AA Blog 29
EAS Tags: 5
Stop Shoplifting: 3
Don’t Wait For the Unthinkable To Happen, Protect Yourself With EAS Tags
I have worked in loss prevention for many years and have worked in stores that had security systems and some that didn’t. Obviously I am a proponent of security, and think retailers who fail to protect themselves, are left completely vulnerable to theft. I know that many businesses don’t think the cost of security is worth the money, but I am here to tell you that added security will pay for itself in the long run. Having a security system is the best means to stop shoplifting, especially when combined with loss prevention personnel. We had a customer that used to shop in one of our stores all the time. He would always bring in his own recyclable bag and shop with it. He would place all of his shopping items into the bag that he brought and use it as a shopping basket in a sense. He would then remove the items from the bag and pay for the items. He would then place the paid for items back into his shopping bag he brought in. This seemed somewhat strange, but Loss Prevention was not observing any obvious activity that would warrant further investigation. This went on for years, and at the time we didn’t have any EAS tags or labels on our merchandise.
Several years later, we got a new manager who convinced the “powers that be” that we needed additional security in the store. Later that year we began adding security tags and labels to some of our high priced merchandise. Soon after we started this process, our shopper was caught shoplifting merchandise from our store. We learned that every time he emptied his items from his personal shopping bag, he was leaving several small high priced items in the bag, and then concealing those items with the purchased items. We stopped this shoplifter with the use of an EAS tag that had been added to a package of razor blade refills. We discovered approximately $100 in stolen property in his possession. It really made me angry to think about how many times this had to of occurred over the last five years or more. It is estimated that we lost $50,000 in merchandise from this one person. If that doesn’t open your eyes to your risk, I don’t know what will.
These tags are a great way to secure all your merchandise and stop shoplifting in your stores. Tags come in various shapes and sizes to adapt to all your retail needs. They are an inexpensive way to secure your property. EAS tags are equipped with the latest technology, which will alert store personnel when someone leaves the store with merchandise, which has not been paid for. Tags can be easily deactivated at the time of sale, making it a convenient way to reduce your loss, and increase profit. These tags are durable and difficult to remove without setting off an alarm or damaging the product. Tags can be used on various types of products and will not damage or alter the product in anyway.
I learned a very hard lesson with this experience. Although there is a small amount of upfront cost to equip your store with EAS tags, they provide an obvious return on investment. Unfortunately not everyone gets to immediately see the cost-savings, because deterrence can’t be measured, and not everyone gets the opportunity to identify a career shoplifter. Don’t wait like we did, stop shoplifting by protecting your property and safeguarding your investment.
Need information on EAS tags? Give us a call at1.770.426.0547 now.
I have worked in loss prevention for many years and have worked in stores that had security systems and some that didn’t. Obviously I am a proponent of security, and think retailers who fail to protect themselves, are left completely vulnerable to theft. I know that many businesses don’t think the cost of security is worth the money, but I am here to tell you that added security will pay for itself in the long run. Having a security system is the best means to stop shoplifting, especially when combined with loss prevention personnel. We had a customer that used to shop in one of our stores all the time. He would always bring in his own recyclable bag and shop with it. He would place all of his shopping items into the bag that he brought and use it as a shopping basket in a sense. He would then remove the items from the bag and pay for the items. He would then place the paid for items back into his shopping bag he brought in. This seemed somewhat strange, but Loss Prevention was not observing any obvious activity that would warrant further investigation. This went on for years, and at the time we didn’t have any EAS tags or labels on our merchandise.
Several years later, we got a new manager who convinced the “powers that be” that we needed additional security in the store. Later that year we began adding security tags and labels to some of our high priced merchandise. Soon after we started this process, our shopper was caught shoplifting merchandise from our store. We learned that every time he emptied his items from his personal shopping bag, he was leaving several small high priced items in the bag, and then concealing those items with the purchased items. We stopped this shoplifter with the use of an EAS tag that had been added to a package of razor blade refills. We discovered approximately $100 in stolen property in his possession. It really made me angry to think about how many times this had to of occurred over the last five years or more. It is estimated that we lost $50,000 in merchandise from this one person. If that doesn’t open your eyes to your risk, I don’t know what will.
These tags are a great way to secure all your merchandise and stop shoplifting in your stores. Tags come in various shapes and sizes to adapt to all your retail needs. They are an inexpensive way to secure your property. EAS tags are equipped with the latest technology, which will alert store personnel when someone leaves the store with merchandise, which has not been paid for. Tags can be easily deactivated at the time of sale, making it a convenient way to reduce your loss, and increase profit. These tags are durable and difficult to remove without setting off an alarm or damaging the product. Tags can be used on various types of products and will not damage or alter the product in anyway.
I learned a very hard lesson with this experience. Although there is a small amount of upfront cost to equip your store with EAS tags, they provide an obvious return on investment. Unfortunately not everyone gets to immediately see the cost-savings, because deterrence can’t be measured, and not everyone gets the opportunity to identify a career shoplifter. Don’t wait like we did, stop shoplifting by protecting your property and safeguarding your investment.
Need information on EAS tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
