Door Counting Sensor- 3 wc blog 267
Customer Counting System-4
Retail Traffic Counting System-3
Customer Counting Systems Can Help Convert Foot Traffic Into Improved Sales And Reduced Shrink Part 2
In Part 1 of this 2 part series I discussed the potential for customer counting systems to help improve in-store marketing efforts by taking advantage of data that can be provided by a VisiPlus people counting system. Overhead sensors can be strategically installed in locations where high profile displays or endcaps may be set up to attract customers and generate sales. If information from these sensors determines that foot traffic is not increasing or garnering the attention intended by managers, the display can be changed out rather than taking up space. New displays can be set up or changed out to get the desired effect. Another advantage that a VisiPlus retail traffic counting system offers is being able to determine electronic article surveillance activity at your entrance/exits. If you can take steps to make your theft prevention efforts more effective, you not only drive down merchandise shrink, you send thieves to other stores.
I’ve spent a lot of time already talking about advantages of a retail counting system, specifically Checkpoint’s VisiPlus customer counting system, but I do need to take a minute to explain what it is. VisiPlus is a retail traffic counting system that is attached to your Checkpoint electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas and collects information on the number of customers entering and exiting the store, and EAS alarm activity that takes place. You will receive reports that break down patron traffic by time of day. The information can aid a management team in creating better scheduling models to help make a better customer service environment. More employees at the times of heaviest customer traffic translate to improved sales as cashiers are available to checkout patrons with less wait time. There will also be more employees available to assist on the salesfloor. This in turn improves the ability to help customers find what they are looking for and increased salesfloor coverage also serves to deter shoplifters who seek out stores where there is little or no attention paid to customers. The VisiPlus system also has overhead sensors that can be installed in strategic salesfloor areas to assist in tracking foot traffic near promotional displays.
I now want to get back to the topic of a door counting sensor reducing shrink and improving profits. If a store is practicing good electronic article surveillance alarm response at the front doors, they are keeping a log of alarm activations and the causes of those alarms. Having worked as a Loss Prevention Manager for many years, I know that many alarms were not recorded in our log book. I rarely had a true picture of exactly how many alarms were activated during the day and, therefore, could not measure whether our supervisors or cashiers were responding to alarms properly. It also made it difficult to determine if I was experiencing any malfunction issues with our EAS antennas. The VisiPlus door counting sensor records EAS alarm activations in a daily report. Management can use the report information compared to the alarm response book and determine if alarms are being properly addressed. If not, retraining can be conducted for front end employees. They can also look for indications of excessive alarms that could be indicative of system problems. Since the report breaks down activity by time of day, possible theft trends can be determined and action plans created to stem the issues.
A door counting sensor doesn’t have to be limited to the traditional idea of a retail traffic counting system only numbering the people entering and leaving your business. A customer counting system can help you increase sales and decrease theft with accurate data reporting and timeline breakdowns. Count on more from your customer counting system than just people, count on sales growth too!
Need information on a retail traffic counting system? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
In Part 1 of this 2 part series I discussed the potential for customer counting systems to help improve in-store marketing efforts by taking advantage of data that can be provided by a VisiPlus people counting system. Overhead sensors can be strategically installed in locations where high profile displays or endcaps may be set up to attract customers and generate sales. If information from these sensors determines that foot traffic is not increasing or garnering the attention intended by managers, the display can be changed out rather than taking up space. New displays can be set up or changed out to get the desired effect. Another advantage that a VisiPlus retail traffic counting system offers is being able to determine electronic article surveillance activity at your entrance/exits. If you can take steps to make your theft prevention efforts more effective, you not only drive down merchandise shrink, you send thieves to other stores.
I’ve spent a lot of time already talking about advantages of a retail counting system, specifically Checkpoint’s VisiPlus customer counting system, but I do need to take a minute to explain what it is. VisiPlus is a retail traffic counting system that is attached to your Checkpoint electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas and collects information on the number of customers entering and exiting the store, and EAS alarm activity that takes place. You will receive reports that break down patron traffic by time of day. The information can aid a management team in creating better scheduling models to help make a better customer service environment. More employees at the times of heaviest customer traffic translate to improved sales as cashiers are available to checkout patrons with less wait time. There will also be more employees available to assist on the salesfloor. This in turn improves the ability to help customers find what they are looking for and increased salesfloor coverage also serves to deter shoplifters who seek out stores where there is little or no attention paid to customers. The VisiPlus system also has overhead sensors that can be installed in strategic salesfloor areas to assist in tracking foot traffic near promotional displays.
