Employee Theft Reduction Training -3 WC Blog 605
Stop Shoplifting – 3
Employee Theft Reduction Training Must Include More Than Just Shoplifting Prevention
If you are not conducting employee theft reduction training with employees and managers to help stop shoplifting and internal theft you are doing yourself a disservice. Theft takes place in many different forms. If store workers don’t know how it can happen and steps they can take to prevent it criminals will eventually take advantage of your business. A trend is apparently taking place in Florida in which thieves have found vulnerability in store training and they are taking advantage of it.
As reported in LPM Insider Magazine, citing SunSentinal as their source, they posted a story on a recent jewelry store robbery in which a distraction was devised to steal a watch. According to the report a man had gone into a jewelry store, asked to look at the watch in a display case and “Once the subject had the watch in his possession, an unknown person set off fireworks in the vicinity of the store,” said Miami-Dade Detective Argemis Colome.” The story goes on to report that this tactic has been used in several other incidents this year with firecrackers set off near the store where the incident is taking place. In one instance an $11,400 Rolex watch was stolen when fireworks, apparently meant to simulate gunfire, were lit near the store entrance. It stands to reason that people are going to panic when anything sounding like a gunshot takes place near a store. Security of merchandise is not nor should it be the first concern. That being said, there are still grab and runs that take place regularly in retail and your staff needs to know how to prevent it.
Do you invest time in employee theft reduction training? If you haven’t because you don’t know what to cover or how to cover it below are a few suggestions:
• Tools shoplifters use; purses, bags, baby strollers, booster bags and box stuffing to name a few.
• How some shoplifters dress; unseasonable clothing, ball caps pulled low and keeping dark sunglasses on while shopping in the store.
• Things employees can and shouldn’t say to customers they think are stealing.
• Controlling merchandise being shown from a showcase and limiting quantities.
• Till tapping; what is it and how do you prevent it.
• Short change artists; how do they operate and what cashiers should do to prevent it.
• Robbery prevention tips.
• What to do and not to do during a robbery.
• How retail anti-theft devices stop shoplifting and how to properly use them. This includes the importance of testing equipment and removing devices or detuning tags at the end of a sale.
• How to properly respond to electronic article surveillance alarms.
• Signs a co-worker may be stealing and how to report suspicious activity.
If this seems like a detailed list of topics it is. It is also not an all-inclusive list. There are more topics that should be covered in employee theft reduction training. Unless a manager or owner is trained in Loss Prevention it would be reasonable to seek the assistance of a company that specializes in Retail Loss Prevention issues. Bill Bregar and his team at Loss Prevention Systems Inc. provide training in a number of formats in addition to consulting with businesses on theft prevention.
Theft is going to impact every retailer. In some instances where distractions such as fireworks or a display of a weapon may supersede any prevent measures that have been put in place. There are still things that can be done to minimize those risks. On a day-to-day basis anti-theft tools and training can stop shoplifting and employee theft. The key is to ensure employees are properly trained and use that training daily to keep a store safe and profitable.
For more information on employee theft reduction training contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
If you are not conducting employee theft reduction training with employees and managers to help stop shoplifting and internal theft you are doing yourself a disservice. Theft takes place in many different forms. If store workers don’t know how it can happen and steps they can take to prevent it criminals will eventually take advantage of your business. A trend is apparently taking place in Florida in which thieves have found vulnerability in store training and they are taking advantage of it.
As reported in LPM Insider Magazine, citing SunSentinal as their source, they posted a story on a recent jewelry store robbery in which a distraction was devised to steal a watch. According to the report a man had gone into a jewelry store, asked to look at the watch in a display case and “Once the subject had the watch in his possession, an unknown person set off fireworks in the vicinity of the store,” said Miami-Dade Detective Argemis Colome.” The story goes on to report that this tactic has been used in several other incidents this year with firecrackers set off near the store where the incident is taking place. In one instance an $11,400 Rolex watch was stolen when fireworks, apparently meant to simulate gunfire, were lit near the store entrance. It stands to reason that people are going to panic when anything sounding like a gunshot takes place near a store. Security of merchandise is not nor should it be the first concern. That being said, there are still grab and runs that take place regularly in retail and your staff needs to know how to prevent it.
