and one of the first things she told me was my walls were too plain. So of course that meant we had to go shopping for some decorations. Or should I say, she went shopping for decorations and I was forced to go along? She’ll never read this, so I can get away with that. We started looking at some canvas art at a home décor store and I quickly learned that this would be an expensive outing. One thing I noticed was that the more expensive prints were not protected in any way. If you really wanted to, you could just simply switch the tags to a lesser value item and the cashiers would be none the wiser. If you dabble in the business, and shrink seems to be a problem, Checkpoint Labels can be a masterpiece of shrink solution.
21. T-Shirts
I know a few small business owners who derive the majority of their sales from T-shirts. They are inexpensive to manufacture and you can generally make a decent margin on them, depending on your market. One thing I hear the most is how many they get lifted from them each month. The other common theme; no one is using EAS Labels. Why spend the money on hard tags, when you can get the same result, for less, with Checkpoint Labels. Heck, you could even get the sewn-in tags for better protection. It only makes sense.
For more information about Checkpoint Labels, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
I’ve been compiling a list of every item that I can think of that could benefit from the use of Checkpoint Labels. Can you believe we’ve been through so many already? As we go through even more items, remember that no list can be all-inclusive. This should serve as a guide to help you identify high loss/ high risk items in your store.
17. Glassware
Ever shopped for a nice set of drinking glasses, or baking pans? If you carry this product, you already know the retail costs of some sets, depending on the quality and brand, can be quite high. This, of course, makes the merchandise very appealing to a shoplifter. While it can be difficult to conceal large packages, these items are often the victim of price-change schemes, where a lifter will affix a barcode for a cheaper set, onto the more expensive set. Unsuspecting and/or inattentive cashiers can further this problem. Having an EAS label affixed to the box can help your cashiers identify the high end product, all while discouraging the shoplifter to try in the first place.
18. Ceramic Plates
Going off the dinnerware theme, a good looking kitchen isn’t complete with quality ceramic plates. A few years ago, I bought a replacement set for my grandmother. As I was shopping around, I noticed that the high quality, name brands were merchandised on the same aisle as the lesser priced sets. Looking at them in the box, it was hard to tell a difference. Imagine how easy it would be for a dishonest person to remove the pricing indicator from a cheap set and place it over the barcode of a set that costs around $1,000. Without an EAS label and a product protection strategy, this is more than likely already happening to you with frequency.
19. Picture Frames
I was in a department store last weekend and saw a few Michael Kors brand picture frames. They didn’t look to special to me, but 5×7 frames was retailing for over $100. That’s nuts. Even more surprising is that the store had no product protection to keep that item in the store. A good quality Checkpoint Label would be a great solution to what I’m sure is a shrink problem.
20. Wall Art
My girlfriend and I recently moved in together and one of the first things she told me was my walls were too plain. So of course that meant we had to go shopping for some decorations. Or should I say, she went shopping for decorations and I was forced to go along? She’ll never read this, so I can get away with that. We started looking at some canvas art at a home décor store and I quickly learned that this would be an expensive outing. One thing I noticed was that the more expensive prints were not protected in any way. If you really wanted to, you could just simply switch the tags to a lesser value item and the cashiers would be none the wiser. If you dabble in the business, and shrink seems to be a problem, Checkpoint Labels can be a masterpiece of shrink solution.
21. T-Shirts
I know a few small business owners who derive the majority of their sales from T-shirts. They are inexpensive to manufacture and you can generally make a decent margin on them, depending on your market. One thing I hear the most is how many they get lifted from them each month. The other common theme; no one is using EAS Labels. Why spend the money on hard tags, when you can get the same result, for less, with Checkpoint Labels. Heck, you could even get the sewn-in tags for better protection. It only makes sense.
For more information about Checkpoint Labels, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