I now want to get back to the topic of a door counting sensor reducing shrink and improving profits. If a store is practicing good electronic article surveillance alarm response at the front doors, they are keeping a log of alarm activations and the causes of those alarms. Having worked as a Loss Prevention Manager for many years, I know that many alarms were not recorded in our log book. I rarely had a true picture of exactly how many alarms were activated during the day and, therefore, could not measure whether our supervisors or cashiers were responding to alarms properly. It also made it difficult to determine if I was experiencing any malfunction issues with our EAS antennas. The VisiPlus door counting sensor records EAS alarm activations in a daily report. Management can use the report information compared to the alarm response book and determine if alarms are being properly addressed. If not, retraining can be conducted for front end employees. They can also look for indications of excessive alarms that could be indicative of system problems. Since the report breaks down activity by time of day, possible theft trends can be determined and action plans created to stem the issues.
A door counting sensor doesn’t have to be limited to the traditional idea of a retail traffic counting system only numbering the people entering and leaving your business. A customer counting system can help you increase sales and decrease theft with accurate data reporting and timeline breakdowns. Count on more from your customer counting system than just people, count on sales growth too!
Need information on a retail traffic counting system? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Checkpoint security system-4 WC blog 283
Checkpoint tags-4
Stop shoplifting-3
Inventory Time Does Not Have To Be Intimidating; A Checkpoint Security System And A Few Tips Can Lead To Great Results – Part 2
In part 1 of this two-part series on tips for preparing for a successful inventory I touched on the importance of meeting with an Inventory Team Leader prior to your store inventory date. This is the time to make sure questions about the inventory process are answered; both parties share their expectations of the other for breaks, package checks, the order of how things will be inventoried and what the store needs to do to prep the merchandise and departments. A successful inventory requires the store and the inventory crew to act as a single team. I also discussed briefly how a store with a Checkpoint security system benefits not only from how it can stop shoplifting during the year but the night of inventory it can prevent employee and vendor theft. If a dishonest inventory crew member or a store employee tries to exit with concealed merchandise protected by Checkpoint tags, an electronic article surveillance antenna will detect the tags and the alarm will activate. Yes, I have seen it work on inventory nights.
If you missed part 1, a quick review of what a Checkpoint security system is and how it operates is in order. A Checkpoint system includes everything from electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas positioned at entrance/exit doors, hardware at checkout counters that deactivates soft Checkpoint tags and detachment tools to remove hard Checkpoint tags. The tags are designed to set off the EAS antennas when the protected merchandise is carried too close to the doors. Most theft can be deterred just by protecting merchandise and when a thief does attempt to steal, the alarm activation alerts store staff to respond and recover items or the would be shoplifter drops the items. When you stop shoplifting with a Checkpoint system during the course of the year inventory results improve and add profit to the store.
Doing all you can to prevent employee theft and stop shoplifting is crucial to good stock shortage results but once you hit inventory time, it is a matter of doing all you can to ensure you get an accurate count. Whether the store is using an outside inventory company or using their own employees, there are preparations that can increase the likelihood you will get a more accurate count:
• Use prep time to ensure the Checkpoint Security system is working and leave time to have a service call placed if necessary.
• Clothes on tables should be turned so the barcode faces out, it makes each piece easier to scan for the inventory crew and means there will be less straightening to do later.
• Inventory teams don’t straighten after counting so having hang tags easy to get to creates less of a mess. I mentioned clothing above, but don’t forget bath towels and wash clothes also.
• Make sure all merchandise on a peghook is the same SKU. Though each item should be scanned, many times during inventory the first item is scanned and the inventory team member keys in the quantity of items on the peg, regardless of whether there are different SKU’s.
• Use prep time to ensure everything has a scannable barcode and if items are missing Checkpoint tags, this is the perfect time to catch it and fix it.
• Does your store have non-working displays? If so, be sure these are marked with DNI (Do Not Inventory) tags.
• Make sure working model displays taken from store inventory are counted.
• If you sell food, it would be beneficial to check for dates as your team preps and also look for cans with loose labels and tape the labels or have a cart set aside for merchandise you will manually count or do a financial inventory sheet on.
