AA Blog 34
Customer counting systems: 5
People counting systems: 4
Help Manage Your Retail Needs By Adding A Customer Counting System Today
I don’t know about you, but I am very happy to have made it through the holiday shopping season without any major problems. This time of year is very hectic for those of us in retail, with all of the increased inventory, scheduling and security issues, associated with the holidays. There is always a huge build up to the holiday shopping season, which involves a lot of planning and preparation, but I know the post-holiday struggles are not much better. Now that the holidays are over and we have had a chance to start looking at our current inventory, shrinkage, and profit margins, our job is certainly not over, it’s really just beginning. I know every year following the holidays I have a hard time trying to determine our strengths and weaknesses and how we can improve upon our processes the following year, to make things more efficient, decrease overhead and increase profits. Some of the areas I have tried to improve include: manpower, marketing, security, and sales. These are not easy to evaluate as there are so many factors involved in their success that it is difficult to evaluate and measure. One thing I have done to try and improve my ability to measure these particular areas of my business is by adding a customer counting systems in my stores.
If you are not familiar with customer counting systems, let me tell you how amazing they are, and how they have helped improve my success in the industry. People counting systems are installed at points of entry/exit and can be either incorporated into your current EAS system or be used as a stand-alone device. They provide a cost-efficient means to count and track all of the people entering and exiting your store. The software provides reporting of customer information on an hourly configuration, to allow you to identify shopping trends. I use this information to determine my peak shopping times so I can evaluate my manpower and security needs. People counting systems provide me with the ability to look at historical data that can help me plan for major events such as the holidays, or other peak shopping times, throughout the year. My customer counting systems are integrated into my EAS system, which also allows me to track issues within the system, as well as evaluate shoplifting trends. This information is invaluable to planning and coordinating resources, which reduces my overhead. I also use the data to evaluate marketing approaches and determine success and failures to help improve my sales. I have used the information to add marketing events during times when we have low customer counts, and have noticed a large increase in profits and sales, due to the changes. People counting systems can also improve inventory deficiencies and help reduce shrinkage. Having historical data improves my ability to ensure I have the proper inventory and to track my shrinkage, based on customer rates, and increase security during peak shoplifting timeframes.
Improving your ability to understand your market and your customer shopping trends is an imperative part of managing your resources, inventory and security needs. My customer counting systems have played a huge role in me managing my overhead and improving my profit margin. This helps me manage my overtime rates and ensure I have the proper inventory I need to improve my customer satisfaction. These devices provide a cost-efficient means to evaluate past and future marketing initiatives to improve sales. If you are struggling to determine shortfalls and inventory issues post-holiday I suggest you get a people counting system, so next year you can be properly prepared for the holiday mayhem.
Customer Counting Systems are important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
I don’t know about you, but I am very happy to have made it through the holiday shopping season without any major problems. This time of year is very hectic for those of us in retail, with all of the increased inventory, scheduling and security issues, associated with the holidays. There is always a huge build up to the holiday shopping season, which involves a lot of planning and preparation, but I know the post-holiday struggles are not much better. Now that the holidays are over and we have had a chance to start looking at our current inventory, shrinkage, and profit margins, our job is certainly not over, it’s really just beginning. I know every year following the holidays I have a hard time trying to determine our strengths and weaknesses and how we can improve upon our processes the following year, to make things more efficient, decrease overhead and increase profits. Some of the areas I have tried to improve include: manpower, marketing, security, and sales. These are not easy to evaluate as there are so many factors involved in their success that it is difficult to evaluate and measure. One thing I have done to try and improve my ability to measure these particular areas of my business is by adding a customer counting systems in my stores.
If you are not familiar with customer counting systems, let me tell you how amazing they are, and how they have helped improve my success in the industry. People counting systems are installed at points of entry/exit and can be either incorporated into your current EAS system or be used as a stand-alone device. They provide a cost-efficient means to count and track all of the people entering and exiting your store. The software provides reporting of customer information on an hourly configuration, to allow you to identify shopping trends. I use this information to determine my peak shopping times so I can evaluate my manpower and security needs. People counting systems provide me with the ability to look at historical data that can help me plan for major events such as the holidays, or other peak shopping times, throughout the year. My customer counting systems are integrated into my EAS system, which also allows me to track issues within the system, as well as evaluate shoplifting trends. This information is invaluable to planning and coordinating resources, which reduces my overhead. I also use the data to evaluate marketing approaches and determine success and failures to help improve my sales. I have used the information to add marketing events during times when we have low customer counts, and have noticed a large increase in profits and sales, due to the changes. People counting systems can also improve inventory deficiencies and help reduce shrinkage. Having historical data improves my ability to ensure I have the proper inventory and to track my shrinkage, based on customer rates, and increase security during peak shoplifting timeframes.