Do you invest time in employee theft reduction training? If you haven’t because you don’t know what to cover or how to cover it below are a few suggestions:
• Tools shoplifters use; purses, bags, baby strollers, booster bags and box stuffing to name a few.
• How some shoplifters dress; unseasonable clothing, ball caps pulled low and keeping dark sunglasses on while shopping in the store.
• Things employees can and shouldn’t say to customers they think are stealing.
• Controlling merchandise being shown from a showcase and limiting quantities.
• Till tapping; what is it and how do you prevent it.
• Short change artists; how do they operate and what cashiers should do to prevent it.
• Robbery prevention tips.
• What to do and not to do during a robbery.
• How retail anti-theft devices stop shoplifting and how to properly use them. This includes the importance of testing equipment and removing devices or detuning tags at the end of a sale.
• How to properly respond to electronic article surveillance alarms.
• Signs a co-worker may be stealing and how to report suspicious activity.
If this seems like a detailed list of topics it is. It is also not an all-inclusive list. There are more topics that should be covered in employee theft reduction training. Unless a manager or owner is trained in Loss Prevention it would be reasonable to seek the assistance of a company that specializes in Retail Loss Prevention issues. Bill Bregar and his team at Loss Prevention Systems Inc. provide training in a number of formats in addition to consulting with businesses on theft prevention.
Theft is going to impact every retailer. In some instances where distractions such as fireworks or a display of a weapon may supersede any prevent measures that have been put in place. There are still things that can be done to minimize those risks. On a day-to-day basis anti-theft tools and training can stop shoplifting and employee theft. The key is to ensure employees are properly trained and use that training daily to keep a store safe and profitable.
For more information on employee theft reduction training, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Bigger is often considered better but there are times when smaller is better for example with little labels. C’mon, let’s be honest when we were kids which gift did we always eye first? That’s right the BIG one! When I was old enough to cut the first piece of my own birthday cake I don’t recall ever making it a small slice. When fishermen go out and return with their stories how many of them recount their stories of the little fish that got away? None, every fish that gets away is the big one. What company seeks the opportunity to build the smallest skyscraper in the world? The competition is always seeking to make the biggest, tallest building even if it’s only by 1 foot. Sometimes things just start out big and ingenuity and technology finds ways to reduce the size of things while giving them more power and making them better. Radios used to be big and bulky, until technology made transistor radios small enough to be carried in a person’s hand. Televisions were so large they were often built into cabinets. The size was a result of the cathode ray tubes used to provide the picture. Over the years television sets became smaller and eventually the LCD television was introduced providing clearer, sharper and richer pictures. Screens are larger but the units have thinner profiles and are much lighter to carry. Similarly, over time, labels have also become smaller yet deliver the same protection to stop shoplifting for retailers.
Labels are adhesive electronic article surveillance tags that are applied to merchandise simply by pulling them off a roll and sticking them to a product. The labels contain a circuit that sends out a radio frequency wave and electronic article surveillance pedestals detect that wave. You may have noticed pedestals near the doors leading in and out of a store and in some instances near halls leading to areas where merchandise is prohibited such as restrooms. Pedestals can pick up the radio waves from labels even when the merchandise they are attached to is concealed inside of something. When pedestals detect a label an alarm is activated sounding a loud chirping or beeping noise and flashing LED lights. The alarms attract the attention of employees and they conduct thorough receipt checks and stop shoplifting from taking place before the thief leaves the store.
There was a time when these labels were relatively large and took up a lot of space on the packaging of merchandise. I remember trying to apply them to packages of medicine and had to be careful I did not conceal warning information or ingredients that could interact with other medications a customer might be taking. There were some items I had to forego protecting because the labels were covering up vital information that had to be seen. Now there are smaller, clear labels available and that problem has almost been entirely wiped out. The labels have a clear viewing window that allows consumers to read critical information on a package while allowing retailers to protect their products. The window on these small labels allows a barcode to be scanned something larger labels could cover up in the past. As a Loss Prevention Manager I wanted to protect as many items as I could especially since we had known theft issues in our over-the-counter medicines and cosmetics. These high theft departments were also the ones that posed the greatest difficulty in tagging so I could stop shoplifting that was taking place. I have no doubt whatsoever that clear labels would have significantly aided in shortage reduction in these areas. Smaller tags equals more merchandise protection and you can never have too much of that.