• Stores selling food should also ask the vendors to help prepare by giving store credits for merchandise that isn’t selling and take it out of the building. It will help move product and tidy up stockroom space.
• If the store sells jewelry, keeping name brands together by price point can make auditing easier to determine where a counting error may have occurred.
• AUDIT! I can’t stress enough the importance of auditing behind the inventory counters. Whether you are using an outside agency or your own employees. When a counter is identified who continually makes errors, it should already be agreed with the inventory leader that counter will be removed from the store.
• If people leave the building for breaks, have a manager or security monitor the doors in case the Checkpoint security system alarms.
Following these tips can help you enjoy a smooth inventory night and experience more accurate results.
Get more information on Checkpoint tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
In part 1 of this two-part series on tips for preparing for a successful inventory I touched on the importance of meeting with an Inventory Team Leader prior to your store inventory date. This is the time to make sure questions about the inventory process are answered; both parties share their expectations of the other for breaks, package checks, the order of how things will be inventoried and what the store needs to do to prep the merchandise and departments. A successful inventory requires the store and the inventory crew to act as a single team. I also discussed briefly how a store with a Checkpoint security system benefits not only from how it can stop shoplifting during the year but the night of inventory it can prevent employee and vendor theft. If a dishonest inventory crew member or a store employee tries to exit with concealed merchandise protected by Checkpoint tags, an electronic article surveillance antenna will detect the tags and the alarm will activate. Yes, I have seen it work on inventory nights.
If you missed part 1, a quick review of what a Checkpoint security system is and how it operates is in order. A Checkpoint system includes everything from electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas positioned at entrance/exit doors, hardware at checkout counters that deactivates soft Checkpoint tags and detachment tools to remove hard Checkpoint tags. The tags are designed to set off the EAS antennas when the protected merchandise is carried too close to the doors. Most theft can be deterred just by protecting merchandise and when a thief does attempt to steal, the alarm activation alerts store staff to respond and recover items or the would be shoplifter drops the items. When you stop shoplifting with a Checkpoint system during the course of the year inventory results improve and add profit to the store.
Doing all you can to prevent employee theft and stop shoplifting is crucial to good stock shortage results but once you hit inventory time, it is a matter of doing all you can to ensure you get an accurate count. Whether the store is using an outside inventory company or using their own employees, there are preparations that can increase the likelihood you will get a more accurate count:
• Use prep time to ensure the Checkpoint Security system is working and leave time to have a service call placed if necessary.
• Clothes on tables should be turned so the barcode faces out, it makes each piece easier to scan for the inventory crew and means there will be less straightening to do later.
• Inventory teams don’t straighten after counting so having hang tags easy to get to creates less of a mess. I mentioned clothing above, but don’t forget bath towels and wash clothes also.
• Make sure all merchandise on a peghook is the same SKU. Though each item should be scanned, many times during inventory the first item is scanned and the inventory team member keys in the quantity of items on the peg, regardless of whether there are different SKU’s.
• Use prep time to ensure everything has a scannable barcode and if items are missing Checkpoint tags, this is the perfect time to catch it and fix it.
• Does your store have non-working displays? If so, be sure these are marked with DNI (Do Not Inventory) tags.
• Make sure working model displays taken from store inventory are counted.
• If you sell food, it would be beneficial to check for dates as your team preps and also look for cans with loose labels and tape the labels or have a cart set aside for merchandise you will manually count or do a financial inventory sheet on.
• Stores selling food should also ask the vendors to help prepare by giving store credits for merchandise that isn’t selling and take it out of the building. It will help move product and tidy up stockroom space.
• If the store sells jewelry, keeping name brands together by price point can make auditing easier to determine where a counting error may have occurred.
• AUDIT! I can’t stress enough the importance of auditing behind the inventory counters. Whether you are using an outside agency or your own employees. When a counter is identified who continually makes errors, it should already be agreed with the inventory leader that counter will be removed from the store.
• If people leave the building for breaks, have a manager or security monitor the doors in case the Checkpoint security system alarms.Following these tips can help you enjoy a smooth inventory night and experience more accurate results.