Improving your ability to understand your market and your customer shopping trends is an imperative part of managing your resources, inventory and security needs. My customer counting systems have played a huge role in me managing my overhead and improving my profit margin. This helps me manage my overtime rates and ensure I have the proper inventory I need to improve my customer satisfaction. These devices provide a cost-efficient means to evaluate past and future marketing initiatives to improve sales. If you are struggling to determine shortfalls and inventory issues post-holiday I suggest you get a people counting system, so next year you can be properly prepared for the holiday mayhem.
Customer Counting Systems are important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Bug Tag -4 WC Blog 303
Classic N10 -4
Tablet Theft -3
i-pad theft -3
Examining The Ability Of The Bug Tag To Protect Mobile Devices Used For Autopsies
The use of computer tablets and i-pads in healthcare has been growing rapidly. They have been used for entertaining children and alleviating their fear of being in an exam room. They are used by experts to meet with veterans who may be dealing with PTSD and don’t want to go into a hospital setting. They are being used to view x-rays and CT scans with patients. One use for i-pads and computer tablets I recently learned of is for conducting autopsies. As with any medical facility there still needs to be concern for the protection of patient information and privacy. Any patient information stored on a device is going to be potentially vulnerable to hacking and theft and could be used for fraudulent purposes. It is imperative that medical facilities take appropriate steps to prevent i-pad theft and tablet theft to protect patient privacy. The Alpha Bug Tag 2 and Classic N10 electronic article surveillance (EAS) tower are powerful tools to keep mobile medical devices safe from theft and potential patient information compromise.
How do the Bug Tag and Classic N10 tower work together to prevent theft? They operate as a radio frequency transmitter and receiver. The tag has a built in coil that is designed to send a signal out on a specific frequency. The tower is designed to pick up this radio frequency wave when the tag is carried into the receiver detection field. When a tag is detected alarms in the tower are activated and a loud, constant beeping noise sounds. LED lights in the antenna also flash and together they warn the employees of a facility that a tagged item is about to be carried out of the building. Staff then responds to the alarm and stop the person trying to walk out and prevent the tablet theft or i-pad theft from taking place. If a doctor or nurse has placed the device in a lab coat pocket and forgotten they have it as they are ready to leave, the alert reminds them to return it.
The next question you may be asking yourself is, “Couldn’t a thief simply remove the Bug Tag from the unit and then walk through the Classic N10 pedestal?” The tags can only be removed from a device with a special removal tool only available from Alpha Security. Any tampering or forced removal of a tag causes an internal alarm in the tag to be set off. The alert is loud enough to scare a thief and cause him/her to panic and leave the device.
So, how are mobile devices being used in autopsies? According to one website, they posted an article, “Sheffield Opens UK’s First Digital Autopsy Facility”, “Digital autopsy involves a scan of the body using a GE CT scanner, before iGene’s revolutionary, proprietary, software ‘INFOPSY®’ creates a 3D image of the body, enabling the pathologist to conduct a full, non-invasive digital post mortem using a large, touchscreen tablet computer.” http://digitalautopsy.co.uk/sheffield-opens-uks-first-digital-autopsy-facility/
The article goes on to list some of the benefits of the digital autopsy as, almost immediate results, less stress on the family since it is non-invasive, faster investigation so the body can be released for final disposition more quickly, and accuracy of results since traditional methods may miss some things during the procedure.
In addition to the digital autopsy, there are a number of coroner apps that are now available for mobile devices. Some of these apps are an ‘Autopsy Checklist’, ‘Autopsy Consent and Authorization Form’, and ‘Elder Care When Someone Dies Checklist’. The list of apps goes on, but the point is the apps exist and if they are in a digital format, private patient information is being stored that should be protected from possible breach.
