Checkpoint Security System-4 WC blog 123
Stop Shoplifting-3
Retail Theft Prevention-3
Signal Shoplifters You Are Serious With A Checkpoint Security System
I don’t know about you but sometimes I get a chuckle out of things I see that are supposed to stop shoplifting in stores. For example, in one store I frequent there is a sign on the wall of the restroom as you walk in that warns that unpaid merchandise is not allowed in the restroom. It also tells the reader that shoplifting is not a joke or a game. It is a crime and it makes things more expensive for everyone. It ends by letting shoplifters know they will be prosecuted. This tickles me on so many levels. First, the potential shoplifter has already entered the restroom with the unpaid merchandise when they see the sign. I am sure they are thinking, “Well shucks, I can’t bring this in here to steal, guess I have to find another place to do it.” But wait, they read on and find out that it costs everyone more money when they steal. Now, I can’t say for certain, but it seems to me that my expenditures for goods are not really high on the list of priorities for someone who is contemplating theft.
All kidding aside, I understand the idea behind the signs, they are meant to discourage someone from bringing merchandise into a restroom or alerting potential shoplifters that there are cameras in use in the store. This type of retail theft prevention is meant to stop shoplifting efforts by first-time and opportunist shoplifters. I would contend that a better retail theft prevention approach would be installing a Checkpoint security system.
A Checkpoint security system deters theft at all levels from the opportunist to the professional involved in organized retail crime (ORC). Electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas are installed at entry/exit points and detect unpaid merchandise being carried out of the store. Deactivation devices are integrated at points of sale to ensure EAS tags deactivate when a purchase is made. Checkpoint labels and tags are purchased and applied to a variety of merchandise to be both a visual deterrent to thieves and a physical protection that causes and alarm activation if an attempt to shoplift is made. Opportunist shoplifters are not sure how to defeat the security tags and professionals are trying to avoid attention so they don’t want risk alarm activations.
A Checkpoint Security System is also a deterrent to employee theft. One thing I learned from almost 20 years of retail loss prevention experience is that store associates become immune to signs, cameras and even loss prevention staff. They see these things every day and they become just another store fixture. I would be hard pressed to say how many employees I caught stealing over that time who just didn’t think about the cameras and public view monitors. As part of new hire orientation I took the time to warn employees about our capabilities and still they would attempt to steal. On the other hand, employees hear the beeping of the EAS antennas on a regular basis and they physically handle products protected with Checkpoint tags. As a result they are not de-sensitized, so to speak, to this security measure. Employees are less likely to steal when a retailer has this retail theft prevention system installed.
Investing in a Checkpoint security system is a step in the right direction to stop shoplifting and prevent employee theft. When criminals notice the new hardware and tagged merchandise they will begin to take their activity elsewhere. As this happens, your in-stocks will improve and as a consequence so will your sales. Over time a Checkpoint system can pay for itself so why wait any longer to protect your business and merchandise?
Get more information on a Checkpoint security system, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
I don’t know about you but sometimes I get a chuckle out of things I see that are supposed to stop shoplifting in stores. For example, in one store I frequent there is a sign on the wall of the restroom as you walk in that warns that unpaid merchandise is not allowed in the restroom. It also tells the reader that shoplifting is not a joke or a game. It is a crime and it makes things more expensive for everyone. It ends by letting shoplifters know they will be prosecuted. This tickles me on so many levels. First, the potential shoplifter has already entered the restroom with the unpaid merchandise when they see the sign. I am sure they are thinking, “Well shucks, I can’t bring this in here to steal, guess I have to find another place to do it.” But wait, they read on and find out that it costs everyone more money when they steal. Now, I can’t say for certain, but it seems to me that my expenditures for goods are not really high on the list of priorities for someone who is contemplating theft.
All kidding aside, I understand the idea behind the signs, they are meant to discourage someone from bringing merchandise into a restroom or alerting potential shoplifters that there are cameras in use in the store. This type of retail theft prevention is meant to stop shoplifting efforts by first-time and opportunist shoplifters. I would contend that a better retail theft prevention approach would be installing a Checkpoint security system.
