Checkpoint Security System-4 WC Blog 309
Checkpoint Tags-3
Stop Shoplifting-3
A Checkpoint System Delivers Shortage Reduction And Increased Sales Simultaneously
I recently read an article that made me want to shout “HALLELUJAH!” The article was discussing the suggestion some make that they can cover store merchandise shrinkage with increased sales. The writer did not discount the value of increasing sales to reduce the impact of shortage, but he made several cogent points that I found myself nodding in agreement to. In the article, “Relying on Sales Won’t Eliminate Causes of Shrinkage”, by Adam Smith, CFE, CFI, dated Feb 16, 2017 in LPMINSIDER magazine, Mr. Smith uses an illustration of a store with $1 million dollars in sales and a 2% shrinkage as a percent to sales. He demonstrates how an increase in sales does in fact reduce shrink, but likewise a store with declining sales sees an increase in shrink. A little further in the article he points out that it took “a 9% sales increase to break a .1% reduction in shrink” (emphasis mine). His overall point is that there has to be balance between increasing sales and a continued focus on shortage reduction. I agree with a strategy of driving sales and improving shrinkage and I would argue that stores can impact both when they invest in a Checkpoint Security System.
Retail theft prevention includes the deterrence of employee theft and efforts to stop shoplifting. A Checkpoint Security System involves the use of Checkpoint tags on products making it clear to would-be thieves that attempting to take an item will cause an alarm at a Checkpoint electronic article surveillance (EAS) tower near the front doors of a store. Since store associates are generally responsible for more theft than shoplifters, the tags act as a deterrent to them as much as they do to shoplifters. The EAS towers activate a loud alarm signal and flashing lights when Checkpoint tags are carried close to them. This alarm provides warning to sales associates that an attempt to steal may be in process and they can conduct receipt checks to recover merchandise before it is walked out the door. In this way they do stop shoplifting and demonstrate to criminals that the store takes theft seriously.
A Checkpoint security system is as much a sales driver as it is a reducer of shrink. Often stores lock up merchandise in display cases or reduce quantities of merchandise on a store shelf and it does work. It is more difficult to steal merchandise when it is in a showcase and limiting quantities on a shelf does reduce how much can be stolen at one time, however I can tell you from experience neither one will completely stop shoplifting or employee theft. It also hinders the customer’s access to merchandise and therefore has a negative impact on sales. Customers don’t want to wait for employees to come to their assistance to open a display case in order to browse merchandise. Often it is annoying to have to point to something, ask to look at it, then have it put back so you can look at the next item. Usually retailers allow no more than two items out of a lockup case at any given time so it is a back and forth game. When that locked up merchandise can be protected with retail theft prevention tags and devices and removed from a lock up display customers can browse at their convenience and carry items with them while they continue to shop. When they are ready they check out without waiting for an associate to bring an item to the checkout counter.
Reduced merchandise facings or quantities to deter theft can also limit the customer who may want more of an item but chooses not to look for help. Few people will wander through a store to find assistance to find out if there is more of an item in a stockroom. Today’s consumer tends to want in and out of a store in a hurry and has little patience for waiting. If the consumer sees they have picked up the last item, even if they wanted another they don’t wait to see if someone will check on it for them and the store loses that sale.
A Checkpoint Security System can stop shoplifting from taking place and reduce shortage in the process. Checkpoint tags can give you confidence to fill the salesfloor, improve store in-stocks and make merchandise accessible, leading to increased sales and profit.
Get more information on Checkpoint Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
I recently read an article that made me want to shout “HALLELUJAH!” The article was discussing the suggestion some make that they can cover store merchandise shrinkage with increased sales. The writer did not discount the value of increasing sales to reduce the impact of shortage, but he made several cogent points that I found myself nodding in agreement to. In the article, “Relying on Sales Won’t Eliminate Causes of Shrinkage”, by Adam Smith, CFE, CFI, dated Feb 16, 2017 in LPMINSIDER magazine, Mr. Smith uses an illustration of a store with $1 million dollars in sales and a 2% shrinkage as a percent to sales. He demonstrates how an increase in sales does in fact reduce shrink, but likewise a store with declining sales sees an increase in shrink. A little further in the article he points out that it took “a 9% sales increase to break a .1% reduction in shrink” (emphasis mine). His overall point is that there has to be balance between increasing sales and a continued focus on shortage reduction. I agree with a strategy of driving sales and improving shrinkage and I would argue that stores can impact both when they invest in a Checkpoint Security System.