Retailers, bigger is better when it comes to income from customer purchases. Smaller is better when it comes to shortage numbers. Take my advice, use labels and especially the clear labels along with electronic article surveillance pedestals and see BIG results in your next inventory.
For more information about labels contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
SWING AWAY TO HIGHER PROFITS WITH AN O-TAG
The days are getting longer, the sun brighter and everyone seems to be outdoors more. That can only mean one thing… SUMMER is here! Outdoor grilling, fishing on the lake, and trips to the beach are all in store, and personally, I can’t wait to relax a bit and play a few rounds of golf. This just happens to be one category that seems to do very well this time of year. As with any hot item, as retailers, we have to figure out ways to Prevent Shoplifting, or we’ll be blinded by the shrink come inventory night.
Golf clubs can be tricky to keep secure. While, it’s very rare for a club to be outright stolen, what is most common is price-switching, where a lower price barcode is affixed to a higher priced club. It’s difficult for a cashier to spot the difference, so that’s where the O-Tag comes in. I’ve got two perfect examples of these tags in action from just this past year.
I was doing some audits on a cashier when I heard our EAS system activate. I looked up and noticed a taller gentlemen walking, with a funny limp, out the front door. I saw this guy earlier and he wasn’t walking like that. Finding it odd, I followed him outside to see where he went. When he saw me come out of the store, he attempted to run, however found it difficult to do so with a number of golf clubs wedged down his pants. As he started to flee, he just couldn’t bend his knees enough and he toppled over. It was hilarious to watch.
As he laid there, flailing on the ground, I noticed the golf clubs (and one of my O-Tags), running down the side of his let. There happened to be a police officer in the parking lot, so I waved him down and pointed the thief out to him. The shoplifter was still on the ground. He could not get enough of a bend in his leg to lift himself up. Later, I found that he had a harness style rig in his pants that allowed him to conceal the golf clubs. The police officer causally strolled over, cuffed the guy, brought him to his feet and recovered my merchandise. Had it not been for the O-Tag, I would’ve never realized this guy walked out of the door.
Now, that’s really loss reaction. You want to out-right Prevent Shoplifting before it ever happens. This is where a well-trained cashier team can put dollars back to your bottom line every day of the week. Like I said above, cashiers have a hard time discerning an expensive golf club from a cheaper one. I’d suggest you apply an O-Tag to any club valued at more than $100. Second part of this process is to train your cashier to recognize the tag and at what price-point it will be attached.
By utilizing the O-Tag and combining that with some training, your cashier should be able to immediately recognize when a price-switch is taking place. If a suspect customer presents a club, secured with a tag, but it rings for $12.99, the cashier should call a manager. With minimal effort and expense, it is that easy to Prevent Shoplifting.
Get more information on O-TAG, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
The days are getting longer, the sun brighter and everyone seems to be outdoors more. That can only mean one thing… SUMMER is here! Outdoor grilling, fishing on the lake, and trips to the beach are all in store, and personally, I can’t wait to relax a bit and play a few rounds of golf. This just happens to be one category that seems to do very well this time of year. As with any hot item, as retailers, we have to figure out ways to Prevent Shoplifting, or we’ll be blinded by the shrink come inventory night.
Golf clubs can be tricky to keep secure. While, it’s very rare for a club to be outright stolen, what is most common is price-switching, where a lower price barcode is affixed to a higher priced club. It’s difficult for a cashier to spot the difference, so that’s where the golf club tag comes in. I’ve got two perfect examples of these tags in action from just this past year.
I was doing some audits on a cashier when I heard our EAS system activate. I looked up and noticed a taller gentlemen walking, with a funny limp, out the front door. I saw this guy earlier and he wasn’t walking like that. Finding it odd, I followed him outside to see where he went. When he saw me come out of the store, he attempted to run, however found it difficult to do so with a number of golf clubs wedged down his pants. As he started to flee, he just couldn’t bend his knees enough and he toppled over. It was hilarious to watch.
As he laid there, flailing on the ground, I noticed the golf clubs (and one of my golf club tags), running down the side of his let. There happened to be a police officer in the parking lot, so I waved him down and pointed the thief out to him. The shoplifter was still on the ground. He could not get enough of a bend in his leg to lift himself up. Later, I found that he had a harness style rig in his pants that allowed him to conceal the golf clubs. The police officer causally strolled over, cuffed the guy, brought him to his feet and recovered my merchandise. Had it not been for the golf club tag, I would’ve never realized this guy walked out of the door.
