JH Blog 02
(Checkpoint hard tag-5, EAS tag-3)
The Checkpoint Hard Tag: Transcending Visual Deterrence
Deterring theft is critical for any retailer to maximize profits in the current market, and visual deterrence is certainly the most common and effective form. Seeing Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) alarms, and the tags that trip them attached to merchandise, is a fantastic way to deter your average shoplifter. Unfortunately, not every shoplifter is easily swayed from stealing your merchandise, and some shoplifters are seasoned criminals. Prolific shoplifters will break the norm in a number of ways. Most commonly they will target merchandise that is not usually tagged as well as bring tools along to remove EAS tags on the merchandise they are after. This is where the Checkpoint hard Tag comes in.
Many retailers carry more than just clothing, and losses can be staggering in areas ranging anywhere from sports equipment to high-end luggage to designer handbags. Much of this merchandise is impossible to attach a standard EAS tag to and it can be a hassle to do so. The Checkpoint hard tag solves numerous problems, including the struggle of application. The sleek design and multiple variations of the tags allow for easy attachment to a wide array of merchandise, while not compromising the look of the product to your customers.
The next hurdle created for the would-be prolific shoplifter is the difficulty of removal. I have caught many shoplifters with incredibly lengthy records, and the vast majority of the “career shoplifters”, as we call them, were carrying tools on them, and the vast majority of the tools were specifically geared towards removing the common clothing article EAS tag. Just recently my team caught a woman who said she simply ordered an EAS magnetic tag remover on Amazon and decided to try her luck. Uncommon as they may be, the fact is, even big-time shoplifters are unprepared for the quality of the Checkpoint hard tag. Even when performing theft with the help of tools, it is very hard to remove, and this creates another strong barrier of protection for your merchandise: physical deterrence. Shoplifters are not taking their sweet time to steal from you. This is especially true in regards to experienced, career shoplifters. They know the best way to avoid getting caught is to be fast and to know what they want before coming in. An experienced criminal will not risk being caught and charged with theft by futilely attempting to remove a tag for a prolonged period of time, especially when they realize they brought the wrong tools for the job.
In the Loss Prevention world it is not uncommon to hear about Organized Retail Crime (ORC) groups, some going so far as to travel across the country hitting multiple locations of the same store that they know is vulnerable to their tactic, whatever it may be. The item that has recently received the most attention of the ORC groups that I have to deal with is the designer handbag, and it is an ideal item for a Checkpoint hard tag. Many ORC groups operate as tactfully as they possibly can, minimizing any risk of being apprehended and charged. After all, they make a living off of your losses. This is not to say that there aren’t ORC groups who throw caution to the wind with “grab and run” tactics, because that also happens, but why not be prepared for the group that is highly opportunistic? It is possible to deter some ORC groups before they even commit to hitting your store. If you and your merchandise are scoped out will you look like an easy target? Or will you be bypassed in favor of the less-prepared retailer?
There is no downside to adding an extra layer of protection to your merchandise.
For more information about Checkpoint Hard tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Deterring theft is critical for any retailer to maximize profits in the current market, and visual deterrence is certainly the most common and effective form. Seeing Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) alarms, and the tags that trip them attached to merchandise, is a fantastic way to deter your average shoplifter. Unfortunately, not every shoplifter is easily swayed from stealing your merchandise, and some shoplifters are seasoned criminals. Prolific shoplifters will break the norm in a number of ways. Most commonly they will target merchandise that is not usually tagged as well as bring tools along to remove EAS tags on the merchandise they are after. This is where the Checkpoint hard Tag comes in.
Many retailers carry more than just clothing, and losses can be staggering in areas ranging anywhere from sports equipment to high-end luggage to designer handbags. Much of this merchandise is impossible to attach a standard EAS tag to and it can be a hassle to do so. The Checkpoint hard tag solves numerous problems, including the struggle of application. The sleek design and multiple variations of the tags allow for easy attachment to a wide array of merchandise, while not compromising the look of the product to your customers.
The next hurdle created for the would-be prolific shoplifter is the difficulty of removal. I have caught many shoplifters with incredibly lengthy records, and the vast majority of the “career shoplifters”, as we call them, were carrying tools on them, and the vast majority of the tools were specifically geared towards removing the common clothing article EAS tag. Just recently my team caught a woman who said she simply ordered an EAS magnetic tag remover on Amazon and decided to try her luck. Uncommon as they may be, the fact is, even big-time shoplifters are unprepared for the quality of the Checkpoint hard tag. Even when performing theft with the help of tools, it is very hard to remove, and this creates another strong barrier of protection for your merchandise: physical deterrence. Shoplifters are not taking their sweet time to steal from you. This is especially true in regards to experienced, career shoplifters. They know the best way to avoid getting caught is to be fast and to know what they want before coming in. An experienced criminal will not risk being caught and charged with theft by futilely attempting to remove a tag for a prolonged period of time, especially when they realize they brought the wrong tools for the job.
In the Loss Prevention world it is not uncommon to hear about Organized Retail Crime (ORC) groups, some going so far as to travel across the country hitting multiple locations of the same store that they know is vulnerable to their tactic, whatever it may be. The item that has recently received the most attention of the ORC groups that I have to deal with is the designer handbag, and it is an ideal item for a Checkpoint hard tag. Many ORC groups operate as tactfully as they possibly can, minimizing any risk of being apprehended and charged. After all, they make a living off of your losses. This is not to say that there aren’t ORC groups who throw caution to the wind with “grab and run” tactics, because that also happens, but why not be prepared for the group that is highly opportunistic? It is possible to deter some ORC groups before they even commit to hitting your store. If you and your merchandise are scoped out will you look like an easy target? Or will you be bypassed in favor of the less-prepared retailer?
There is no downside to adding an extra layer of protection to your merchandise.
For more information about Checkpoint Hard tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