Retail theft prevention includes the deterrence of employee theft and efforts to stop shoplifting. A Checkpoint Security System involves the use of Checkpoint tags on products making it clear to would-be thieves that attempting to take an item will cause an alarm at a Checkpoint electronic article surveillance (EAS) tower near the front doors of a store. Since store associates are generally responsible for more theft than shoplifters, the tags act as a deterrent to them as much as they do to shoplifters. The EAS towers activate a loud alarm signal and flashing lights when Checkpoint tags are carried close to them. This alarm provides warning to sales associates that an attempt to steal may be in process and they can conduct receipt checks to recover merchandise before it is walked out the door. In this way they do stop shoplifting and demonstrate to criminals that the store takes theft seriously.
A Checkpoint security system is as much a sales driver as it is a reducer of shrink. Often stores lock up merchandise in display cases or reduce quantities of merchandise on a store shelf and it does work. It is more difficult to steal merchandise when it is in a showcase and limiting quantities on a shelf does reduce how much can be stolen at one time, however I can tell you from experience neither one will completely stop shoplifting or employee theft. It also hinders the customer’s access to merchandise and therefore has a negative impact on sales. Customers don’t want to wait for employees to come to their assistance to open a display case in order to browse merchandise. Often it is annoying to have to point to something, ask to look at it, then have it put back so you can look at the next item. Usually retailers allow no more than two items out of a lockup case at any given time so it is a back and forth game. When that locked up merchandise can be protected with retail theft prevention tags and devices and removed from a lock up display customers can browse at their convenience and carry items with them while they continue to shop. When they are ready they check out without waiting for an associate to bring an item to the checkout counter.
Reduced merchandise facings or quantities to deter theft can also limit the customer who may want more of an item but chooses not to look for help. Few people will wander through a store to find assistance to find out if there is more of an item in a stockroom. Today’s consumer tends to want in and out of a store in a hurry and has little patience for waiting. If the consumer sees they have picked up the last item, even if they wanted another they don’t wait to see if someone will check on it for them and the store loses that sale.
A Checkpoint Security System can stop shoplifting from taking place and reduce shortage in the process. Checkpoint tags can give you confidence to fill the salesfloor, improve store in-stocks and make merchandise accessible, leading to increased sales and profit.
Get more information on Checkpoint Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Stop Shoplifting-3 WC Blog 310
Employee Theft-5
What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You; Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. Provides Employer Training To Combat Shoplifting And Employee Theft
Thieves! Everyone knows how easy it is to identify them, right? A shoplifter obviously stands…uhmm…they all weigh…hmmm…obviously they are all between the ages of…errr…exactly! All shoplifters look exactly like I just described them and they all steal the same things and do it the same way. See, it isn’t so hard to stop shoplifting after all. How big an issue can it be anyways? Well, according to the 2014-2015 Global Retail Theft Barometer, shoplifting accounted for approximately 36% of total store shortage in North America. Did I catch your attention with that statistic? Nearly 40 percent of the merchandise that you cannot account for following inventory is due to shoplifters stealing from you. Additionally, employee theft accounts for another 45% of your losses! How do you stop shoplifting? Where do you start to combat dishonest employee activity?
In order to prevent theft you have to know where to start looking and the indicators that give thieves away. As we already noted there is no way to look at someone and know they will steal, be it an employee or a shoplifter. You may not know where to start but there is professional training to reduce employee theft and help prevent shoplifting. The Loss Prevention Experts at Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. have the training programs available to help you understand shoplifters, how they act and how to stop shoplifting within the walls of your establishment. Training is also available to assist you in recognizing dishonest employee behavior, what the true impact of employee theft is on your business and how to handle situations as they occur.
I know you are probably thinking it can’t be THAT hard to tell if someone is stealing and that if you saw a person shoplifting you would just go up and get your stuff back. Well, hold your horses because it might not be as simple as it sounds. First, there are state laws about what constitutes shoplifting and you have to be in compliance with those laws before you accuse someone of theft. Second, you don’t know who it is you are approaching or what their state of mind is. It is not uncommon for a shoplifter to have some type of criminal history, to have a drug addiction or go into fight or flight mode when stopped. Approach someone the wrong way or say the wrong thing and you may find yourself on the wrong end of fight mode. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. training programs can give you the information you need to protect your store and improve profits, safely.