Now, that’s really loss reaction. You want to out-right Prevent Shoplifting before it ever happens. This is where a well-trained cashier team can put dollars back to your bottom line every day of the week. Like I said above, cashiers have a hard time discerning an expensive golf club from a cheaper one. I’d suggest you apply an golf club tag to any club valued at more than $100. Second part of this process is to train your cashier to recognize the tag and at what price-point it will be attached.
By utilizing the golf club tag and combining that with some training, your cashier should be able to immediately recognize when a price-switch is taking place. If a suspect customer presents a club, secured with a tag, but it rings for $12.99, the cashier should call a manager. With minimal effort and expense, it is that easy to Prevent Shoplifting.
Get more information on golf club tag, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Drug testing -4 WC Blog 555
Employment Drug Screening -3
Even Though States May Legalize Marijuana Employers Can Use Drug Testing To Screen Out Drug Users
For many employers drug testing is an important tool used to keep the workplace safe due to accidents and to minimize their risk of theft and fraud. Employers were able to refuse to hire an applicant when results from an employment drug screening returned with positive results for drug use. Today, there are 29 states that have legalized “medical marijuana”. According to businessinsider.com there are 9 other states that have legalized what is referred to as recreational marijuana. Despite the fact the drug is still illegal under Federal law, there are legal issues that have to be considered with respect to employers, employees and marijuana. If a state has chosen to make recreational use of marijuana legal if a person decides to use it, can that person be denied employment if it shows up in an employment drug screening?
Let’s take a moment to talk about pre-employment drug testing. Prior to extending a job offer to a candidate an employer may require that applicant to undergo a drug test. These tests may require a urine sample (the most common), blood sample, hair sample or body fluid from a mouth swab. The applicant usually goes to a testing/collection site and in a controlled environment provides the sample. Steps are taken by the agency to minimize the opportunity for tampering with samples. Testing is conducted and results of the test sent back to the employer. If a test is returned and indicates the applicant is or has used drugs the employer may choose to not hire the candidate. I have seen appeal processes where candidates may be provided an opportunity to present evidence that the results are faulty or they were taking a prescribed medication under the care of a doctor. There may be times when a test sample comes back “inconclusive” and the employer may require the candidate to undergo another test. There is no requirement I could find that an employer has to hire someone whose drug test returns positive.
Now with so many states making some variations of marijuana use legal the question is raised whether employers have to accommodate those who choose to use marijuana or other drugs when they are not on company time. Let’s be honest alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be consumed in the majority of businesses by employees but are not restricted when the employee is not at work. That is, as long as the employee does not report to work under the influence of alcoholic beverages. I took a look at one website that is clearly supportive of legalized marijuana and they warn their readers that businesses have the right to drug test. Not only that, they acknowledge that employees who test positive may be fired for drug use. On the cannabist.com they post a story, “Five things for employees to know in states with marijuana laws” by Bob Salsberg, the associated press, Dec 1, 2016, “Bottom line: You can’t come to work high. And you can still be fired – or not hired – for failing a drug test even if you’re not the least bit impaired at work. All the states with legalized recreational pot have exemptions for workplace drug policies.” The point is clear you, the employer, have rights and you don’t have to hire or retain someone who chooses to use drugs. For the time being employment drug screening is afforded protection by the judicial system.
Can employers count on the courts to continue to protect their right to continue drug testing of potential employees or those who are already on the payroll? For marijuana it may not be the case. In a White Paper “What Will Legal Marijuana Cost Employers?” written by Sue Rusche and Kevin Sabet, PhD, the authors state on page 14, “There is no doubt employers will face increasing litigation costs as employees try to assert their rights to use marijuana on the job or after hours, even though research suggests they may be impaired at work the next day.” Impaired workers are more prone to having accidents that harm themselves or potentially others (customers or other employees). Accidents cost the employer money whether it is through a workman’s comp. claim or having to pay for the costs of treatment for a customer. It is an unnecessary expense that hurts the bottom line to your business.