Get more information on Checkpoint tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
I remember the days I worked for a big box retailer as a Loss Prevention Manager and the first LCD televisions came on the market. We put out our new displays and kept the sellable merchandise in the stockroom. That was fine with me there were fewer chances for an employee to sneak one out than for a shoplifter to roll one out if they had access to it on the salesfloor. Then the day came that all Loss Prevention Managers dread, someone up in “headquarters” sends down plans for an endcap of LCD televisions! I am sure I was wondering who it was that had lost their mind. We did put them out as required and I don’t recall whether that first display led to any theft attempts, I am sure it contributed to sales. Later, as more brands were carried and prices started to come down a little, more televisions were on open displays and we did start to experience roll-out attempts (and some known thefts). We did apply electronic article surveillance tags to deter shoplifting but we did not have any other retail anti-theft devices we could use, that is, until Alpha Spider Wrap became available to use through our company.
Alpha Security has quite a number of tools in their arsenal of retail anti-theft devices and Alpha Spider Wrap is one that I really like. It provides versatility to retailers in efforts to stop theft and improve stock shortage results. Spider wrap comes in 2 alarm and 3 alarm versions. The 2 alarm models have tamper alarms that sound if someone attempts to cut the aircraft grade cables and they cause electronic article surveillance alarms to activate if they are carried too close to the antennas at the exits. 3 alarm models have the same features with the additional benefit that if someone continues past the EAS antennas, the wrap has a built in alarm that is activated and sounds even as a thief tries to move away from the building. Alpha Security has improved the product since I first started using it when we only had 2 sizes to choose from, small and large. Today they range from lengths of only 32 inches all the way to 132 inches. It also used to be a little unwieldy to get an Alpha Spider Wrap loosened to apply to a new piece of merchandise, wires twisted and tangled and releasing the cable could be a bit difficult. Wraps today have no-tangle cables and push button releases. I use these in the store I currently work for and find it faster and easier to protect products than my first experiences with them.
With today’s versions of Alpha Spider Wrap I see big box retail stores protecting full pallet displays of televisions ranging from $130 to $600. Even the biggest televisions are on the floor as enterprising Loss Prevention staff have figured out that two Spider Wrap retail anti-theft devices can be connected together to provide protection. Customers can load their own merchandise, continue to shop and check out when they are ready to do so.
You may be thinking that this is great for the big box stores that have lots of employees to give customer service, but how does this help a smaller business owner? Consider this, a big box retailer actually has enough staff that they should be able to go to a stockroom and pull a television for a customer and not hinder their ability to provide service to their customers. Despite this advantage, they have found it improves sales to give customers direct access to the merchandise. The big box store is still protecting the merchandise even though it is not locked up. If you use Alpha Spider Wraps you protect your merchandise the same way and your limited staff does not have to leave the salesfloor to retrieve merchandise. The employees of your store can focus on customers who need information or other assistance thereby driving sales through great customer service.
The world of retail for brick and mortar stores is getting more challenging with many shoppers going to online retailers for their purchases. While it is important to stop theft and protect profit margin, it is also important to recognize that today’s shopper expects fast service and does not like to wait. Alpha retail anti-theft devices provide product protection you want and give customers the quick access to products they desire. Let Alpha Security products keep your business competitive and profitable now and in the future.
Alpha Spider Wrap is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547and let’s talk.
Clothing Security-5 WC Blog 297
Security Tags on Clothes-4
Checkpoint Tags-4
Clothing Security Audits Aid In Identifying Merchandise Protection Opportunities And Theft Prevention
In Loss Prevention we regularly talk about inventory and auditing of merchandise. We check on hand counts of high theft products to ensure we aren’t missing any. We participate in store inventories to help make sure counting is accurate and the best results possible are achieved. In my store we used to audit such things as i-pods, big ticket vacuums, video game consoles, certain cold medicines and when we started carrying them, leather coats and jackets. Auditing helped to identify theft issues quickly and correct deficiencies in our theft strategy. Areas that can be easily overlooked but are just as important to audit are clothing security measures. Management and Loss Prevention can count high dollar items all day long, but identifying that something is missing does not help the shortage that has been incurred. A regular audit of security tags on clothes is more helpful in preventing theft in the first place.