Employee theft is the other major reason for store merchandise shrinkage and profit loss. Your employees have more means open to them to steal from your business than the shoplifters. They have access to cash, credit cards, gift cards, time cards and obviously merchandise. They also have access to areas of your store that are off limits to your customers and shoplifters. Cleaning closets, employee lounges, employee restrooms, stock rooms and offices are all potential hiding places for the dishonest employee to do their dirty work. Have you ever thought to look for empty packages that may be hidden at the bottom of a trash can in the breakroom or employee restroom? No one wants to think their employees will steal from them but they rule of thumb in Loss Prevention when I first started in the career field was that roughly 1 in 10 employees will steal from your store. Employees can also cause a lot more damage over an extended period of time than a shoplifter. Shoplifters may hit hard on a single stop in your store, but employee theft can get you little chunks at a time over years!
Get the training you need to help you reduce shortage and improve the bottom line. Let Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. give you the knowledge that will help you counter dishonest employees and send shoplifters elsewhere.
Get more information on how to stop shoplifting, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Thieves! Everyone knows how easy it is to identify them, right? A shoplifter obviously stands…uhmm…they all weigh…hmmm…obviously they are all between the ages of…errr…exactly! All shoplifters look exactly like I just described them and they all steal the same things and do it the same way. See, it isn’t so hard to stop shoplifting after all. How big an issue can it be anyways? Well, according to the 2014-2015 Global Retail Theft Barometer, shoplifting accounted for approximately 36% of total store shortage in North America. Did I catch your attention with that statistic? Nearly 40 percent of the merchandise that you cannot account for following inventory is due to shoplifters stealing from you. Additionally, employee theft accounts for another 45% of your losses! How do you stop shoplifting? Where do you start to combat dishonest employee activity?
In order to prevent theft you have to know where to start looking and the indicators that give thieves away. As we already noted there is no way to look at someone and know they will steal, be it an employee or a shoplifter. You may not know where to start but there is professional training to reduce employee theft and help prevent shoplifting. The Loss Prevention Experts at Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. have the training programs available to help you understand shoplifters, how they act and how to stop shoplifting within the walls of your establishment. Training is also available to assist you in recognizing dishonest employee behavior, what the true impact of employee theft is on your business and how to handle situations as they occur.
I know you are probably thinking it can’t be THAT hard to tell if someone is stealing and that if you saw a person shoplifting you would just go up and get your stuff back. Well, hold your horses because it might not be as simple as it sounds. First, there are state laws about what constitutes shoplifting and you have to be in compliance with those laws before you accuse someone of theft. Second, you don’t know who it is you are approaching or what their state of mind is. It is not uncommon for a shoplifter to have some type of criminal history, to have a drug addiction or go into fight or flight mode when stopped. Approach someone the wrong way or say the wrong thing and you may find yourself on the wrong end of fight mode. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. training programs can give you the information you need to protect your store and improve profits, safely.
Employee theft is the other major reason for store merchandise shrinkage and profit loss. Your employees have more means open to them to steal from your business than the shoplifters. They have access to cash, credit cards, gift cards, time cards and obviously merchandise. They also have access to areas of your store that are off limits to your customers and shoplifters. Cleaning closets, employee lounges, employee restrooms, stock rooms and offices are all potential hiding places for the dishonest employee to do their dirty work. Have you ever thought to look for empty packages that may be hidden at the bottom of a trash can in the breakroom or employee restroom? No one wants to think their employees will steal from them but they rule of thumb in Loss Prevention when I first started in the career field was that roughly 1 in 10 employees will steal from your store. Employees can also cause a lot more damage over an extended period of time than a shoplifter. Shoplifters may hit hard on a single stop in your store, but employee theft can get you little chunks at a time over years!
Get the training you need to help you reduce shortage and improve the bottom line. Let Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. give you the knowledge that will help you counter dishonest employees and send shoplifters elsewhere.
Get more information on how to stop shoplifting, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
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.