Mobile devices and innovative, new applications can improve many aspects of the medical field. As the use of these personal handheld computers are used more it is imperative that steps are taken to prevent i-pad theft, tablet theft and the loss of patient data. The bug tag and Classic N10 pedestal are the protections you need to maintain that security.
The Bug Tag is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
The use of computer tablets and i-pads in healthcare has been growing rapidly. They have been used for entertaining children and alleviating their fear of being in an exam room. They are used by experts to meet with veterans who may be dealing with PTSD and don’t want to go into a hospital setting. They are being used to view x-rays and CT scans with patients. One use for i-pads and computer tablets I recently learned of is for conducting autopsies. As with any medical facility there still needs to be concern for the protection of patient information and privacy. Any patient information stored on a device is going to be potentially vulnerable to hacking and theft and could be used for fraudulent purposes. It is imperative that medical facilities take appropriate steps to prevent i-pad theft and tablet theft to protect patient privacy. The Alpha Bug Tag 2 and Classic N10 electronic article surveillance (EAS) tower are powerful tools to keep mobile medical devices safe from theft and potential patient information compromise.
How do the Bug Tag and Classic N10 tower work together to prevent theft? They operate as a radio frequency transmitter and receiver. The tag has a built in coil that is designed to send a signal out on a specific frequency. The tower is designed to pick up this radio frequency wave when the tag is carried into the receiver detection field. When a tag is detected alarms in the tower are activated and a loud, constant beeping noise sounds. LED lights in the antenna also flash and together they warn the employees of a facility that a tagged item is about to be carried out of the building. Staff then responds to the alarm and stop the person trying to walk out and prevent the tablet theft or i-pad theft from taking place. If a doctor or nurse has placed the device in a lab coat pocket and forgotten they have it as they are ready to leave, the alert reminds them to return it.
The next question you may be asking yourself is, “Couldn’t a thief simply remove the Bug Tag from the unit and then walk through the Classic N10 pedestal?” The tags can only be removed from a device with a special removal tool only available from Alpha Security. Any tampering or forced removal of a tag causes an internal alarm in the tag to be set off. The alert is loud enough to scare a thief and cause him/her to panic and leave the device.
So, how are mobile devices being used in autopsies? According to one website, they posted an article, “Sheffield Opens UK’s First Digital Autopsy Facility”, “Digital autopsy involves a scan of the body using a GE CT scanner, before iGene’s revolutionary, proprietary, software ‘INFOPSY®’ creates a 3D image of the body, enabling the pathologist to conduct a full, non-invasive digital post mortem using a large, touchscreen tablet computer.” http://digitalautopsy.co.uk/sheffield-opens-uks-first-digital-autopsy-facility/
The article goes on to list some of the benefits of the digital autopsy as, almost immediate results, less stress on the family since it is non-invasive, faster investigation so the body can be released for final disposition more quickly, and accuracy of results since traditional methods may miss some things during the procedure.
In addition to the digital autopsy, there are a number of coroner apps that are now available for mobile devices. Some of these apps are an ‘Autopsy Checklist’, ‘Autopsy Consent and Authorization Form’, and ‘Elder Care When Someone Dies Checklist’. The list of apps goes on, but the point is the apps exist and if they are in a digital format, private patient information is being stored that should be protected from possible breach.
Mobile devices and innovative, new applications can improve many aspects of the medical field. As the use of these personal handheld computers are used more it is imperative that steps are taken to prevent i-pad theft, tablet theft and the loss of patient data. The bug tag and Classic N10 pedestal are the protections you need to maintain that security.
The Bug Tag is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Alpha Hang Tag-5 WC Blog 316
Prevent Shoplifting-3
Retail Anti-Theft Devices-3
Prevent Petty Theft Of Pegged Product With Alpha Hang Tags
Walking through a large retail chain store the other day I happened to be in the aisle with the electric toothbrushes. I noticed that most of the toothbrushes had some type of retail anti-theft device attached to them to prevent shoplifting. There was something that stood out to me, the toothbrush heads hanging from peg hooks did not appear to have any protection against theft. Once I noticed that my nosiness kicked in and I started looking at other peg hooked items. I went to the electronics department with my wife in tow (I knew she would be as interested as I was in the store’s merchandise protection strategies). I found more pegged merchandise that seemed as though they should have been secured. I poked my wife and told her she needed to look at something. With a roll of the eyes and a sigh, I assume sharing my exasperation at what I was seeing, I pointed out a locking peg hook with merchandise hanging from it by a simple manufacturer’s plastic hang tag. I asked if she was seeing what I was seeing. She pretended to act like she didn’t care and said, “No”. I pointed out the silliness of putting merchandise on a locking hook that could easily be torn off. I also pointed out all of the other pegged items that did not appear to have anything to prevent shoplifting or deter thieves. My wife must have been thoroughly disgusted by this oversight because she left me behind as she went to the shoe department leaving me to ponder the gravity of the situation. I could only shake my head and wonder, why were they not using Alpha Hang Tags?