Checkpoint tags on clothing deter shoplifting since most thieves don’t want to chance activating electronic article surveillance (EAS) alarm antennas. Located at the front doors of a store as part of a Checkpoint system, the EAS antennas receive the radio frequency signals emitting from clothing security tags. This initiates an alarm and flashing LED lights built into the antenna, alerting store staff that someone is attempting to exit with unpaid merchandise. A thief doesn’t want that attention and often times avoids stores when they see EAS antennas as they walk in. The more daring shoplifter may try to walk out with security tags on clothes but as the alarm sounds these crooks frequently drop the merchandise and run. Finally, there are the shoplifters who will try to locate Checkpoint tags on garments. If they don’t find tags they will put on the clothing or conceal it in a bag, purse or on their person and walk out. If these folks do find tags they try to remove them and then exit the store to avoid alarms.
Some of those reading this article may be asking how a shoplifter knows if clothing is tagged. Security tags on clothes can be hard tags that are pinned to the item in a prominent location so it CAN be seen and deter theft. Then there are soft tags that come on a roll and can be peeled off and stuck to a manufacturer hang tag. Some companies have Checkpoint tags embedded in the hang tag so it can’t be seen. There are shoplifters who have become educated on this and will take off manufacturer labels just in case there might be clothing security tags hidden in them. In order to be one step ahead of the bad guys there are Loss Prevention teams that will put a hard tag on a piece of clothing, in addition to a soft tag that is embedded in the label. Another trick is to hide a second soft clothing security tag inside a coat or pants pocket. If one label is discovered it is unlikely the second one will be.
As I discussed at the beginning of my article, auditing of security tags on clothes can be a missed opportunity to be sure merchandise is protected against shoplifters. I recommend deciding how frequently you want to check for tagging accuracy and then divide the store in sections and audit a section a day. Checkpoint has two portable verifiers that are excellent for scanning merchandise and determining if it has an active tag on it, even an embedded or hidden tag. Auditing provides an opportunity to tag merchandise that is not protected or has been deactivated, say for instance when a customer rings up an item and changes their mind and the cashier has already run it over a deactivation pad. Auditing also helps to locate areas of the store that may not be getting tagged properly and can be an area of focus for a shortage reduction plan.
Checkpoint tags are an effective means of reducing clothing shortage and improving store profits. The flip side is they are only as effective as the tagging program is that you have in place. Be sure you are protecting all of your merchandise and enjoying the benefits of clothing security. Audit your merchandise on a regular basis and keep your store on track for fantastic inventory results.
Clothing security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
In Loss Prevention we regularly talk about inventory and auditing of merchandise. We check on hand counts of high theft products to ensure we aren’t missing any. We participate in store inventories to help make sure counting is accurate and the best results possible are achieved. In my store we used to audit such things as i-pods, big ticket vacuums, video game consoles, certain cold medicines and when we started carrying them, leather coats and jackets. Auditing helped to identify theft issues quickly and correct deficiencies in our theft strategy. Areas that can be easily overlooked but are just as important to audit are clothing security measures. Management and Loss Prevention can count high dollar items all day long, but identifying that something is missing does not help the shortage that has been incurred. A regular audit of security tags on clothes is more helpful in preventing theft in the first place.
Checkpoint tags on clothing deter shoplifting since most thieves don’t want to chance activating electronic article surveillance (EAS) alarm antennas. Located at the front doors of a store as part of a Checkpoint system, the EAS antennas receive the radio frequency signals emitting from clothing security tags. This initiates an alarm and flashing LED lights built into the antenna, alerting store staff that someone is attempting to exit with unpaid merchandise. A thief doesn’t want that attention and often times avoids stores when they see EAS antennas as they walk in. The more daring shoplifter may try to walk out with security tags on clothes but as the alarm sounds these crooks frequently drop the merchandise and run. Finally, there are the shoplifters who will try to locate Checkpoint tags on garments. If they don’t find tags they will put on the clothing or conceal it in a bag, purse or on their person and walk out. If these folks do find tags they try to remove them and then exit the store to avoid alarms.
Some of those reading this article may be asking how a shoplifter knows if clothing is tagged. Security tags on clothes can be hard tags that are pinned to the item in a prominent location so it CAN be seen and deter theft. Then there are soft tags that come on a roll and can be peeled off and stuck to a manufacturer hang tag. Some companies have Checkpoint tags embedded in the hang tag so it can’t be seen. There are shoplifters who have become educated on this and will take off manufacturer labels just in case there might be clothing security tags hidden in them. In order to be one step ahead of the bad guys there are Loss Prevention teams that will put a hard tag on a piece of clothing, in addition to a soft tag that is embedded in the label. Another trick is to hide a second soft clothing security tag inside a coat or pants pocket. If one label is discovered it is unlikely the second one will be.
