Alpha Keepers-5 WC Blog 173
Prevent Shoplifting-3
Using Alpha Keepers To Their Fullest Potential Promotes Sales And Customer Service
I admire business owners who take a risk and open a small retail store or a small chain of stores. Having spent twenty-six years in retail I have a love for the business and a desire to see people succeed. Much of the advice I can give is from first-hand experience working with retail anti-theft devices to prevent shoplifting. As I former retail Security Officer, Retail Loss Prevention Manager and Logistics Manager, I have seen the things that are successful to grow a business. One of those things is the use of Alpha Keepers to protect merchandise and still make them available to customers.
Alpha Keepers are hard, solid, clear plastic boxes that allow retailers to secure product while keeping it available for customers to handle. The boxes are built to activate Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) alarms if carried through an EAS antenna. Merchandise is placed in the box and the hinged door of the box is locked and can only be opened by a detachment key at a point of sale or a handheld key carried by an associate.
Sometimes the cases are not used to their fullest advantage. Take for example the retail store I currently work for. We carry products that we do place in Alpha Keepers, such as some ink cartridges, most jump drives, and the majority of SD cards. On the other hand we also carry external computer hard drives we do not place in keepers. Instead, the store has cardboard pictures of the hard drives in the box, but no actual units. The hard drives are maintained in a locked stockroom, and can only be retrieved by someone with a key. Frequently customers want to purchase a hard drive and if the associate providing assistance does not have the set of keys for the stockroom, a call has to be made for further assistance.
We pride ourselves on providing great customer service, but it could be improved if we allowed the Alpha Keepers to work as intended. The purpose of the anti-theft devices is to prevent shoplifting while still giving customers access to merchandise. The Keepers allow the customers to read details on the item to be purchases, see actual size and also read warning labels. I have assisted a number of patrons who had very specific questions about a hard drive they were looking at and the only way to answer the question was to read the information printed on the box. For example, one question I am asked is, “Does this come with a USB cable?” I have to look for the information on the box. The problem is that the information is not on the card inside the Keeper and my handheld portable scanner does not give me all the information on the item needed to answer the question. I have to get into the stockroom, find the merchandise and then look at the box for the information. If the merchandise were in the Keepers there would be no need for the extra trip to the stockroom and further delay for the customer.
One of the things we strive to do in our store is close a sale by getting merchandise into the hands of the customer. This helps to overcome any objections customers may have to making a purchase. Getting merchandise out of lock-up cases and into Alpha Keepers is a great way to put the merchandise in the customer’s hands while promoting customer service and preventing shoplifting. This is a win for retailers all the way around.
Need information on Alpha Keepers? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
I admire business owners who take a risk and open a small retail store or a small chain of stores. Having spent twenty-six years in retail I have a love for the business and a desire to see people succeed. Much of the advice I can give is from first-hand experience working with retail anti-theft devices to prevent shoplifting. As I former retail Security Officer, Retail Loss Prevention Manager and Logistics Manager, I have seen the things that are successful to grow a business. One of those things is the use of Alpha Keepers to protect merchandise and still make them available to customers.
Alpha Keepers are hard, solid, clear plastic boxes that allow retailers to secure product while keeping it available for customers to handle. The boxes are built to activate Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) alarms if carried through an EAS antenna. Merchandise is placed in the box and the hinged door of the box is locked and can only be opened by a detachment key at a point of sale or a handheld key carried by an associate.
Sometimes the cases are not used to their fullest advantage. Take for example the retail store I currently work for. We carry products that we do place in Alpha Keepers, such as some ink cartridges, most jump drives, and the majority of SD cards. On the other hand we also carry external computer hard drives we do not place in keepers. Instead, the store has cardboard pictures of the hard drives in the box, but no actual units. The hard drives are maintained in a locked stockroom, and can only be retrieved by someone with a key. Frequently customers want to purchase a hard drive and if the associate providing assistance does not have the set of keys for the stockroom, a call has to be made for further assistance.