Using an Alpha Hang Tag on the pegged merchandise in this store could make a significant difference in reducing shortage of these items. An Alpha Hang Tag is a two piece retail anti-theft device that clamps together over the manufacturer hang tag. The Alpha Tag prevents the merchandise tag from being cut through so product can be removed from a locking peg. For product on a standard or locking peghook, the hard tag has electronic article surveillance (EAS) technology built into it giving it the ability to be detected by EAS towers in a store. The tag prevents shoplifting by being visible and deterring criminals from trying to steal and the tags activate EAS pedestal alarms when someone chooses to try to steal. The alarm activation is loud enough to be heard throughout most buildings, alerting store personnel of the activity. Employees near the pedestals can respond and conduct receipt checks then recover merchandise before it goes out the door.
Retail anti-theft devices can be expensive, which makes the Alpha Hang Tag a cost saver. This tag can be used over and over again, since it is removed at the point of sale when a purchase is made. They are stored away until ready for re-use on new products. The RF circuitry built into the tag does not detune if passed over a deactivation pad so there is no need to worry about tags no longer being detected by EAS towers. The ability to use the devices on hang tabs and clamshell packaging gives the user added flexibility in the amount and types of pegged merchandise that can be protected. Yes, clamshell packaging can be thick compared to plastic hang tabs but Alpha addressed that problem by adding an optional long pin tab that can be used in place of the short, standard pin.
Prevent shoplifting of pegged merchandise while improving instocks and merchandise shrinkage. Use Alpha Hang Tags on all of your peghook ready products and see the increase in your store profits.
Alpha Hang Tags are important and we can help you with them. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Walking through a large retail chain store the other day I happened to be in the aisle with the electric toothbrushes. I noticed that most of the toothbrushes had some type of retail anti-theft device attached to them to prevent shoplifting. There was something that stood out to me, the toothbrush heads hanging from peg hooks did not appear to have any protection against theft. Once I noticed that my nosiness kicked in and I started looking at other peg hooked items. I went to the electronics department with my wife in tow (I knew she would be as interested as I was in the store’s merchandise protection strategies). I found more pegged merchandise that seemed as though they should have been secured. I poked my wife and told her she needed to look at something. With a roll of the eyes and a sigh, I assume sharing my exasperation at what I was seeing, I pointed out a locking peg hook with merchandise hanging from it by a simple manufacturer’s plastic hang tag. I asked if she was seeing what I was seeing. She pretended to act like she didn’t care and said, “No”. I pointed out the silliness of putting merchandise on a locking hook that could easily be torn off. I also pointed out all of the other pegged items that did not appear to have anything to prevent shoplifting or deter thieves. My wife must have been thoroughly disgusted by this oversight because she left me behind as she went to the shoe department leaving me to ponder the gravity of the situation. I could only shake my head and wonder, why were they not using Alpha Hang Tags?
Using an Alpha Hang Tag on the pegged merchandise in this store could make a significant difference in reducing shortage of these items. An Alpha Hang Tag is a two piece retail anti-theft device that clamps together over the manufacturer hang tag. The Alpha Tag prevents the merchandise tag from being cut through so product can be removed from a locking peg. For product on a standard or locking peghook, the hard tag has electronic article surveillance (EAS) technology built into it giving it the ability to be detected by EAS towers in a store. The tag prevents shoplifting by being visible and deterring criminals from trying to steal and the tags activate EAS pedestal alarms when someone chooses to try to steal. The alarm activation is loud enough to be heard throughout most buildings, alerting store personnel of the activity. Employees near the pedestals can respond and conduct receipt checks then recover merchandise before it goes out the door.