A Checkpoint security system deters theft at all levels from the opportunist to the professional involved in organized retail crime (ORC). Electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas are installed at entry/exit points and detect unpaid merchandise being carried out of the store. Deactivation devices are integrated at points of sale to ensure EAS tags deactivate when a purchase is made. Checkpoint labels and tags are purchased and applied to a variety of merchandise to be both a visual deterrent to thieves and a physical protection that causes and alarm activation if an attempt to shoplift is made. Opportunist shoplifters are not sure how to defeat the security tags and professionals are trying to avoid attention so they don’t want risk alarm activations.
A Checkpoint Security System is also a deterrent to employee theft. One thing I learned from almost 20 years of retail loss prevention experience is that store associates become immune to signs, cameras and even loss prevention staff. They see these things every day and they become just another store fixture. I would be hard pressed to say how many employees I caught stealing over that time who just didn’t think about the cameras and public view monitors. As part of new hire orientation I took the time to warn employees about our capabilities and still they would attempt to steal. On the other hand, employees hear the beeping of the EAS antennas on a regular basis and they physically handle products protected with Checkpoint tags. As a result they are not de-sensitized, so to speak, to this security measure. Employees are less likely to steal when a retailer has this retail theft prevention system installed.
Investing in a Checkpoint security system is a step in the right direction to stop shoplifting and prevent employee theft. When criminals notice the new hardware and tagged merchandise they will begin to take their activity elsewhere. As this happens, your in-stocks will improve and as a consequence so will your sales. Over time a Checkpoint system can pay for itself so why wait any longer to protect your business and merchandise?
Get more information on a Checkpoint security system, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Checkpoint Hard Tags-5 WC blog 126
Checkpoint tags-3
electronic article surveillance-3
Stop shoplifting-4
Checkpoint Hard Tags Keep Softlines Secure From Shoplifters
There are a lot of ways to prevent clothing theft and in my experiences of more than 25 years working in retail I think I have seen most of them. I have seen limits on how many of a certain item will be placed on a sales floor. I have also seen shoes displayed as singles, with the matching shoe in the stockroom with all the other boxed shoes. Over the years I have also seen the evolution of clothing hard tags and the increased use of them in stores. Of all the anti-theft strategies, with a few rare exceptions, the best option to stop shoplifting, in my opinion, has always been the use of Checkpoint hard tags. I say this because there are several benefits of using Checkpoint tags over other strategies and I will discuss those benefits momentarily. First, it would be best to tell you what Checkpoint Hard Tags are and how they work.
Checkpoint hard tags are devices that are attached to clothing to stop shoplifting. The tags, specifically the Gen 3 Hard Tags, are electronic article surveillance two-piece discs that are attached to garments. The two pieces are pinned together almost seamlessly, making it nearly impossible for a shoplifter to pry them apart. These discs are well over an inch in diameter, giving them a strong visual deterrence to would-be thieves. And, for those retailers who may sell higher end clothing, the disc shape gives it a neat, clean visual effect that does not detract from the item it is attached to.
So what is the benefit of using Gen 3 Checkpoint Hard Tags over limiting the number of items on a sales floor? You may be thinking that limiting quantities means that shoplifters can’t get away with more than one or two items as opposed to a full fixture arm. As a former Loss Prevention Manager, I saw shoplifters clean off entire 4-way fixtures of clothes, so I am familiar with the concern. The issue is, those instances involved clothes that were not protected with Checkpoint Tags. Because they are electronic article surveillance compatible, most shoplifters don’t want to take the risk of activating a store alarm so they leave tagged clothing alone. Putting one or two items out that are not protected will simply lead to the eventual theft of those one or two items. The other negative of limiting quantities is the replenishment of the item(s). If the garment is sold and there are no more on the floor, how long does it take for someone to notice and fill the floor from the stockroom? If it’s not on the floor, there is the chance you lose sales since customers can’t look at it to buy it.