We pride ourselves on providing great customer service, but it could be improved if we allowed the Alpha Keepers to work as intended. The purpose of the anti-theft devices is to prevent shoplifting while still giving customers access to merchandise. The Keepers allow the customers to read details on the item to be purchases, see actual size and also read warning labels. I have assisted a number of patrons who had very specific questions about a hard drive they were looking at and the only way to answer the question was to read the information printed on the box. For example, one question I am asked is, “Does this come with a USB cable?” I have to look for the information on the box. The problem is that the information is not on the card inside the Keeper and my handheld portable scanner does not give me all the information on the item needed to answer the question. I have to get into the stockroom, find the merchandise and then look at the box for the information. If the merchandise were in the Keepers there would be no need for the extra trip to the stockroom and further delay for the customer.
One of the things we strive to do in our store is close a sale by getting merchandise into the hands of the customer. This helps to overcome any objections customers may have to making a purchase. Getting merchandise out of lock-up cases and into Alpha Keepers is a great way to put the merchandise in the customer’s hands while promoting customer service and preventing shoplifting. This is a win for retailers all the way around.
Need information on Alpha Keepers? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Bottle Service-5 WC Blog 201
Bottle Services-3
Nightclub-5
Bottle Locks-5
Is Your Nightclub Dying? Breathe New Life Into It By Adding A Bottle Service
I live in a tourist area popular for the golf courses, shopping, beaches and nightlife. I have been noticing over the years that many of the clubs that used to be “The Place to Go” have quietly closed their doors in recent years. In their place, new clubs have opened and then shut their doors as well. It made me put on my investigator hat as I wondered what it is that is causing these businesses to close, aside from the obvious answer that not enough people are going there. Something has changed that is resulting in this trend and I couldn’t put my finger on it. As I pondered this I also wondered if a nightclub could do something different that would enhance the club experience and bring customers back. The answer I came up with may be that a club establishes a bottle service.
I will visit some of the reasons nightclubs are closing up in a moment, but first I want to explain how bottle services function and how it can help draw in customers. Bottle services can take on many different forms, tailored to meet the style of the individual club owner/manager. The basic service should include group reservations for parties as small as two people and as large as a club can handle. For small groups the club should arrange for prime seating near the dance floor or the band. To cater to larger groups, the club may want to set aside a room with a view to the dance floor, perhaps a bar and bartender for personalized service. If the club has a cover charge at the door, a group that has purchased the bottle service would have the cover charge waived and would be met by a host or hostess and escorted past the line of customers to go to their table/booth or room.
A bottle service will include a bottle(s) of top shelf wine or liquor and mixers of the purchaser’s choice. Once seated, the group will have a dedicated bottle server who will pour and mix drinks for the group and control the drink flow with bottle locks on each bottle. The server has a detachment key that is used to remove the bottle locks when drinks are to be poured and then the lock is replaced. This prevents someone from pouring their own servings from the bottle. The servers are instrumental in making sure the experience is successful. They MUST be well trained in providing customer service, engaging their customers and creating an enjoyable evening. An added benefit of using bottle locks is that the server can monitor whether a member of the group is becoming too intoxicated and can control the amount of alcohol being mixed into that person’s glass.
So back to my original question, “What is causing nightclubs to close?” According to nightclub.com, in an article by Bernadette Hasson, September 29, 2015, “Millennial Impact: The Evolution of Nightclubs”, “Studies show millennials aren’t frequenting nightclubs the way the preceding Gen Y did. Slightly more than 60% of millennials go out to clubs, and among those who do, only 25% do so more than once a month (ULI and Lachman Associates).” The writer goes on to list some of the reasons given by millennials including; throwing more house parties that cost less money, they pick venues they can post on social media, and they won’t accept watered down drinks in clubs. Some of the reasons for not going were based on their perceptions of what clubs used to be for and how they are not needed for that purpose any longer such as, “…they see a club as a place to hook up and instead use a dating app…” If millennials have these perceptions, then there must be new strategies to address those concerns.