Retail anti-theft devices can be expensive, which makes the Alpha Hang Tag a cost saver. This tag can be used over and over again, since it is removed at the point of sale when a purchase is made. They are stored away until ready for re-use on new products. The RF circuitry built into the tag does not detune if passed over a deactivation pad so there is no need to worry about tags no longer being detected by EAS towers. The ability to use the devices on hang tabs and clamshell packaging gives the user added flexibility in the amount and types of pegged merchandise that can be protected. Yes, clamshell packaging can be thick compared to plastic hang tabs but Alpha addressed that problem by adding an optional long pin tab that can be used in place of the short, standard pin.
Prevent shoplifting of pegged merchandise while improving instocks and merchandise shrinkage. Use Alpha Hang Tags on all of your peghook ready products and see the increase in your store profits.
Alpha Hang Tags are important and we can help you with them. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
AA Blog 37
Checkpoint Labels: 5
Stop Shoplifting: 3
Checkpoint Labels Provide A Multi-Faceted Means to Stop Shoplifting and Avoid Price Swapping
When it comes to retail shoplifting, I have had my share of problems, but I have also learned a lot throughout the years. I have learned new ways to protect my store and my products from not only shoplifting in general, but from price switching and clearance tagging. I am not sure if this has been a problem for you in your store, but I know it was a huge problem for me. Of course we weren’t locating these issues on the front end, but instead we were finding them after the sale, when we were netting our losses. We had a large problem, with people switching prices or adding clearance stickers to expensive items, which included returns for full price credits on the same items. It was a problem that was significantly affecting our bottom line and we knew we had to do something about it. We just weren’t sure how we could stop shoplifting of this type, without requiring management approval for every sale item. This as you know would be time consuming and an irritation to our loyal customers. I had discussed these issues with some of my counterparts to see what they were doing to prevent this type of activity in their stores. Some of them had changed their brand of labels, so they would adhere better, but that still wasn’t fool proof. I wanted a way to ensure that our labels were being utilized to the best of our ability without added expense. That was when I discovered Checkpoint Labels.
Checkpoint Labels are the perfect way to prevent price swapping. These labels can be easily printed in store, so you can print the label with your pricing and your store logo on site at a low cost. These labels once applied, cannot be removed without damaging the label. They are also equipped with EAS technology to stop shoplifting. They are a multi-faceted tool to protect all your products. They come in various sizes and shapes to meet all of your needs, and a new label can easily be re-applied in the event of a sale. This eliminates the need for a secondary sales tag, which can be swapped to other non-sale items. Having the ability to quickly adjust pricing in store, is an ideal way to protect your products while saving time and money. It also makes for a good shopping experience for your customers, by reducing time and hassle during the checkout process. Checkpoint Labels also offer a clear label that can be placed over the existing barcode, which adds EAS technology and prevents price swapping all in one label.
Preventing shoplifting is an ongoing battle, regardless of the method in which it is occurring. I know I have struggled with managing this problem from all angles, but I do know that Checkpoint Labels have substantially reduced my loss. They work on so many levels to protect my property, which makes for a cost-effective means to stop shoplifting. I have purchased the label makers, which really helps me manage my pricing more effectively in store. They come in large rolls that allow me to manage my products and my security at a low cost, with very little effort. I love how handy they are, and unlike other cheap labels, I know they won’t peel off, and they work more effectively in alerting my staff when a breach occurs. Now anytime a fellow retailer comes to me about their personal store issues, I can pass on the knowledge I have learned, and hopefully help them in their loss prevention efforts. Helping one another is key in this field.
Get more information on Checkpoint Labels, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
When it comes to retail shoplifting, I have had my share of problems, but I have also learned a lot throughout the years. I have learned new ways to protect my store and my products from not only shoplifting in general, but from price switching and clearance tagging. I am not sure if this has been a problem for you in your store, but I know it was a huge problem for me. Of course we weren’t locating these issues on the front end, but instead we were finding them after the sale, when we were netting our losses. We had a large problem, with people switching prices or adding clearance stickers to expensive items, which included returns for full price credits on the same items It was a problem that was significantly affecting our bottom line and we knew we had to do something about it. We just weren’t sure how we could stop shoplifting of this type, without requiring management approval for every sale item. This as you know would be time consuming and an irritation to our loyal customers. I had discussed these issues with some of my counterparts to see what they were doing to prevent this type of activity in their stores. Some of them had changed their brand of labels, so they would adhere better, but that still wasn’t fool proof. I wanted a way to ensure that our labels were being utilized to the best of our ability without added expense. That was when I discovered Checkpoint Labels.