Bill Bregar, founder of Loss Prevention Systems Inc. knows the high costs for retailers in hiring drug users and addicts. Theft issues, safety concerns, lost time from work are just a few of the problems associated with drug use. In order to assist businesses in remaining profitable Loss Prevention Systems Inc. offers drug testing services for employers. The battle over legalized marijuana may go on for some time but you still have rights. Use employment drug screening to keep your business safe.
Drug testing is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
For many employers drug testing is an important tool used to keep the workplace safe due to accidents and to minimize their risk of theft and fraud. Employers were able to refuse to hire an applicant when results from an employment drug screening returned with positive results for drug use. Today, there are 29 states that have legalized “medical marijuana”. According to businessinsider.com there are 9 other states that have legalized what is referred to as recreational marijuana. Despite the fact the drug is still illegal under Federal law, there are legal issues that have to be considered with respect to employers, employees and marijuana. If a state has chosen to make recreational use of marijuana legal if a person decides to use it, can that person be denied employment if it shows up in an employment drug screening?
Let’s take a moment to talk about pre-employment drug testing. Prior to extending a job offer to a candidate an employer may require that applicant to undergo a drug test. These tests may require a urine sample (the most common), blood sample, hair sample or body fluid from a mouth swab. The applicant usually goes to a testing/collection site and in a controlled environment provides the sample. Steps are taken by the agency to minimize the opportunity for tampering with samples. Testing is conducted and results of the test sent back to the employer. If a test is returned and indicates the applicant is or has used drugs the employer may choose to not hire the candidate. I have seen appeal processes where candidates may be provided an opportunity to present evidence that the results are faulty or they were taking a prescribed medication under the care of a doctor. There may be times when a test sample comes back “inconclusive” and the employer may require the candidate to undergo another test. There is no requirement I could find that an employer has to hire someone whose drug test returns positive.
Now with so many states making some variations of marijuana use legal the question is raised whether employers have to accommodate those who choose to use marijuana or other drugs when they are not on company time. Let’s be honest alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be consumed in the majority of businesses by employees but are not restricted when the employee is not at work. That is, as long as the employee does not report to work under the influence of alcoholic beverages. I took a look at one website that is clearly supportive of legalized marijuana and they warn their readers that businesses have the right to drug test. Not only that, they acknowledge that employees who test positive may be fired for drug use. On the cannabist.com they post a story, “Five things for employees to know in states with marijuana laws” by Bob Salsberg, the associated press, Dec 1, 2016, “Bottom line: You can’t come to work high. And you can still be fired – or not hired – for failing a drug test even if you’re not the least bit impaired at work. All the states with legalized recreational pot have exemptions for workplace drug policies.” The point is clear you, the employer, have rights and you don’t have to hire or retain someone who chooses to use drugs. For the time being employment drug screening is afforded protection by the judicial system.
Can employers count on the courts to continue to protect their right to continue drug testing of potential employees or those who are already on the payroll? For marijuana it may not be the case. In a White Paper “What Will Legal Marijuana Cost Employers?” written by Sue Rusche and Kevin Sabet, PhD, the authors state on page 14, “There is no doubt employers will face increasing litigation costs as employees try to assert their rights to use marijuana on the job or after hours, even though research suggests they may be impaired at work the next day.” Impaired workers are more prone to having accidents that harm themselves or potentially others (customers or other employees). Accidents cost the employer money whether it is through a workman’s comp. claim or having to pay for the costs of treatment for a customer. It is an unnecessary expense that hurts the bottom line to your business.
Bill Bregar, founder of Loss Prevention Systems Inc. knows the high costs for retailers in hiring drug users and addicts. Theft issues, safety concerns, lost time from work are just a few of the problems associated with drug use. In order to assist businesses in remaining profitable Loss Prevention Systems Inc. offers drug testing services for employers. The battle over legalized marijuana may go on for some time but you still have rights. Use employment drug screening to keep your business safe.
Drug testing is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Door Counting Sensor- 5 WC Blog 499
Retail Traffic Counting-4
Senseless Arguments Against A Door Counting Sensor
When you hear the mention of a door counting sensor in retail what comes to your mind? Do you think only in terms of measuring your foot traffic and that’s it? Are you dismissing the importance of retail traffic counting because you are concerned that it will just be more data you have to file away? I was surprised to learn that two objections some business owners have to counters are the appearance and that they count children who those owners don’t consider important because they don’t spend the money. If these are concerns you have had and it has discouraged you from investing in a door counting sensor for your business this article is for you.
