Alpha Keepers-4 WC Blog 394
Prevent Shoplifting-4
Retail Anti-Theft Devices-4
Retail Anti-Theft Devices; The Decisions Stores Make That Drive Me Crazy! Part 1
From time to time I see retail Loss Prevention initiatives that make me go crazy. Sometimes the initiative goes too far in reducing security measures. I have seen Loss Prevention payroll cuts in an effort to save money. I have seen merchandise such as video games removed from lock-up cases (which I might add I am not necessarily opposed to) but then no security measure is added to prevent shoplifting, by using Alpha Keepers or even soft electronic article surveillance tags. I have seen high priced items removed from “security grids” that direct what items get retail anti-theft devices placed on them. For example, I am aware of a company that sells laminators. No, not really a high sales item but there was a time when a certain price point of the item required them to be protected with a security device and now they are no longer protected. Certain ink jet cartridges in one store are stored in Alpha Keepers while other brands are not protected. News flash! Shoplifters are not necessarily concerned with the brand or price points sometimes they just want the merchandise in order to trade it for whatever cash they can get or for drugs.
I want to briefly clarify for readers who may not be familiar with them, what Alpha Keepers are. Keepers are clear, solid, plastic boxes with hinged, locking lids that allows merchants to display merchandise on the salesfloor while protecting the merchandise from theft. The boxes require special detachment keys in order to open them adding an additional level of security. The boxes are also built with electronic article surveillance technology (EAS) that makes the Keepers detectable by EAS towers when stores have them installed. This makes sure that if a shoplifter tries to carry secured merchandise out of the store tower alarms and lights activate and warn store employees that an attempted theft is taking place. Employees respond to the doors and recover merchandise and prevent shoplifting or get the patron to purchase the item.
The beauty of retail anti-theft devices is that it allows retailers to take merchandise from the showcases and place them in the reach of the customer. This gives customers the ability to handle merchandise, read package information and carry it around the store while they continue to shop. Likewise, the Keepers give flexibility to store owners and managers to not tie an employee down to the showcases waiting to help customers or standing at the showcase taking out merchandise and putting it back while the customer browses merchandise. So YES, remove merchandise from showcases, make it accessible and sales will inevitably climb. People will buy products when they don’t have to wait for assistance.
My irritation is NOT at the removal of product from security lock-ups, my irritation is when merchandise is put on the floor and not secured with retail anti-theft devices. Furthermore, DON’T have a policy of securing product with anti-theft devices and then removing the devices or not placing them on new shipments anymore. Is the policy in place because there is no longer evidence that the merchandise is being stolen…WELL DUH! The merchandise not being stolen because the protections did what they were designed to do, prevent shoplifting! Is the decision based on the lack of sales of a product? That has nothing to do with the security device or the ability of customers to access them, it may be due to product placement, price point, lack of customer service or simply the item is not in demand. As long as it is being carried in the store all merchandise should be protected.
Removing merchandise from lock-up cases can certainly improve sales. Placing merchandise on the floor without protecting it is an invitation to increased theft and shortage. Make products available to your customers but use Alpha Keepers and retail anti-theft devices on all the things you sell to prevent shoplifting.
For more information about Alpha Keepers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
From time to time I see retail Loss Prevention initiatives that make me go crazy. Sometimes the initiative goes too far in reducing security measures. I have seen Loss Prevention payroll cuts in an effort to save money. I have seen merchandise such as video games removed from lock-up cases (which I might add I am not necessarily opposed to) but then no security measure is added to prevent shoplifting, by using Alpha Keepers or even soft electronic article surveillance tags. I have seen high priced items removed from “security grids” that direct what items get retail anti-theft devices placed on them. For example, I am aware of a company that sells laminators. No, not really a high sales item but there was a time when a certain price point of the item required them to be protected with a security device and now they are no longer protected. Certain ink jet cartridges in one store are stored in Alpha Keepers while other brands are not protected. News flash! Shoplifters are not necessarily concerned with the brand or price points sometimes they just want the merchandise in order to trade it for whatever cash they can get or for drugs.
I want to briefly clarify for readers who may not be familiar with them, what Alpha Keepers are. Keepers are clear, solid, plastic boxes with hinged, locking lids that allows merchants to display merchandise on the salesfloor while protecting the merchandise from theft. The boxes require special detachment keys in order to open them adding an additional level of security. The boxes are also built with electronic article surveillance technology (EAS) that makes the Keepers detectable by EAS towers when stores have them installed. This makes sure that if a shoplifter tries to carry secured merchandise out of the store tower alarms and lights activate and warn store employees that an attempted theft is taking place. Employees respond to the doors and recover merchandise and prevent shoplifting or get the patron to purchase the item.
The beauty of retail anti-theft devices is that it allows retailers to take merchandise from the showcases and place them in the reach of the customer. This gives customers the ability to handle merchandise, read package information and carry it around the store while they continue to shop. Likewise, the Keepers give flexibility to store owners and managers to not tie an employee down to the showcases waiting to help customers or standing at the showcase taking out merchandise and putting it back while the customer browses merchandise. So YES, remove merchandise from showcases, make it accessible and sales will inevitably climb. People will buy products when they don’t have to wait for assistance.
My irritation is NOT at the removal of product from security lock-ups, my irritation is when merchandise is put on the floor and not secured with retail anti-theft devices. Furthermore, DON’T have a policy of securing product with anti-theft devices and then removing the devices or not placing them on new shipments anymore. Is the policy in place because there is no longer evidence that the merchandise is being stolen…WELL DUH! The merchandise not being stolen because the protections did what they were designed to do, prevent shoplifting! Is the decision based on the lack of sales of a product? That has nothing to do with the security device or the ability of customers to access them, it may be due to product placement, price point, lack of customer service or simply the item is not in demand. As long as it is being carried in the store all merchandise should be protected.
Removing merchandise from lock-up cases can certainly improve sales. Placing merchandise on the floor without protecting it is an invitation to increased theft and shortage. Make products available to your customers but use Alpha Keepers and retail anti-theft devices on all the things you sell to prevent shoplifting.
For more information about Alpha Keepers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