Checkpoint Labels are the perfect way to prevent price swapping. These labels can be easily printed in store, so you can print the label with your pricing and your store logo on site at a low cost. These labels once applied, cannot be removed without damaging the label. They are also equipped with EAS technology to stop shoplifting. They are a multi-faceted tool to protect all your products. They come in various sizes and shapes to meet all of your needs, and a new label can easily be re-applied in the event of a sale. This eliminates the need for a secondary sales tag, which can be swapped to other non-sale items. Having the ability to quickly adjust pricing in store, is an ideal way to protect your products while saving time and money. It also makes for a good shopping experience for your customers, by reducing time and hassle during the checkout process. Checkpoint Labels also offer a clear label that can be placed over the existing barcode, which adds EAS technology and prevents price swapping all in one label.
Preventing shoplifting is an ongoing battle, regardless of the method in which it is occurring. I know I have struggled with managing this problem from all angles, but I do know that Checkpoint Labels have substantially reduced my loss. They work on so many levels to protect my property, which makes for a cost-effective means to stop shoplifting. I have purchased the label makers, which really helps me manage my pricing more effectively in store. They come in large rolls that allow me to manage my products and my security at a low cost, with very little effort. I love how handy they are, and unlike other cheap labels, I know they won’t peel off, and they work more effectively in alerting my staff when a breach occurs. Now anytime a fellow retailer comes to me about their personal store issues, I can pass on the knowledge I have learned, and hopefully help them in their loss prevention efforts. Helping one another is key in this field.
Get more information on Checkpoint Labels, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Customer counting systems-4 WC Blog 276
Door counting sensor-3
Customer counting device-3
Customer Counting Systems Can Provide Information To Improve Staffing And Generate Additional Sales
One of the things I love about retail is the ability to help someone who knows they need something, but can only describe what they want to do, not what it is they need. OR the person who comes in with something very specific that we don’t have, but I can help them find a better alternative we DO have (especially if I can save them money in the process!). As a sales specialist, driving sales is a measure of success as well as customer satisfaction. Similarly, you can judge the success of your store by the number of people you are attracting and how many transactions that take place at the registers. But do transactions alone tell the whole story of how successful a store is? They don’t tell you the number of potentially missed sales you missed because you did not know store browsers were not converted to purchasers. Wouldn’t it be great to turn those “window shoppers” into buyers? By using a customer counting system, it is possible to find out how many people are actually in the store during the day. Subtracting the number of transactions that took place from the foot traffic a door counting sensor reports and you can get a good feel for how many more transactions might have been generated that day.
Customer counting systems today provide retailers with information from a door counting sensor that reports how many people have entered and exited a building during the day and at what times. A customer counting device can also be used to track electronic article surveillance alarms (EAS) if your store is using an EAS system with antennas and EAS tags to prevent theft. Store management can review daily reports to see how many alarm activations there were during the day and at what times. In other words, customer counting systems don’t just count people they provide useful data that can help manage the resources of a store. One other thing I should mention, as someone with nearly 20 years of Retail Loss Prevention experience, I strongly suggest ALL stores have an EAS system installed in order to significantly reduce merchandise shortage. That being said, if a store does not have an EAS system for whatever reason, customer counting systems such as Checkpoint’s Visiplus people counters can be free standing without the EAS system in place.
I know there may be some skeptics who think that all a door counting sensor is going to do is give more information to sift through daily. But I would like to show that the data from a customer counting system can benefit the store if used properly. I was working on the salesfloor a few weeks ago and had a couple come in and look around the furniture department. They came in looking for a desk our company only sold online but they did not know that. I was able to explain this and offered an alternative desk that was on sale and would meet their needs. After spending time with the couple, listening to their needs and finding out they would be adding another desk later, I found another desk that would be on sale the next day (when our new ad started). I also showed them some chairs and they decided they could use one with the new home office arrangement. The total purchase for this couple was around $1,100.