As I discussed at the beginning of my article, auditing of security tags on clothes can be a missed opportunity to be sure merchandise is protected against shoplifters. I recommend deciding how frequently you want to check for tagging accuracy and then divide the store in sections and audit a section a day. Checkpoint has two portable verifiers that are excellent for scanning merchandise and determining if it has an active tag on it, even an embedded or hidden tag. Auditing provides an opportunity to tag merchandise that is not protected or has been deactivated, say for instance when a customer rings up an item and changes their mind and the cashier has already run it over a deactivation pad. Auditing also helps to locate areas of the store that may not be getting tagged properly and can be an area of focus for a shortage reduction plan.
Checkpoint tags are an effective means of reducing clothing shortage and improving store profits. The flip side is they are only as effective as the tagging program is that you have in place. Be sure you are protecting all of your merchandise and enjoying the benefits of clothing security. Audit your merchandise on a regular basis and keep your store on track for fantastic inventory results.
Clothing security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Auto Peg Tag-5 WC Blog 259
Electronic Article Surveillance-3
Stop Shoplifting-4
Checkpoint Hard Tags-4
Battered By Battery Theft? Auto Peg Tags Help You Battle Back Against Bad Guys
For retailers, there are some items that get stolen and on the surface it seems the items are stolen at random. Having worked in Retail Loss Prevention for many years I learned that sometimes what appears to be random may actually have wider implications. For example, I once started to see an increase in the theft of certain high blood pressure cold medicines. Initially I thought the thefts were professionals boosting for resale on the black market. After partnering with police friends, I learned that the medicines were stolen by teenagers to get high. I also began learning about the dangers associated with the abuse of these medicines which was another scary prospect. I learned to start looking a little harder when theft trends appeared. While professional boosting may be part of a problem, there may be a darker motivation behind the theft of certain items. Unfortunately, many times retailers are reactive rather than proactive and try to protect merchandise after a theft trend has cost money and shortage. Rather than wait to stop shoplifting until a problem crops up, stores could use Checkpoint hard tags on products now to prevent a problem from starting. A good example of this would be to use the Auto Peg Tag on packages of batteries.
An Auto Peg Tag is an effective means to stop shoplifting while still keeping merchandise readily available for customers to pick up and carry to a checkout counter. These Checkpoint hard tags fit over the peg hole of a package and snap closed. It can only be removed with a detachment tool at a checkout counter. The tags are designed with electronic article surveillance technology built into them so they will cause an electronic article surveillance antenna to activate if a protected package is carried too close to the antenna. Few shoplifters want to risk setting off an alarm and draw attention to them. The bright color of the Auto Peg Tag alerts potential thieves that the package is protected and has EAS technology. Like other Checkpoint Hard Tags, the visual deterrence value alone helps to stop shoplifting of merchandise from a store.
What product is it that may be a target of thieves in your store and you aren’t even aware of it? For the purposes of this article, my concern is the need to protect packages of batteries, especially lithium batteries. Yes, batteries in general are expensive and can be profitable for simple resale, but you may not be aware that lithium batteries in particular are used as an ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine. According to the United States Department of Justice Archive, “The ingredients that are used in the process of making meth can include: …drain cleaner, battery acid and lithium (taken from inside batteries).” https://www.justice.gov/archive/olp/methawareness/ . If your store is seeing shortage in this area, the reason may be they are contributing to a major drug problem in the U.S.
So while most people are aware of the restrictions that have been placed on pseudoephedrine due to the use of it in making methamphetamine, many don’t realize lithium batteries are also key components. Because this is an important part of the process, lithium batteries are a high theft item. If you carry these batteries you may want to take another look at your peghooks to see just how instock you are. If you do not seem to have an issue, now would be the time to look at Checkpoint hard tags for protection. If you have already been impacted it is better to invest in the Auto Peg Tags now and stop shoplifting from continuing to hurt your business.
Use the protection of electronic article surveillance and Auto Peg Tags on all of your pegged merchandise, but I truly urge you to focus on your lithium batteries. You can improve your stock shortage results and possibly help to curb a drug epidemic.