Checkpoint tags- 4 WC Blog 282
Checkpoint security system-3
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 1
I believe that this year will be my 26th inventory I have participated in for stores I work for or have worked for. If I include stores I supported as a Loss Prevention Manager, I would estimate it is about my 35th inventory to participate in. I have seen inventories that have gone very smoothly and I have participated in some that were just plain headaches. I would like to spend some time in this article helping store managers and owners ensure they have smooth inventories. I would also like to make suggestions on how using a Checkpoint security system and Checkpoint tags will improve shortage results for stores in future years.
Conducting inventory is all about accounting for merchandise, determining how much is missing, reconciling the two and coming up with the difference or store shortage. When a store is using a Checkpoint system it can stop shoplifting, deter employee and vendor theft and in doing so merchandise remains in the store and therefore improves store profitability. It also makes the reconciliation process easier since there are fewer discrepancies between what is on hand and what the books say should be on hand. The use of a Checkpoint security system includes the installation of electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas, using Checkpoint tags on merchandise and deactivation and detachment equipment at points of sale. If you don’t currently have a Checkpoint system in place, I recommend installing one to impact the next inventory. The next points I go over will be of value for helping prepare for the current inventory you are about to go through.
Managers should plan prep time for getting the store ready for inventory. If an outside agency is going to come in, a pre-inventory meeting should be conducted. This includes a walk-through with the inventory management supervisor to discuss how the flow of inventory should go, what time inventory should start, how many people will be coming in to do the inventory and how will SKU checks be completed? It is also the time to ask what could make the inventory process easier for both parties. Are there suggestions that the inventory supervisor can make based on their experiences to help the process go smoother? Discuss how break times will work, is the inventory crew going to be in the store long enough to require breaks? If so, will their crew members leave the building and if they do, are purses or bags checked before they go? Note: this is a good time to ensure employees will enter and exit through doors protected with EAS antennas so that if Checkpoint tags are detected the alarm will sound. I have seen employee entrances used that did not have EAS antennas and I felt this was a poor practice. In my opinion, all entrances and exit points should have electronic article surveillance protection in place to stop shoplifting as well as employee and vendor theft.
Prior to inventory, have employees spend time looking for stray merchandise under fixtures and on top of them as well. For example, one easy to overlook fixture is the sunglasses rack. I have found many pairs of glasses tossed on top and growing dusty. If the store has gondolas, lift up base decks and check underneath for stray merchandise. It can be surprising what can fall down into the cracks and in some cases be intentionally hidden. If the store sells furniture take time to look inside the drawers. Does the store sell trash cans? Look inside them for hidden merchandise. Be as thorough as possible, I always stressed to store employees that every dollar accounted for, even something as small as a package of gum impacts inventory. It doesn’t take long for the small items to add up to big losses.
In part two we will continue with some additional tips I have to make inventory preparations easier and improve overall results. Remember, prepping and being ready for inventory do not stop shoplifting that may have taken place during the year. Use the preparation time to look into the purchase of a Checkpoint security system and Checkpoint tags so you can have even better results and lower merchandise shrinkage next year.
Need information on a Checkpoint security system? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
I believe that this year will be my 26th inventory I have participated in for stores I work for or have worked for. If I include stores I supported as a Loss Prevention Manager, I would estimate it is about my 35th inventory to participate in. I have seen inventories that have gone very smoothly and I have participated in some that were just plain headaches. I would like to spend some time in this article helping store managers and owners ensure they have smooth inventories. I would also like to make suggestions on how using a Checkpoint security system and Checkpoint tags will improve shortage results for stores in future years.
Conducting inventory is all about accounting for merchandise, determining how much is missing, reconciling the two and coming up with the difference or store shortage. When a store is using a Checkpoint system it can stop shoplifting, deter employee and vendor theft and in doing so merchandise remains in the store and therefore improves store profitability. It also makes the reconciliation process easier since there are fewer discrepancies between what is on hand and what the books say should be on hand. The use of a Checkpoint security system includes the installation of electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas, using Checkpoint tags on merchandise and deactivation and detachment equipment at points of sale. If you don’t currently have a Checkpoint system in place, I recommend installing one to impact the next inventory. The next points I go over will be of value for helping prepare for the current inventory you are about to go through.