As for shoes being displayed as a single and the remainder being kept in a stockroom, such a strategy will stop shoplifting, but when I have seen it used it always requires a salesperson to be available to find the size and style of shoe I need. It also seems that inevitably there will be more customers that enter the department and therein lays the issue, there needs to be adequate staffing to be available to render immediate assistance to all the customers. Do you have the staff or payroll available to provide that level of service for one group of clothing? Checkpoint Tags allow for merchandise to be protected without the need to constantly run to the stockroom to retrieve shoes, let the customer try them on and re-stock them, if the customer chooses not to purchase them.
The combination of electronic article surveillance and Gen 3 Checkpoint Hard Tags are the best solution to stop shoplifting of your clothing lines. The tags can be placed on almost any garment so the more items you protect, the better your chances will be to boost sales and reduce shortage due to theft.
Get more information on Checkpoint Hard Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
There are a lot of ways to prevent clothing theft and in my experiences of more than 25 years working in retail I think I have seen most of them. I have seen limits on how many of a certain item will be placed on a sales floor. I have also seen shoes displayed as singles, with the matching shoe in the stockroom with all the other boxed shoes. Over the years I have also seen the evolution of clothing hard tags and the increased use of them in stores. Of all the anti-theft strategies, with a few rare exceptions, the best option to stop shoplifting, in my opinion, has always been the use of Checkpoint hard tags. I say this because there are several benefits of using Checkpoint tags over other strategies and I will discuss those benefits momentarily. First, it would be best to tell you what Checkpoint Hard Tags are and how they work.
Checkpoint hard tags are devices that are attached to clothing to stop shoplifting. The tags, specifically the Gen 3 Hard Tags, are electronic article surveillance two-piece discs that are attached to garments. The two pieces are pinned together almost seamlessly, making it nearly impossible for a shoplifter to pry them apart. These discs are well over an inch in diameter, giving them a strong visual deterrence to would-be thieves. And, for those retailers who may sell higher end clothing, the disc shape gives it a neat, clean visual effect that does not detract from the item it is attached to.
So what is the benefit of using Gen 3 Checkpoint Hard Tags over limiting the number of items on a sales floor? You may be thinking that limiting quantities means that shoplifters can’t get away with more than one or two items as opposed to a full fixture arm. As a former Loss Prevention Manager, I saw shoplifters clean off entire 4-way fixtures of clothes, so I am familiar with the concern. The issue is, those instances involved clothes that were not protected with Checkpoint Tags. Because they are electronic article surveillance compatible, most shoplifters don’t want to take the risk of activating a store alarm so they leave tagged clothing alone. Putting one or two items out that are not protected will simply lead to the eventual theft of those one or two items. The other negative of limiting quantities is the replenishment of the item(s). If the garment is sold and there are no more on the floor, how long does it take for someone to notice and fill the floor from the stockroom? If it’s not on the floor, there is the chance you lose sales since customers can’t look at it to buy it.
As for shoes being displayed as a single and the remainder being kept in a stockroom, such a strategy will stop shoplifting, but when I have seen it used it always requires a salesperson to be available to find the size and style of shoe I need. It also seems that inevitably there will be more customers that enter the department and therein lays the issue, there needs to be adequate staffing to be available to render immediate assistance to all the customers. Do you have the staff or payroll available to provide that level of service for one group of clothing? Checkpoint Tags allow for merchandise to be protected without the need to constantly run to the stockroom to retrieve shoes, let the customer try them on and re-stock them, if the customer chooses not to purchase them.
The combination of electronic article surveillance and Gen 3 Checkpoint Hard Tags are the best solution to stop shoplifting of your clothing lines. The tags can be placed on almost any garment so the more items you protect, the better your chances will be to boost sales and reduce shortage due to theft.
Get more information on Checkpoint Hard Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
RETAIL THEFT PREVENTION THAT EVERY STORE CAN AFFORD
I see this in my stores (large big box) and I see it when I shop at smaller chains and even the mom and pop shops around town. We, the retailer, invest in a Checkpoint security system, but we don’t remain consistent with tag and label placement on merchandise. How can we expect to stop shoplifting if we are making it so easy for a thief to steal from us?