Had I not greeted and spent time with them, this couple would have left the store empty handed, we did not have the desk on hand they thought they wanted to look at. Our store uses a customer counting device and we would do track customer transactions versus door counts. This would have been a case of two more people visiting our store and one less transaction. If a store manager only looks at daily transactions, there is no gauge to determine if opportunities are being missed. Customer counting systems can give breakdowns of foot traffic by time of day and if this information is used correctly, a manager can plan extra staffing based on prior history and reduced staffing for hours when there are fewer people visiting. Those extra employees may make the difference between a customer walking in and out and a customer discovering something in the store they didn’t know they needed or wanted. Generate more sales by staffing based on customer counting device data.
Get more information on customer counting systems. Contact us or call1.770.426.0547 today.
One of the things I love about retail is the ability to help someone who knows they need something, but can only describe what they want to do, not what it is they need. OR the person who comes in with something very specific that we don’t have, but I can help them find a better alternative we DO have (especially if I can save them money in the process!). As a sales specialist, driving sales is a measure of success as well as customer satisfaction. Similarly, you can judge the success of your store by the number of people you are attracting and how many transactions that take place at the registers. But do transactions alone tell the whole story of how successful a store is? They don’t tell you the number of potentially missed sales you missed because you did not know store browsers were not converted to purchasers. Wouldn’t it be great to turn those “window shoppers” into buyers? By using a customer counting system, it is possible to find out how many people are actually in the store during the day. Subtracting the number of transactions that took place from the foot traffic a door counting sensor reports and you can get a good feel for how many more transactions might have been generated that day.
Customer counting systems today provide retailers with information from a door counting sensor that reports how many people have entered and exited a building during the day and at what times. A customer counting device can also be used to track electronic article surveillance alarms (EAS) if your store is using an EAS system with antennas and EAS tags to prevent theft. Store management can review daily reports to see how many alarm activations there were during the day and at what times. In other words, customer counting systems don’t just count people they provide useful data that can help manage the resources of a store. One other thing I should mention, as someone with nearly 20 years of Retail Loss Prevention experience, I strongly suggest ALL stores have an EAS system installed in order to significantly reduce merchandise shortage. That being said, if a store does not have an EAS system for whatever reason, customer counting systems such as Checkpoint’s Visiplus people counters can be free standing without the EAS system in place.
I know there may be some skeptics who think that all a door counting sensor is going to do is give more information to sift through daily. But I would like to show that the data from a customer counting system can benefit the store if used properly. I was working on the salesfloor a few weeks ago and had a couple come in and look around the furniture department. They came in looking for a desk our company only sold online but they did not know that. I was able to explain this and offered an alternative desk that was on sale and would meet their needs. After spending time with the couple, listening to their needs and finding out they would be adding another desk later, I found another desk that would be on sale the next day (when our new ad started). I also showed them some chairs and they decided they could use one with the new home office arrangement. The total purchase for this couple was around $1,100.
Had I not greeted and spent time with them, this couple would have left the store empty handed, we did not have the desk on hand they thought they wanted to look at. Our store uses a customer counting device and we would track customer transactions versus door counts. This would have been a case of two more people visiting our store and one less transaction. If a store manager only looks at daily transactions, there is no gauge to determine if opportunities are being missed. Customer counting systems can give breakdowns of foot traffic by time of day and if this information is used correctly, a manager can plan extra staffing based on prior history and reduced staffing for hours when there are fewer people visiting. Those extra employees may make the difference between a customer walking in and out and a customer discovering something in the store they didn’t know they needed or wanted. Generate more sales by staffing based on customer counting device data.
Get more information on customer counting systems. Contact us or call1.770.426.0547 today.
AA Blog 44
CP Labels: 5
Stop Shoplifting: 3
Inventory Control: 3
Checkpoint Labels Provide A Cost-Efficient Means To Improve Inventory Control, Reduce Shrinkage, And Improve Customer Satisfaction.
I was in a local store yesterday getting some home improvement items and it seemed very hectic in the store. There weren’t a lot of customers, but it seemed like there were a lot of associates running around. I brought my items up to the counter and the lady seemed distracted. She greeted me and apologized saying they were doing inventory and things were a little crazy in the store. Being in the industry, I understand their struggles, as I have dealt with the same issues. I understand what it is like to see an item on the inventory and not be able to find it. I have experienced the situation where I am running around the store to various different departments looking for the item, sometimes never finding it. It is very frustrating not being able to locate an item that you have no record of selling. I remember a particular store I worked for, at the beginning of my career, which had a significant shrinkage rate. It always left me feeling dissatisfied with our security and our organizational skills. Granted we did locate some items in the wrong place or would find a sale we had missed, but in totality I knew we had a problem, and we needed to do something about it. I wasn’t quite sure how to rectify the situation, but I did know that our lack of security played a huge factor in our inventory control issues. The question was how do we stop shoplifting and reduce shrinkage? I did some research and discovered Checkpoint labels might be a solution to some of my theft issues.
