Prevent Shoplifting-3 WC Blog 252
Retail anti-theft devices-4
Protect CDs-3
Alpha Keeper-5
How Alpha Keepers Could Have Prevented Compact Disc Chaos And A Shoplifter’s Tell-Tale Trail Of Evidence
I have had odd experiences during my years as a Loss Prevention Manager, but one that sticks out clearly in my mind was a shoplifter who decided to steal a couple of compact discs from the store. At that time we used retail anti-theft devices to prevent shoplifting, but these were only plastic sleeves that surrounded the outside of the CD. The protection was not all that great but it was the best we had at the time. In this particular case, the better option would have been to use Alpha Keepers to protect CDs if we had them, unfortunately we did not and I will detail the reason why it would have been desirable shortly.
What are Alpha Keepers and how can they protect CDs? A Keeper is basically a heavy duty, clear box with a locking lid. The box has built in electronic article surveillance (EAS) protection that emits a radio frequency signal that activates an EAS antenna alarm if bought into the detection field of the antenna. When that happens the antenna activates audible and visual alarms, usually flashing LED lights and a piercing, noisy alert that lets employees respond to the activation. Alpha Keepers also have a built in tamper alarm that sounds when someone attempts to open the box without the proper detachment key. The great thing about these Keepers is they are see-through so a customer can see the information on the CD they are interested in without having to request an associate to take it out of a showcase. They prevent shoplifting because the criminal can’t get to the merchandise without activating an alarm at some point. As far as retail anti-theft devices go, they are superb because they allow a merchant to display merchandise that customers can pick up, look at, carry and purchase when they are ready. There is no additional help needed for unlocking displays or lock up cases, all removal of merchandise takes place at the point of sale.
Not having access to these cases led to my adventure with the shoplifter I was telling you about. The shoplifter had been working on stealing for a few minutes before I got on his trail. I was walking through the store and noticed some drops of blood on the tile floor. I started following the trail and came to the household section where we sold kitchen knives. I tracked the blood further and went through a number of departments looking for the source. When I got to our bath section, I found that there was an increased amount of blood and then I noticed some of our towels were bloody and part of a cut plastic CD sleeve. It didn’t take long to hear my would-be criminal muttering a few aisles away. I located the thief and began observing him from an endcap. Sure enough, he pulled out something that appeared to be a kitchen knife and continued to try cutting away at that retail anti-theft device to get to the merchandise. I had to give him credit, he wouldn’t give up. My concern turned to my safety as well as the suspect’s safety (and the fact he was bleeding all over our store and towels). I wasn’t eager to stop someone with a knife, on the other hand the more I watched the suspect the more I could tell he was intoxicated and could potentially hurt himself seriously. Fortunately the suspect got the one CD out of the anti-theft device and concealed it and put the knife on the shelf with the other CD and then walked to the front of the store where I was able to apprehend him.
I tell this story because I know how well Alpha Keepers work and how they can protect CD’s and prevent shoplifting. I have seen alternative retail anti-theft devices that were not as effective and I am convinced that any retailer that invests in Keepers will decrease the theft in this department dramatically and significantly improve profits. When merchandise isn’t stolen, it is available for the honest customers to buy. Check out Alpha Keepers and see how they can help your store immediately.
Need information on Alpha Keepers? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
I have had odd experiences during my years as a Loss Prevention Manager, but one that sticks out clearly in my mind was a shoplifter who decided to steal a couple of compact discs from the store. At that time we used retail anti-theft devices to prevent shoplifting, but these were only plastic sleeves that surrounded the outside of the CD. The protection was not all that great but it was the best we had at the time. In this particular case, the better option would have been to use Alpha Keepers to protect CDs if we had them, unfortunately we did not and I will detail the reason why it would have been desirable shortly.
What are Alpha Keepers and how can they protect CDs? A Keeper is basically a heavy duty, clear box with a locking lid. The box has built in electronic article surveillance (EAS) protection that emits a radio frequency signal that activates an EAS antenna alarm if bought into the detection field of the antenna. When that happens the antenna activates audible and visual alarms, usually flashing LED lights and a piercing, noisy alert that lets employees respond to the activation. Alpha Keepers also have a built in tamper alarm that sounds when someone attempts to open the box without the proper detachment key. The great thing about these Keepers is they are see-through so a customer can see the information on the CD they are interested in without having to request an associate to take it out of a showcase. They prevent shoplifting because the criminal can’t get to the merchandise without activating an alarm at some point. As far as retail anti-theft devices go, they are superb because they allow a merchant to display merchandise that customers can pick up, look at, carry and purchase when they are ready. There is no additional help needed for unlocking displays or lock up cases, all removal of merchandise takes place at the point of sale.
Not having access to these cases led to my adventure with the shoplifter I was telling you about. The shoplifter had been working on stealing for a few minutes before I got on his trail. I was walking through the store and noticed some drops of blood on the tile floor. I started following the trail and came to the household section where we sold kitchen knives. I tracked the blood further and went through a number of departments looking for the source. When I got to our bath section, I found that there was an increased amount of blood and then I noticed some of our towels were bloody and part of a cut plastic CD sleeve. It didn’t take long to hear my would-be criminal muttering a few aisles away. I located the thief and began observing him from an endcap. Sure enough, he pulled out something that appeared to be a kitchen knife and continued to try cutting away at that retail anti-theft device to get to the merchandise. I had to give him credit, he wouldn’t give up. My concern turned to my safety as well as the suspect’s safety (and the fact he was bleeding all over our store and towels). I wasn’t eager to stop someone with a knife, on the other hand the more I watched the suspect the more I could tell he was intoxicated and could potentially hurt himself seriously. Fortunately the suspect got the one CD out of the anti-theft device and concealed it and put the knife on the shelf with the other CD and then walked to the front of the store where I was able to apprehend him.
I tell this story because I know how well Alpha Keepers work and how they can protect CD’s and prevent shoplifting. I have seen alternative retail anti-theft devices that were not as effective and I am convinced that any retailer that invests in Keepers will decrease the theft in this department dramatically and significantly improve profits. When merchandise isn’t stolen, it is available for the honest customers to buy. Check out Alpha Keepers and see how they can help your store immediately.
Need information on Alpha Keepers? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