Managers should plan prep time for getting the store ready for inventory. If an outside agency is going to come in, a pre-inventory meeting should be conducted. This includes a walk-through with the inventory management supervisor to discuss how the flow of inventory should go, what time inventory should start, how many people will be coming in to do the inventory and how will SKU checks be completed? It is also the time to ask what could make the inventory process easier for both parties. Are there suggestions that the inventory supervisor can make based on their experiences to help the process go smoother? Discuss how break times will work, is the inventory crew going to be in the store long enough to require breaks? If so, will their crew members leave the building and if they do, are purses or bags checked before they go? Note: this is a good time to ensure employees will enter and exit through doors protected with EAS antennas so that if Checkpoint tags are detected the alarm will sound. I have seen employee entrances used that did not have EAS antennas and I felt this was a poor practice. In my opinion, all entrances and exit points should have electronic article surveillance protection in place to stop shoplifting as well as employee and vendor theft.
Prior to inventory, have employees spend time looking for stray merchandise under fixtures and on top of them as well. For example, one easy to overlook fixture is the sunglasses rack. I have found many pairs of glasses tossed on top and growing dusty. If the store has gondolas, lift up base decks and check underneath for stray merchandise. It can be surprising what can fall down into the cracks and in some cases be intentionally hidden. If the store sells furniture take time to look inside the drawers. Does the store sell trash cans? Look inside them for hidden merchandise. Be as thorough as possible, I always stressed to store employees that every dollar accounted for, even something as small as a package of gum impacts inventory. It doesn’t take long for the small items to add up to big losses.
In part two we will continue with some additional tips I have to make inventory preparations easier and improve overall results. Remember, prepping and being ready for inventory do not stop shoplifting that may have taken place during the year. Use the preparation time to look into the purchase of a Checkpoint security system and Checkpoint tags so you can have even better results and lower merchandise shrinkage next year.
Need information on a Checkpoint security system? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Checkpoint tags-5 WC Blog 284
Clothing Security Tags-4
Security Tags On Clothes-3
Protecting Clothes From Theft By Storing It In Stockrooms? Protect Them With Checkpoint Tags And Then Fill Your Floor!
Looking back on my career in Retail Loss Prevention I can see how my perspective on the role of Loss Prevention has changed. When I first started out working in a department store, I had prior experience as an Air Force Law Enforcement Specialist. In fact one of my co-workers had been a former supervisor from my old unit and had seen my application and recommended me for the job when I applied. I loved what I was doing. I was able to stop shoplifting. I assisted with internal investigations and I was learning about the use of Checkpoint tags and clothing security. I perceived the job as more of a law enforcement function than support for a retail business and I think it would be fair to say that was sort of the mindset in those days. We built some strong bonds with our local police department. Police officers knew if they got a call from our store operator that the Loss Prevention officers had a shoplifter in custody or were chasing a shoplifter and it would be a solid arrest. When we started putting out more high ticket merchandise we used clothing security tags I only saw it as an opportunity for shoplifters to steal more valuable merchandise. I did not see that security tags on clothes could drive sales AND prevent shoplifting.
Clothing security tags come in soft tag form that can be peeled from a roll and applied to packages of socks, underwear and packaged shirts. Hard Checkpoint tags are also available and these are great for pinning directly to merchandise. Hard tags are reusable, two-piece, anti-theft devices that are nearly impossible to forcibly remove without causing damage to the merchandise. They are a visual deterrent to would-be thieves who don’t want to hassle with trying to get them off or risk exiting a door and setting off an electronic article surveillance (EAS) alarm. Both the soft and hard clothing security tags are designed with radio frequency technology so they will activate EAS antennas if the merchandise they are attached to is carried too close to the doors where the antennas are located.
So what changed for me over time? When I eventually became a Loss Prevention Manager I still saw the job as “getting the bad guys”. I had more exposure to Checkpoint tags and used them on more merchandise including clothing. My perspective changed slowly, perhaps as I learned about what the other store executive jobs involved. The Logistics Manager worked to keep merchandise on the sales floor for customers to purchase rather than in a stockroom. Bare shelves resulted in lost sales opportunities. Sales floor Managers had to ensure merchandise presentations were appealing to customers and they worked hand in hand with the Logistics Manager to move merchandise out of the stockroom and fill clothing racks, tables and gondolas. I began to refocus the way my Loss Prevention staff looked at their jobs. Yes, they were to prevent theft and when possible catch shoplifters. I did continue to develop and train those employees who wanted to go into police work or advance in Loss prevention. I helped them develop skills such how to properly write reports, interact with shoplifting suspects and develop an investigation. I also taught them how to take the skills they learned into other careers. But, I began to show them that they work for a retail business and our job was to keep shortage low and profits high, we were NOT a mini-police department.