Making a night out a good time, and emphasizing the music and entertainment along with a fun bottle server could remove the perception of trying to “meet or hook-up”. A waiter or waitress controlling the drinks and bottle locks can ensure drinks are properly measured and not “watered down”. Any number of décor or lighting changes can make better optics for social media posts. Other concerns such as long lines to get into a club, cover charges and rude service can all be rectified by adding a bottle service to a club.
Clubs don’t have to close because they lack appeal to a new generation. Adding bottle services and using bottle locks, along with a focus on customer service can appeal to the new clientele who may have different ideas of what they are looking for in terms of entertainment. Start a bottle service now and watch your business grow.
Get more information on bottle service, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
I live in a tourist area popular for the golf courses, shopping, beaches and nightlife. I have been noticing over the years that many of the clubs that used to be “The Place to Go” have quietly closed their doors in recent years. In their place, new clubs have opened and then shut their doors as well. It made me put on my investigator hat as I wondered what it is that is causing these businesses to close, aside from the obvious answer that not enough people are going there. Something has changed that is resulting in this trend and I couldn’t put my finger on it. As I pondered thisI also wondered if a nightclub could do something different that would enhance the club experience and bring customers back. The answer I came up with may be that a club establishes a bottle service.
I will visit some of the reasons nightclubs are closing up in a moment, but first I want to explain how bottle services function and how it can help draw in customers. Bottle services can take on many different forms, tailored to meet the style of the individual club owner/manager. The basic service should include group reservations for parties as small as two people and as large as a club can handle. For small groups the club should arrange for prime seating near the dance floor or the band. To cater to larger groups, the club may want to set aside a room with a view to the dance floor, perhaps a bar and bartender for personalized service. If the club has a cover charge at the door, a group that has purchased the bottle service would have the cover charge waived and would be met by a host or hostess and escorted past the line of customers to go to their table/booth or room.
A bottle service will include a bottle(s) of top shelf wine or liquor and mixers of the purchaser’s choice. Once seated, the group will have a dedicated bottle server who will pour and mix drinks for the group and control the drink flow with bottle locks on each bottle. The server has a detachment key that is used to remove the bottle locks when drinks are to be poured and then the lock is replaced. This prevents someone from pouring their own servings from the bottle. The servers are instrumental in making sure the experience is successful. They MUST be well trained in providing customer service, engaging their customers and creating an enjoyable evening. An added benefit of using bottle locks is that the server can monitor whether a member of the group is becoming too intoxicated and can control the amount of alcohol being mixed into that person’s glass.
So back to my original question, “What is causing nightclubs to close?” According to nightclub.com, in an article by Bernadette Hasson, September 29, 2015, “Millennial Impact: The Evolution of Nightclubs”, “Studies show millennials aren’t frequenting nightclubs the way the preceding Gen Y did. Slightly more than 60% of millennials go out to clubs, and among those who do, only 25% do so more than once a month (ULI and Lachman Associates).” The writer goes on to list some of the reasons given by millennials including; throwing more house parties that cost less money, they pick venues they can post on social media, and they won’t accept watered down drinks in clubs. Some of the reasons for not going were based on their perceptions of what clubs used to be for and how they are not needed for that purpose any longer such as, “…they see a club as a place to hook up and instead use a dating app…” If millennials have these perceptions, then there must be new strategies to address those concerns.
Making a night out a good time, and emphasizing the music and entertainment along with a fun bottle server could remove the perception of trying to “meet or hook-up”. A waiter or waitress controlling the drinks and bottle locks can ensure drinks are properly measured and not “watered down”. Any number of décor or lighting changes can make better optics for social media posts. Other concerns such as long lines to get into a club, cover charges and rude service can all be rectified by adding a bottle service to a club.