I know that some readers are familiar with the concept of retail traffic counting but may not know how it is done so I am going to digress briefly for the uninitiated. The basic idea is that a store uses a door counting sensor to identify the number of people entering the business. We will discuss how that information may be used a bit later. The sensor itself can be a stand-alone unit or in stores that utilize electronic article surveillance pedestals to prevent shoplifting a sensor can be attached directly to the pedestals. It’s that simple!
As I said earlier, there are two major objections I found that are used as excuses not to invest in a retail traffic counting system. The first objection was that some units have the appearance of a cctv camera and owners and managers are afraid it will make customers uncomfortable. Hogwash! There are very few retailers in this day and age which do not employ some type of video surveillance. It may be a Public View monitor at the entrance to a store or in an area known to be vulnerable to theft. As a Loss Prevention Manager I have seen them used in high end department stores at the entrance to fitting rooms. I would argue that the extensive use of cctv has actually de-sensitized shoppers to cameras and video monitors to the point they have negligible effects on deterring shoplifters. The other rebuttal to this objection is that when the unit is tied in to an EAS pedestal it is barely noticeable. Shoppers hardly notice pedestals when they enter or leave (unless it alarms) so adding a small accessory to it won’t cause any distractions.
The other argument against a door counting sensor is that they count small children who won’t be spending money. That is to say the results are skewed and therefore irrelevant. Well, Mr. or Ms. Grocery Store Owner, don’t you think that those children are influencing their parents while the parents are shopping? Do you display children’s cereals on endcaps? Do you have gum, candy and soft drink coolers at your checkout stands? Why do you think food manufacturers spend so much money on advertising and packaging? In many cases it is to appeal to the children who will influence parents spending habits. Clothing retailers, the same goes for you. There is a reason commercials are made to make clothing for kids to look “cool” and popular. Toy store retailers, I don’t think I should even have to say anything to you. How many children are buying your merchandise? That’s right, very few. It is the parents and usually a response to what their children have asked for on birthdays, holidays and just pointed out while watching a television ad. If you are striving to get people to visit your store you are going to reach out to as many folks as possible and that includes families with children.
I mentioned I would discuss how information from a Retail Traffic Counting system could benefit your store. Let’s suppose you advertise a new line of product you are carrying. You may use a number of media venues and door and window signage to get out the message. You create a new product display in a prominent location. The success of the new product can’t be measured just in sales dollars. A traffic counter will tell you how many people entered your store. When you have previous information to compare to you can see whether your new product drew in more people. That measure of success is something you can build on to keep new customers coming back time after time.
A door counting sensor isn’t just another source of useless data. If employed properly and the information understood correctly it can be a powerful tool for measuring success of merchandising. It can also be used to improve your payroll allocation, but that is for another article.
For more information about a door counting sensor contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
When you hear the mention of a door counting sensor in retail what comes to your mind? Do you think only in terms of measuring your foot traffic and that’s it? Are you dismissing the importance of retail traffic counting because you are concerned that it will just be more data you have to file away? I was surprised to learn that two objections some business owners have to counters are the appearance and that they count children who those owners don’t consider important because they don’t spend the money. If these are concerns you have had and it has discouraged you from investing in a door counting sensor for your business this article is for you.
I know that some readers are familiar with the concept of retail traffic counting but may not know how it is done so I am going to digress briefly for the uninitiated. The basic idea is that a store uses a door counting sensor to identify the number of people entering the business. We will discuss how that information may be used a bit later. The sensor itself can be a stand-alone unit or in stores that utilize electronic article surveillance pedestals to prevent shoplifting a sensor can be attached directly to the pedestals. It’s that simple!
As I said earlier, there are two major objections I found that are used as excuses not to invest in a retail traffic counting system. The first objection was that some units have the appearance of a cctv camera and owners and managers are afraid it will make customers uncomfortable. Hogwash! There are very few retailers in this day and age which do not employ some type of video surveillance. It may be a Public View monitor at the entrance to a store or in an area known to be vulnerable to theft. As a Loss Prevention Manager I have seen them used in high end department stores at the entrance to fitting rooms. I would argue that the extensive use of cctv has actually de-sensitized shoppers to cameras and video monitors to the point they have negligible effects on deterring shoplifters. The other rebuttal to this objection is that when the unit is tied in to an EAS pedestal it is barely noticeable. Shoppers hardly notice pedestals when they enter or leave (unless it alarms) so adding a small accessory to it won’t cause any distractions.