Checkpoint labels provide a cost-efficient means to protect your merchandise and stop shoplifting. They come in various shapes and sizes and can affix to almost any item. Once affixed, they have a strong adhesive, which prevents their removal. These labels are equipped with EAS technology to alert store associates when a theft or breach occurs. The labels are easily deactivated at the time of sale and cannot be re-activated, which prevents false alarms, and improves customer satisfaction. Checkpoint labels can be conveniently printed in store to allow for quick and accurate protection. The printer/applicator can be used to print pricing, barcodes and branding information, creating a multi-faceted product that eliminates the need for multiple labels. This saves on cost and time, which saves your company money. These labels will reduce shrinkage and improve your inventory control issues.
I think it is important to share industry information because I hate to see small businesses struggle to both satisfy their customers, and ensure they are protecting their assets; thus improving their profit margins. Maybe some of these larger companies can afford some degree of loss and customer dissatisfaction, because the margin is insignificant compared to their profit margin. Although that may not be the case for those small businesses that are struggling to make a profit on a daily basis. Overhead and security cost money, but so do inefficiencies that promote shrinkage and negatively impact your inventory control. Not having the products available can cause customers to seek out other retail options, which is why it is important to protect yourself. Checkpoint labels can provide that added security you need to stop shoplifting and improve customer satisfaction and sales.
Need information on Checkpoint Labels? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
I was in a local store yesterday getting some home improvement items and it seemed very hectic in the store. There weren’t a lot of customers, but it seemed like there were a lot of associates running around. I brought my items up to the counter and the lady seemed distracted. She greeted me and apologized saying they were doing inventory and things were a little crazy in the store. Being in the industry, I understand their struggles, as I have dealt with the same issues. I understand what it is like to see an item on the inventory and not be able to find it. I have experienced the situation where I am running around the store to various different departments looking for the item, sometimes never finding it. It is very frustrating not being able to locate an item that you have no record of selling. I remember a particular store I worked for, at the beginning of my career, which had a significant shrinkage rate. It always left me feeling dissatisfied with our security and our organizational skills. Granted we did locate some items in the wrong place or would find a sale we had missed, but in totality I knew we had a problem, and we needed to do something about it. I wasn’t quite sure how to rectify the situation, but I did know that our lack of security played a huge factor in our inventory control issues. The question was how do we stop shoplifting and reduce shrinkage? I did some research and discovered Checkpoint labels might be a solution to some of my theft issues.
Checkpoint labels provide a cost-efficient means to protect your merchandise and stop shoplifting. They come in various shapes and sizes and can affix to almost any item. Once affixed, they have a strong adhesive, which prevents their removal. These labels are equipped with EAS technology to alert store associates when a theft or breach occurs. The labels are easily deactivated at the time of sale and cannot be re-activated, which prevents false alarms, and improves customer satisfaction. Checkpoint labels can be conveniently printed in store to allow for quick and accurate protection. The printer/applicator can be used to print pricing, barcodes and branding information, creating a multi-faceted product that eliminates the need for multiple labels. This saves on cost and time, which saves your company money. These labels will reduce shrinkage and improve your inventory control issues.
I think it is important to share industry information because I hate to see small businesses struggle to both satisfy their customers, and ensure they are protecting their assets; thus improving their profit margins. Maybe some of these larger companies can afford some degree of loss and customer dissatisfaction, because the margin is insignificant compared to their profit margin. Although that may not be the case for those small businesses that are struggling to make a profit on a daily basis. Overhead and security cost money, but so do inefficiencies that promote shrinkage and negatively impact your inventory control. Not having the products available can cause customers to seek out other retail options, which is why it is important to protect yourself. Checkpoint labels can provide that added security you need to stop shoplifting and improve customer satisfaction and sales.
Need information on Checkpoint Labels? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
