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.