The other argument against a door counting sensor is that they count small children who won’t be spending money. That is to say the results are skewed and therefore irrelevant. Well, Mr. or Ms. Grocery Store Owner, don’t you think that those children are influencing their parents while the parents are shopping? Do you display children’s cereals on endcaps? Do you have gum, candy and soft drink coolers at your checkout stands? Why do you think food manufacturers spend so much money on advertising and packaging? In many cases it is to appeal to the children who will influence parents spending habits. Clothing retailers, the same goes for you. There is a reason commercials are made to make clothing for kids to look “cool” and popular. Toy store retailers, I don’t think I should even have to say anything to you. How many children are buying your merchandise? That’s right, very few. It is the parents and usually a response to what their children have asked for on birthdays, holidays and just pointed out while watching a television ad. If you are striving to get people to visit your store you are going to reach out to as many folks as possible and that includes families with children.
I mentioned I would discuss how information from a Retail Traffic Counting system could benefit your store. Let’s suppose you advertise a new line of product you are carrying. You may use a number of media venues and door and window signage to get out the message. You create a new product display in a prominent location. The success of the new product can’t be measured just in sales dollars. A traffic counter will tell you how many people entered your store. When you have previous information to compare to you can see whether your new product drew in more people. That measure of success is something you can build on to keep new customers coming back time after time.
A door counting sensor isn’t just another source of useless data. If employed properly and the information understood correctly it can be a powerful tool for measuring success of merchandising. It can also be used to improve your payroll allocation, but that is for another article.
For more information about a door counting sensor contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Clothing security tags-4 WC Blog 545
Checkpoint Tags-4
Checkpoint Tags Improve Shortage and SAFETY
I’m frustrated and angry as I read a story of a shoplifting incident that resulted in the death of an innocent bystander. The loss of life and the whole incident could possibly have been avoided if clothing security tags had been in use by the store where the shoplifting took place.
http://www.newson6.com/story/37377335/senseless-act-led-to-death-of-bystander-tahlequah-police-chief-says
According to the report the alleged shoplifter was attempting to steal clothing. The report indicated the suspect was seen in camera footage filling his shopping cart with clothes. “Next he’s seen walking out the door with what police said is a bag of stolen items.” The suspect is accused of fleeing from police in a pick-up truck. While attempting to elude police the suspect ran into another vehicle and the driver of that car was killed. I am angry that the shoplifter tried to commit a crime and then placed others in jeopardy in his effort to escape. I am angry that there are those who would use this incident to justify the position that stores should just allow criminals (and that’s what they are…shoplifting is a crime) to leave. They argue that confronting a shoplifter poses a danger to store personnel and customers. I am also concerned about the apparent lack of security tags on clothes. The retailer is a well-known chain and I have shopped in their stores. I do not recall seeing any Checkpoint tags used on clothing in their locations. While tags are not a guarantee to stop shoplifting they do provide a strong deterrence to the crime.
Clothing security tags are devices that are equipped with electronic article surveillance (EAS) technology that works in unison with Checkpoint pedestals. The EAS tech in the tags sends off a radio frequency wave that is received by a pedestal when it is carried into the detection field of the pedestal. When the pedestal picks up the signal of the tag alarms are set off creating a very loud beeping noise. Store personnel respond to these alarms and verify customer receipts against the merchandise they are taking out of the store. When done appropriately these receipt checks result in a “shopper” returning the merchandise or purchasing it. The beauty of Checkpoint tags is that they prevent shoplifting and attempts at shoplifting just by being attached to clothes. Shoplifters are not in the habit of wanting to advertise to store employees what they are doing. They want to get in, steal and get out. They know what the tags are and they generally steer clear of merchandise that is protected.