With the change in perspective, I saw the advantages of using security tags on clothes to improve sales and still protect goods. Limiting the number of expensive jackets on the floor so they wouldn’t be stolen was less of a risk with Checkpoint tags on them. Having more jackets on the floor ensured customers had easier access to merchandise to purchase and reduced risk of running out of product on the floor and waiting for replenishment from the stockroom. Today, I am a fervent believer that a store is much better off financially by using clothing security tags to prevent theft and at the same time filling the floor for the consumer. You can’t sell merchandise from your stockroom.
Let Checkpoint tags work for you. Use security tags on clothes, then keep your product on the sales floor where customers can pick them up, try them on and purchase them. Along with an EAS antenna and outstanding customer service you will drive up profits and significantly reduce shortage.
Need information on Checkpoint tags? Contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Looking back on my career in Retail Loss Prevention I can see how my perspective on the role of Loss Prevention has changed. When I first started out working in a department store, I had prior experience as an Air Force Law Enforcement Specialist. In fact one of my co-workers had been a former supervisor from my old unit and had seen my application and recommended me for the job when I applied. I loved what I was doing. I was able to stop shoplifting. I assisted with internal investigations and I was learning about the use of Checkpoint tags and clothing security. I perceived the job as more of a law enforcement function than support for a retail business and I think it would be fair to say that was sort of the mindset in those days. We built some strong bonds with our local police department. Police officers knew if they got a call from our store operator that the Loss Prevention officers had a shoplifter in custody or were chasing a shoplifter and it would be a solid arrest. When we started putting out more high ticket merchandise we used clothing security tags I only saw it as an opportunity for shoplifters to steal more valuable merchandise. I did not see that security tags on clothes could drive sales AND prevent shoplifting.
Clothing security tags come in soft tag form that can be peeled from a roll and applied to packages of socks, underwear and packaged shirts. Hard Checkpoint tags are also available and these are great for pinning directly to merchandise. Hard tags are reusable, two-piece, anti-theft devices that are nearly impossible to forcibly remove without causing damage to the merchandise. They are a visual deterrent to would-be thieves who don’t want to hassle with trying to get them off or risk exiting a door and setting off an electronic article surveillance (EAS) alarm. Both the soft and hard clothing security tags are designed with radio frequency technology so they will activate EAS antennas if the merchandise they are attached to is carried too close to the doors where the antennas are located.
So what changed for me over time? When I eventually became a Loss Prevention Manager I still saw the job as “getting the bad guys”. I had more exposure to Checkpoint tags and used them on more merchandise including clothing. My perspective changed slowly, perhaps as I learned about what the other store executive jobs involved. The Logistics Manager worked to keep merchandise on the sales floor for customers to purchase rather than in a stockroom. Bare shelves resulted in lost sales opportunities. Sales floor Managers had to ensure merchandise presentations were appealing to customers and they worked hand in hand with the Logistics Manager to move merchandise out of the stockroom and fill clothing racks, tables and gondolas. I began to refocus the way my Loss Prevention staff looked at their jobs. Yes, they were to prevent theft and when possible catch shoplifters. I did continue to develop and train those employees who wanted to go into police work or advance in Loss prevention. I helped them develop skills such how to properly write reports, interact with shoplifting suspects and develop an investigation. I also taught them how to take the skills they learned into other careers. But, I began to show them that they work for a retail business and our job was to keep shortage low and profits high, we were NOT a mini-police department.
With the change in perspective, I saw the advantages of using security tags on clothes to improve sales and still protect goods. Limiting the number of expensive jackets on the floor so they wouldn’t be stolen was less of a risk with Checkpoint tags on them. Having more jackets on the floor ensured customers had easier access to merchandise to purchase and reduced risk of running out of product on the floor and waiting for replenishment from the stockroom. Today, I am a fervent believer that a store is much better off financially by using clothing security tags to prevent theft and at the same time filling the floor for the consumer. You can’t sell merchandise from your stockroom.
Let Checkpoint tags work for you. Use security tags on clothes, then keep your product on the sales floor where customers can pick them up, try them on and purchase them. Along with an EAS antenna and outstanding customer service you will drive up profits and significantly reduce shortage.
Need information on Checkpoint tags? Contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