Get more information on Auto Peg Tags. Contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
For retailers, there are some items that get stolen and on the surface it seems the items are stolen at random. Having worked in Retail Loss Prevention for many years I learned that sometimes what appears to be random may actually have wider implications. For example, I once started to see an increase in the theft of certain high blood pressure cold medicines. Initially I thought the thefts were professionals boosting for resale on the black market. After partnering with police friends, I learned that the medicines were stolen by teenagers to get high. I also began learning about the dangers associated with the abuse of these medicines which was another scary prospect. I learned to start looking a little harder when theft trends appeared. While professional boosting may be part of a problem, there may be a darker motivation behind the theft of certain items. Unfortunately, many times retailers are reactive rather than proactive and try to protect merchandise after a theft trend has cost money and shortage. Rather than wait to stop shoplifting until a problem crops up, stores could use Checkpoint hard tags on products now to prevent a problem from starting. A good example of this would be to use the Auto Peg Tag on packages of batteries.
An Auto Peg Tag is an effective means to stop shoplifting while still keeping merchandise readily available for customers to pick up and carry to a checkout counter. These Checkpoint hard tags fit over the peg hole of a package and snap closed. It can only be removed with a detachment tool at a checkout counter. The tags are designed with electronic article surveillance technology built into them so they will cause an electronic article surveillance antenna to activate if a protected package is carried too close to the antenna. Few shoplifters want to risk setting off an alarm and draw attention to them. The bright color of the Auto Peg Tag alerts potential thieves that the package is protected and has EAS technology. Like other Checkpoint Hard Tags, the visual deterrence value alone helps to stop shoplifting of merchandise from a store.
What product is it that may be a target of thieves in your store and you aren’t even aware of it? For the purposes of this article, my concern is the need to protect packages of batteries, especially lithium batteries. Yes, batteries in general are expensive and can be profitable for simple resale, but you may not be aware that lithium batteries in particular are used as an ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine. According to the United States Department of Justice Archive, “The ingredients that are used in the process of making meth can include: …drain cleaner, battery acid and lithium (taken from inside batteries).” https://www.justice.gov/archive/olp/methawareness/ . If your store is seeing shortage in this area, the reason may be they are contributing to a major drug problem in the U.S.
So while most people are aware of the restrictions that have been placed on pseudoephedrine due to the use of it in making methamphetamine, many don’t realize lithium batteries are also key components. Because this is an important part of the process, lithium batteries are a high theft item. If you carry these batteries you may want to take another look at your peghooks to see just how instock you are. If you do not seem to have an issue, now would be the time to look at Checkpoint hard tags for protection. If you have already been impacted it is better to invest in the Auto Peg Tags now and stop shoplifting from continuing to hurt your business.
Use the protection of electronic article surveillance and Auto Peg Tags on all of your pegged merchandise, but I truly urge you to focus on your lithium batteries. You can improve your stock shortage results and possibly help to curb a drug epidemic.
Get more information on Auto Peg Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
5 REASONS TO NOT USE ALPHA KEEPERS
Reason #5 – You Have a Unwavering Right to Freshness.
That’s right. This is America and you are entitled to so many things, chief amongst them is the right to freshness. If you want some perfume or cologne, you go out and buy it. If you don’t have any money (or maybe you have money and just don’t want to spend it), you steal it. If you’re a store that sells what I need to stay fresh, I can’t steal from you if your protect fragrance with some sort of security non-sense. You wouldn’t stifle my right to free speech, so don’t try to limit my ability to steal some cologne with your Alpha Keeper madness!
Reason #4 – You Owe Your Employees a Freebie Once in a While.
A paycheck and steady income is not enough these days. Your employees have a right to steal from you, whether you like it or not. You can’t possibly think you can limit their financial gains, can you? One of the best gifts you can get yourself is some cologne or perfume. As a retailer, you need to allow your employees to just take whatever they want, whenever they want it. Don’t you even think about using alpha keepers for those pricey bottles of smell good solution? That would just stop your employees from stealing it! What’s even worse is if they can’t steal it from you, they just might quit and go to another company where it’s easier to steal!
Reason #3 – Can You Really Trust Something That Can be Reused?