I am aware that some readers are going to think that I am saying clothing security tags would have saved the victim’s life in this case. I am not going to go that far. There were a number of factors that came into play and I am not aware of them all. For example, I read that the subject had a track record of fleeing from police in prior incidents. One report alleged the suspect would see a police car and speed away without any indications the officer even noticed him. I also have no idea if he was approached at the doors of the store or if he was approached, what that interaction looked like. I have had shoplifters run from me for absolutely no reason at all except that they thought they were being followed. No, this unfortunate tragedy may have happened with or without the use of Checkpoint tags but I believe that the use of tags MAY have deterred the suspect and sent him elsewhere or changed his decision to try to steal.
Bill Bregar and his team at Loss Prevention Systems Inc. know that there are dangers associated with shoplifting and want to eliminate that risk. This is why they trust Checkpoint tags and pedestals when recommending safety and security strategies to retail owners. Checkpoint’s equipment has a proven track record of success in shortage reduction and a natural consequence is improved safety for the store.
There is nothing funny or cute about shoplifting. There are financial costs associated with the crime that impact the store owner and their legitimate customers. There can also be tragic consequences as seen in the referenced case. Use clothing security tags on your merchandise and reduce the chances that your employees or innocent bystanders will be injured or harmed due to criminal shoplifters.
Get more information on Checkpoint tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
I’m frustrated and angry as I read a story of a shoplifting incident that resulted in the death of an innocent bystander. The loss of life and the whole incident could possibly have been avoided if clothing security tags had been in use by the store where the shoplifting took place.
http://www.newson6.com/story/37377335/senseless-act-led-to-death-of-bystander-tahlequah-police-chief-says
According to the report the alleged shoplifter was attempting to steal clothing. The report indicated the suspect was seen in camera footage filling his shopping cart with clothes. “Next he’s seen walking out the door with what police said is a bag of stolen items.” The suspect is accused of fleeing from police in a pick-up truck. While attempting to elude police the suspect ran into another vehicle and the driver of that car was killed. I am angry that the shoplifter tried to commit a crime and then placed others in jeopardy in his effort to escape. I am angry that there are those who would use this incident to justify the position that stores should just allow criminals (and that’s what they are…shoplifting is a crime) to leave. They argue that confronting a shoplifter poses a danger to store personnel and customers. I am also concerned about the apparent lack of security tags on clothes. The retailer is a well-known chain and I have shopped in their stores. I do not recall seeing any hard tags used on clothing in their locations. While tags are not a guarantee to stop shoplifting they do provide a strong deterrence to the crime.
Clothing security tags are devices that are equipped with electronic article surveillance (EAS) technology that works in unison with EAS pedestals. The EAS tech in the tags sends off a radio frequency wave that is received by a pedestal when it is carried into the detection field of the pedestal. When the pedestal picks up the signal of the tag, alarms are set off creating a very loud beeping noise. Store personnel respond to these alarms and verify customer receipts against the merchandise they are taking out of the store. When done appropriately these receipt checks result in a “shopper” returning the merchandise or purchasing it. The beauty of hard tags is that they prevent shoplifting and attempts at shoplifting just by being attached to clothes. Shoplifters are not in the habit of wanting to advertise to store employees what they are doing. They want to get in, steal and get out. They know what the tags are and they generally steer clear of merchandise that is protected.
I am aware that some readers are going to think that I am saying clothing security tags would have saved the victim’s life in this case. I am not going to go that far. There were a number of factors that came into play and I am not aware of them all. For example, I read that the subject had a track record of fleeing from police in prior incidents. One report alleged the suspect would see a police car and speed away without any indications the officer even noticed him. I also have no idea if he was approached at the doors of the store or if he was approached, what that interaction looked like. I have had shoplifters run from me for absolutely no reason at all except that they thought they were being followed. No, this unfortunate tragedy may have happened with or without the use of hard tags but I believe that the use of tags MAY have deterred the suspect and sent him elsewhere or changed his decision to try to steal.
Bill Bregar and his team at Loss Prevention Systems Inc. know that there are dangers associated with shoplifting and want to eliminate that risk. This is why they trust hard tags and pedestals when recommending safety and security strategies to retail owners.
There is nothing funny or cute about shoplifting. There are financial costs associated with the crime that impact the store owner and their legitimate customers. There can also be tragic consequences as seen in the referenced case. Use clothing security tags on your merchandise and reduce the chances that your employees or innocent bystanders will be injured or harmed due to criminal shoplifters.
Get more information on hard tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