Just this past week, I was in a store taking care of an internal theft case. After I wrapped up, I walked the store with the General Manager, and a team member approached us and informed us of a theft that had just occurred. A female suspect came into the store and stole several hundred dollars’ worth of a particular style of shirt. Each of these shirts retail for $39.99 a piece. The thief simply grabbed an entire stack, placed them in her purse and walked right on out.
We went over to the area and immediately identified an inconsistency in the store’s process. It seems that only one or two of the shirts had been tagged with an EAS device, leaving the rest open to anyone. This particular shoplifter did in fact leave behind the 3 shirts that were protected; proving that the Checkpoint security system would have worked to prevent this loss, had the store been consistent on tagging. It’s often not enough for you, as the manager, to tell your team what needs to be done; you have to inspect what you expect from them and continually share the importance of remaining compliant. If you set a standard to secure a product, then your team needs to adhere to that standard; or find another job.
In order to effectively stop shoplifting, you have to use your Checkpoint security system to its full potential. Just installing the towers and slapping a few labels here and there won’t stop shoplifting. You need to have a solid plan in place. What I challenge my store teams to do is walk there store each week in the eyes of a thief. If something looks appealing and easy to steal, be proactive and protect that item before the real thief takes it from you.
I have one store that really stands out. The management team incorporates LP strategy into their daily routine and they don’t see it as something extra they have to do. By having this mentality and working hard each day to do their very best to secure their products and utilize their Checkpoint security system to the fullest; they are one of a handful of stores that are crushing not only their sales plans, but also their profitability targets.
One example I like to use from this store comes from some fishing reels that were being stolen across the market. The 4 other stores did not take any pro-active measures to combat the losses, but this particular store ordered additional tags to secure the product. I even heard a General Manager say that she refused to order more tags, as it would put her over her supply budget for the month; but then she lost $2,500 in fishing reels for not placing that $75 supply order. Are you that manager?
Need information on Checkpoint Security Systems? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
I see this in my stores (large big box) and I see it when I shop at smaller chains and even the mom and pop shops around town. We, the retailer, invest in a Checkpoint security system, but we don’t remain consistent with tag and label placement on merchandise. How can we expect to stop shoplifting if we are making it so easy for a thief to steal from us?
Just this past week, I was in a store taking care of an internal theft case. After I wrapped up, I walked the store with the General Manager, and a team member approached us and informed us of a theft that had just occurred. A female suspect came into the store and stole several hundred dollars’ worth of a particular style of shirt. Each of these shirts retail for $39.99 a piece. The thief simply grabbed an entire stack, placed them in her purse and walked right on out.
We went over to the area and immediately identified an inconsistency in the store’s process. It seems that only one or two of the shirts had been tagged with an EAS device, leaving the rest open to anyone. This particular shoplifter did in fact leave behind the 3 shirts that were protected; proving that the Checkpoint security system would have worked to prevent this loss, had the store been consistent on tagging. It’s often not enough for you, as the manager, to tell your team what needs to be done; you have to inspect what you expect from them and continually share the importance of remaining compliant. If you set a standard to secure a product, then your team needs to adhere to that standard; or find another job.
In order to effectively stop shoplifting, you have to use your Checkpoint security system to its full potential. Just installing the towers and slapping a few labels here and there won’t stop shoplifting. You need to have a solid plan in place. What I challenge my store teams to do is walk there store each week in the eyes of a thief. If something looks appealing and easy to steal, be proactive and protect that item before the real thief takes it from you.
I have one store that really stands out. The management team incorporates LP strategy into their daily routine and they don’t see it as something extra they have to do. By having this mentality and working hard each day to do their very best to secure their products and utilize their Checkpoint security system to the fullest; they are one of a handful of stores that are crushing not only their sales plans, but also their profitability targets.
One example I like to use from this store comes from some fishing reels that were being stolen across the market. The 4 other stores did not take any pro-active measures to combat the losses, but this particular store ordered additional tags to secure the product. I even heard a General Manager say that she refused to order more tags, as it would put her over her supply budget for the month; but then she lost $2,500 in fishing reels for not placing that $75 supply order. Are you that manager?
