Use Sensormatic Tags The Right Way And Improve Theft Prevention


Sensormatic Tags – 4                                                                                                     WC Blog 751
Clothing Security Tags – 3
Use Sensormatic Tags The Right Way And Improve Theft Prevention
     Clothing security tags work in every store they are used in. In fact they are so effective that according to the Sensormatic Global Retail Shrink Index, Electronic article surveillance (EAS) is the most popular Loss Prevention investment among retailers in the United States. According to their researchers, 92.16% of retailers surveyed indicated they are investing in electronic article surveillance (pg. 45). Certainly the use of clothing security is important but I will tell you that based on my experience, which tags are used and where they are placed are almost as important to a merchandise protection program.

     Effective standardized tagging guidelines for retailers improve the processing of merchandise for cashiers. It makes auditing of tagging easier for managers and it results in fewer customer service complaints. Here are of my suggestions to use as a basis when starting a tagging program:
• Tag visibility is important. Hidden tags sound like they would be a deterrent to criminals and in some situations that does work. But most of your shoplifters will be opportunists and if they see the Sensormatic tags they are less likely to try to steal an item. Deterrence is preferred to having to confront a potential shoplifter which can become dangerous.
• Hiding clothing security tags can also result in a cashier overlooking them during the checkout process. Since these tags are not designed to deactivate they are going to sound the EAS tower at the doors and create a distraction. The customer may be embarrassed or angry and an employee has to respond and try to determine what caused the alarm. 
• Placing tags where they are hard to cover up is also important. For example, a hard tag on the waist of a skirt can be covered by a blouse or sweater if a shoplifter tries to wear it out of the store.
• Finally, there are Sensormatic tags and labels. I know that sometimes it is easier to slap a label on a manufacturer hang tag rather than pinning a tag onto a piece of clothing but I always recommend a hard tag on clothing. For a t-shirt or a pair of socks a label may be sufficient but pants, shirts, purses, etc. should always be hard tagged.
Now that I covered what not to do here are my suggestions to help you with a consistent tagging strategy:
• Tag pants in a seam near the knee. Also do it on the same leg of every pair of slacks, jeans pants etc. Cashiers will always know to look for the Sensormatic tags in the same place. If you find this is more effort than you want to put into it you can tag near the cuff, but do it several inches above the end of the leg. 
• Shoes can be a bit more difficult since people want to try them on. Additionally not all shoes are designed the same. If possible tag through an eyelet, buckle or strap. IF there is no choice, a Sensormatic label may serve as a substitute on the bottom of each shoe.
• Attach clothing security tags to the neckline. This ensures the tag is visible and it is very hard to hide this. If you make the choice to tag on a sleeve, as with pants, do it several inches above the end of the sleeve. A small cut in the garment can be easy to repair and the tag slipped off. Cut in a piece of clothing anywhere else renders it unserviceable and useless.
• Purses generally have loops and straps that are accommodating for tags making them easy for protecting. Wallets on the other hand may be more challenging. This is one of the situations where I believe it is warranted to use a Sensormatic label hidden in the merchandise. The key is to emphasize that cashiers be sure to run all wallets over deactivation pads to avoid those false alarms.
These are strategies that I used for many years as a Retail Loss Prevention Manager and I can attest to the effectiveness of following these suggestions. We were consistently bringing in shortage numbers well under 1% during my tenure. 

     Sensormatic is a trusted company in the Loss Prevention industry and their equipment is so effective in preventing shoplifting that Bill Bregar, owner of Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. recommends their products to his clients. Why is that important? It is important because Bill has been in the business of retail shortage prevention and consultation since 1983. He was also a Loss Prevention Director for major retail stores. When Bill and I are in agreement it means you can’t go wrong if you listen to us. Use Sensormatic tags and see how much you can improve your bottom line.
 For more information about clothing security tags contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Clothing security tags work in every store they are used in. In fact they are so effective that according to the Sensormatic Global Retail Shrink Index, Electronic article surveillance (EAS) is the most popular Loss Prevention investment among retailers in the United States. According to their researchers, 92.16% of retailers surveyed indicated they are investing in electronic article surveillance (pg. 45). Certainly the use of clothing security is important but I will tell you that based on my experience, which tags are used and where they are placed are almost as important to a merchandise protection program.
     

Effective standardized tagging guidelines for retailers improve the processing of merchandise for cashiers. It makes auditing of tagging easier for managers and it results in fewer customer service complaints. Here are of my suggestions to use as a basis when starting a tagging program:

• Tag visibility is important. Hidden tags sound like they would be a deterrent to criminals and in some situations that does work. But most of your shoplifters will be opportunists and if they see the Sensormatic tags they are less likely to try to steal an item. Deterrence is preferred to having to confront a potential shoplifter which can become dangerous.

• Hiding clothing security tags can also result in a cashier overlooking them during the checkout process. Since these tags are not designed to deactivate they are going to sound the EAS tower at the doors and create a distraction. The customer may be embarrassed or angry and an employee has to respond and try to determine what caused the alarm. 

• Placing tags where they are hard to cover up is also important. For example, a hard tag on the waist of a skirt can be covered by a blouse or sweater if a shoplifter tries to wear it out of the store.

• Finally, there are Sensormatic tags and labels. I know that sometimes it is easier to slap a label on a manufacturer hang tag rather than pinning a tag onto a piece of clothing but I always recommend a hard tag on clothing. For a t-shirt or a pair of socks a label may be sufficient but pants, shirts, purses, etc. should always be hard tagged.

 

Now that I covered what not to do here are my suggestions to help you with a consistent tagging strategy:

• Tag pants in a seam near the knee. Also do it on the same leg of every pair of slacks, jeans pants etc. Cashiers will always know to look for the Sensormatic tags in the same place. If you find this is more effort than you want to put into it you can tag near the cuff, but do it several inches above the end of the leg. 

• Shoes can be a bit more difficult since people want to try them on. Additionally not all shoes are designed the same. If possible tag through an eyelet, buckle or strap. IF there is no choice, a Sensormatic label may serve as a substitute on the bottom of each shoe.

• Attach clothing security tags to the neckline. This ensures the tag is visible and it is very hard to hide this. If you make the choice to tag on a sleeve, as with pants, do it several inches above the end of the sleeve. A small cut in the garment can be easy to repair and the tag slipped off. Cut in a piece of clothing anywhere else renders it unserviceable and useless.

• Purses generally have loops and straps that are accommodating for tags making them easy for protecting. Wallets on the other hand may be more challenging. This is one of the situations where I believe it is warranted to use a Sensormatic label hidden in the merchandise. The key is to emphasize that cashiers be sure to run all wallets over deactivation pads to avoid those false alarms.

These are strategies that I used for many years as a Retail Loss Prevention Manager and I can attest to the effectiveness of following these suggestions. We were consistently bringing in shortage numbers well under 1% during my tenure. 

 

 Sensormatic is a trusted company in the Loss Prevention industry and their equipment is so effective in preventing shoplifting that Bill Bregar, owner of Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. recommends their products to his clients. Why is that important? It is important because Bill has been in the business of retail shortage prevention and consultation since 1983. He was also a Loss Prevention Director for major retail stores. When Bill and I are in agreement it means you can’t go wrong if you listen to us. Use Sensormatic tags and see how much you can improve your bottom line. 

 

For more information about clothing security tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547