Look, there really has to be a “one and done” mentality when it comes to ways to protect fragrance. I don’t know about you, but I don’t trust anything that doesn’t break the first time I use it. Are Alpha Keepers made of some sort of governmentally created super plastic? Do you really want something that durable and long-lasting in your store? Who knows what’s really inside. I’d much rather just place my stock of cologne and perfume on the shelf and rely solely on the honor system than to use an Alpha Keeper that’s going to give me a return on investment.
Reason #2 – You Actually Want a Small Percentage of Criminals in Your Store for Street Credit.
Everyone knows that if you want higher foot traffic, you have to get celebrities, professional athletes and other infamous figures to get caught shop(lifting) in your store. Just think about what Winona did for 5th Avenue stock! Wouldn’t you want that kind of exposure in your store? Wouldn’t it be great for sales if Christina came in one day and just boosted the mess out of her perfume line? You’re not going to get the attention you deserve if you do something crazy like protect fragrance with some simple security measure.
Reason #1 – It’s Too Hard and Time Consuming to Use Simple Plastic Boxes
Seriously though. What do you really expect out of your team? Can you really expect them to go through the arduous task of opening an Alpha Keeper, placing the fragrance in the box and then putting it all the way back on the shelf every single time? That’s like three whole steps that will probably take AT LEAST 15 seconds. People have lives and can’t be bothered with such routine tasks in the work place, no matter how much money it could save you. Your employees have better things to do, like check their social media accounts and hold long personal conversations with other employees. I mean it is your fault anyway if fragrances are stolen; you’re the one that made the decision to carry a high theft item, not them, right?
For more information about Alpha Keepers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
Reason #5 – You Have a Unwavering Right to Freshness.
That’s right. This is America and you are entitled to so many things, chief amongst them is the right to freshness. If you want some perfume or cologne, you go out and buy it. If you don’t have any money (or maybe you have money and just don’t want to spend it), you steal it. If you’re a store that sells what I need to stay fresh, I can’t steal from you if your protect fragrance with some sort of security non-sense. You wouldn’t stifle my right to free speech, so don’t try to limit my ability to steal some cologne with your Alpha Keeper madness!
Reason #4 – You Owe Your Employees a Freebie Once in a While.
A paycheck and steady income is not enough these days. Your employees have a right to steal from you, whether you like it or not. You can’t possibly think you can limit their financial gains, can you? One of the best gifts you can get yourself is some cologne or perfume. As a retailer, you need to allow your employees to just take whatever they want, whenever they want it. Don’t you even think about using alpha keepers for those pricey bottles of smell good solution? That would just stop your employees from stealing it! What’s even worse is if they can’t steal it from you, they just might quit and go to another company where it’s easier to steal!
Reason #3 – Can You Really Trust Something That Can be Reused?
Look, there really has to be a “one and done” mentality when it comes to ways to protect fragrance. I don’t know about you, but I don’t trust anything that doesn’t break the first time I use it. Are Alpha Keepers made of some sort of governmentally created super plastic? Do you really want something that durable and long-lasting in your store? Who knows what’s really inside. I’d much rather just place my stock of cologne and perfume on the shelf and rely solely on the honor system than to use an Alpha Keeper that’s going to give me a return on investment.
Reason #2 – You Actually Want a Small Percentage of Criminals in Your Store for Street Credit.
Everyone knows that if you want higher foot traffic, you have to get celebrities, professional athletes and other infamous figures to get caught shop(lifting) in your store. Just think about what Winona did for 5th Avenue stock! Wouldn’t you want that kind of exposure in your store? Wouldn’t it be great for sales if Christina came in one day and just boosted the mess out of her perfume line? You’re not going to get the attention you deserve if you do something crazy like protect fragrance with some simple security measure.
Reason #1 – It’s Too Hard and Time Consuming to Use Simple Plastic Boxes
Seriously though. What do you really expect out of your team? Can you really expect them to go through the arduous task of opening an Alpha Keeper, placing the fragrance in the box and then putting it all the way back on the shelf every single time? That’s like three whole steps that will probably take AT LEAST 15 seconds. People have lives and can’t be bothered with such routine tasks in the work place, no matter how much money it could save you. Your employees have better things to do, like check their social media accounts and hold long personal conversations with other employees. I mean it is your fault anyway if fragrances are stolen; you’re the one that made the decision to carry a high theft item, not them, right?
For more information about Alpha Keepers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