Need information on Checkpoint Security Systems? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
The company I work for has been supplying our stores with Alpha Keepers for several years. We started out using them to protect razor blades. We were losing them as fast as we could put them out. It was a constant battle with petty theft and professional shoplifters alike, and when those boxes of Alpha Keepers arrived, we were like: “cue the hallelujah chorus!”. Currently, we use them for all kinds of products. In my store you’ll find skin care, pain relievers, and even family planning products and more safely encased and out on the shelf for customers to pick up and purchase. Now I have been introduced to a whole new product: the Auto Peg Tag by Checkpoint. I was out on a project for three weeks, and I come back to find we’ve received a supply of these and I am trying to determine which is best to stop shoplifting. So, let’s take a look and compare the benefits of them both.
First, let’s take a look at Alpha Keepers. They are clear cases that come in many different sizes for a variety of products. They can be hung with peg attachments or sit directly on the shelf. All you do is drop the product in, close the lid, and lock it, so they are easy to use. They are quickly opened with the S3 key, so they do not impede or slow down customer service. Alpha Keepers are completely reusable. They are compatible with Checkpoint Systems, so the alarm will activate if someone gets too close or attempts to steal. Customers can still see the items inside the cases, and they are free to carry them around the store until ready to purchase. Because of their sizes, you will need some space to store the ones that are not being used to display inventory.
Now, let’s look at the Auto Peg Tag. These are small devices that attach to high risk items that are sold from pegs. They actually fit directly over the peg hole, so they really help make the packaging stronger as well. They come in two different colors: yellow or gray. They do not detract from the packaging, and customers can still pick up the item, turn it over in their hand, and they are free to carry the item around the store. Auto Peg Tags are completely reusable, and they are just as effective the hundredth time as they were the first time they were attached. This is a pin-less attachment so they go on and come off very easily with the S3 Key. And since the Auto Peg Tag is a Checkpoint Systems product, they will cause the alarm to activate as well, if there is an attempt to steal the merchandise before the tag is detached. Because of their size, there is very little space needed for storage.
If you are considering purchasing one of these products to stop shoplifting in your store, you really just have to look at what you sell and how much storage space you have for when they are not in use. Both products will deter theft time and again, and both will alert your staff if a theft does occur. Both products allow your customers shop for the items they came to buy, and they don’t have to stand around waiting on you to open up a locked case. They can still pick up the items, turn them over, and read any directions and information listed on the packaging. As a store manager or owner, you can’t go wrong with either of these. As for my store, we will use both!
For more information on Alpha Keepers, Auto Peg Tags and more, contact us or call: 1.770.426.0547
CP Hard Tags-3 , EAS-2 , Stop Shoplifting-1 , CP Tags-4
Security Guard Vs. Checkpoint Systems
There are a few retailers that I have seen lately using loss prevention associates dressed as security guards, instead of the undercover approach. I get the deterrence factor of using these people, and I’m not against this as a way to stop shoplifting. If you can find the right people to do the job, train them according to all your policies and local regulations, your store can benefit from their presence. If nothing else, they can make some customers and even the staff feel more safe and secure. However, I think in order to really make a difference and reduce shrink in your store, you should take a look at the additional assistance you can get by introducing an electronic article surveillance system, like Checkpoint. Especially if you have the kind of staff and “security” personnel the store I went to this weekend employs.
I took my daughter shopping for a tie dye kit for her birthday, and the best locally owned place I knew to go was this crazy mix of gift shop and smoke shop that sells everything you can think of. We were greeted and offered help as soon as we walked in the door. My daughter was immediately mesmerized by all the band t-shirts and black light room decorations, so I just wondered around aimlessly, doing what I usually do: figuring out if a store has loss prevention tools in place. First of all, there are two clerks in the middle of this weird round checkout counter. There was a guy walking around the store with a black t-shirt on that said “security” on the back of it. Honestly, I kinda thought he could have actually been the store’s security, but there is the off chance that was just one of the novelty shirts they sell there. I accidentally (on purpose) took a pair of sunglasses I was “looking at” too close to the front door and activated their electronic article surveillance system. One of the clerks looked up from pricing merchandise, the security guy turned around but didn’t come closer, and the other clerk never budged. Now, I’ll admit I don’t look like much of a threat or a typical theft issue for a store like this, so I won’t crack on them too hard. As I really looked around, I could see that all the t-shirts had Checkpoint hard tags on them. All the beanie caps, bandanas, and scarves and more had some form of Checkpoint tags as well.
The store’s staff can’t see everything that happens. They get busy with other customers and things happen that draw their attention away. That’s why it’s so important to utilize Checkpoint tags and Checkpoint hard tags on any merchandise that may be targeted for theft. Clothing and accessories get stolen often because people conceal unpaid items beneath their own clothing when the staff gets distracted. Sometimes these people come in groups in order to create the distractions themselves. Checkpoint tags will alert the staff of the theft attempt as soon as the criminal gets too close to the door and activates the alarm. Also, the thief can’t just pry off Checkpoint hard tags. They can see they will damage the shirt or other item they are trying to steal if they try to tamper with the hard tag that is pinned through, so they will be more likely to just put it back. It might be worth it to some to find out if that’s a real security guard, but they know for sure they’ll be caught if they mess with Checkpoint tags!
Need more information on Checkpoint Hard Tags? Contact us or give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
There are a few retailers that I have seen lately using loss prevention associates dressed as security guards, instead of the undercover approach. I get the deterrence factor of using these people, and I’m not against this as a way to stop shoplifting. If you can find the right people to do the job, train them according to all your policies and local regulations, your store can benefit from their presence. If nothing else, they can make some customers and even the staff feel more safe and secure. However, I think in order to really make a difference and reduce shrink in your store, you should take a look at the additional assistance you can get by introducing an electronic article surveillance system, like Checkpoint. Especially if you have the kind of staff and “security” personnel the store I went to this weekend employs.
I took my daughter shopping for a tie dye kit for her birthday, and the best locally owned place I knew to go was this crazy mix of gift shop and smoke shop that sells everything you can think of. We were greeted and offered help as soon as we walked in the door. My daughter was immediately mesmerized by all the band t-shirts and black light room decorations, so I just wondered around aimlessly, doing what I usually do: figuring out if a store has loss prevention tools in place. First of all, there are two clerks in the middle of this weird round checkout counter. There was a guy walking around the store with a black t-shirt on that said “security” on the back of it. Honestly, I kinda thought he could have actually been the store’s security, but there is the off chance that was just one of the novelty shirts they sell there. I accidentally (on purpose) took a pair of sunglasses I was “looking at” too close to the front door and activated their electronic article surveillance system. One of the clerks looked up from pricing merchandise, the security guy turned around but didn’t come closer, and the other clerk never budged. Now, I’ll admit I don’t look like much of a threat or a typical theft issue for a store like this, so I won’t crack on them too hard. As I really looked around, I could see that all the t-shirts had Checkpoint hard tags on them. All the beanie caps, bandanas, and scarves and more had some form of Checkpoint tags as well.
The store’s staff can’t see everything that happens. They get busy with other customers and things happen that draw their attention away. That’s why it’s so important to utilize Checkpoint tags and Checkpoint hard tags on any merchandise that may be targeted for theft. Clothing and accessories get stolen often because people conceal unpaid items beneath their own clothing when the staff gets distracted. Sometimes these people come in groups in order to create the distractions themselves. Checkpoint tags will alert the staff of the theft attempt as soon as the criminal gets too close to the door and activates the alarm. Also, the thief can’t just pry off Checkpoint hard tags. They can see they will damage the shirt or other item they are trying to steal if they try to tamper with the hard tag that is pinned through, so they will be more likely to just put it back. It might be worth it to some to find out if that’s a real security guard, but they know for sure they’ll be caught if they mess with Checkpoint tags!
Need more information on Checkpoint Hard Tags? Contact us or give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