Clubs don’t have to close because they lack appeal to a new generation. Adding bottle services and using bottle locks, along with a focus on customer service can appeal to the new clientele who may have different ideas of what they are looking for in terms of entertainment. Start a bottle service now and watch your business grow.
Get more information on bottle service, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
There are a lot of things that make me angry and make me want to go on one of my rants. People with “txtl8r” bumper stickers on their cars who are driving and texting irritate me People assuming that turn signals are optional equipment when they buy a car…NO signals actually come with the vehicle and are to be used. Giving me the universal gesture when I have to beep my horn at someone because they are texting at a light and it turns green and the 20 cars ahead of them have already gone but that driver wasn’t paying attention. Receiving phone calls on my home phone with “private call” showing on my caller ID and when I pick up, the solicitor on the other end asks who I am…YOU called ME, and took the time to use call block and you’re asking who I AM? Cable TV companies that raise MY rates multiple times as a 20 year customer and offer “Special” rates for new customers who haven’t shown any loyalty! Last but not least (for now), helping a customer in the store I work at, telling them my system says I have an item on hand and then finding out the shelf is empty and we don’t have it, usually due to theft! Shoplifters make me ANGRY! That is why stores should use retail anti-theft devices, such as the Alpha Thunder Tag on merchandise to prevent shoplifting.
Retail anti-theft devices come in a wide range of designs and styles, but one of the more versatile devices is the Alpha Thunder Tag. Alpha’s lines of hard tags are designed to be compatible with electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas. This means that if a tag is in the vicinity of an antenna it will cause the antennas to activate their audible alarms and LED lights alerting store employees of unpaid merchandise being taken out the doors. The Alpha Thunder tag not only activates EAS antennas, they also have a built in tamper alarm that sounds if there is an attempt to remove it from merchandise. A third alarm in the tag activates in the tag itself if it is carried out through EAS antennas.
This retail anti-theft device has adhesive backing that allows it to be attached to a product and cannot be detached without the use of an Alpha detachment key. This style of tag allows it to be stuck to boxed merchandise or even displays, such as tablets, i-pads and laptop computers without damaging the display when you are ready to sell it. Going back to what irritates me, one of the expensive items we sell in our store that I would like to see the Alpha Thunder Tag used on would be all of the laser jet printer cartridges and laser jet drums that we sell. While some of the cartridges are protected with retail anti-theft devices, the company direction does not dictate all cartridges to be secured. This becomes the source of frustration when trying to help a customer and telling them that we have something on hand and a thorough search finds we do not have it. Using Alpha Thunder Tags would eliminate a significant amount of the theft of these products.
One other benefit of using this particular anti-theft device is that it is small enough that it does not add a considerable amount of size to a box so the shelf capacity remains high. More products on the floor equate to increased sales and the tags minimize the risk of theft and prevent shoplifting, therefore profit is increased as well.
Prevent shoplifting in your store by using Alpha Thunder Tags on products. Your in-stocks and profit line will improve and who knows, maybe someone just like me who works in your store won’t have this to rant about any longer.
Need more information on Alpha Thunder Tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Checkpoint security tags-4 WC blog 199
Checkpoint hard tags-4
Stop Shoplifting-3
Electronic Article Surveillance-4
Tightening Security And Putting A Stop To Shoplifting With Checkpoint Hard Tags
When I was a United States Air Force Security Policeman there were times I was posted at a checkpoint to the base flightline. While stationed at the post I would check identification cards to ensure that only authorized personnel were entering restricted areas. Unauthorized persons would either be turned around or detained and placed in handcuffs, depending on where the checkpoint was located. The purpose of these checkpoints was to protect Air Force planes and property from possible attack or sabotage from would be enemies. Since my military service happened to be mostly during peacetime, the only “attackers” I dealt with were during base exercises, although I did have to really detain a number of people at various times for entering restricted areas, most were just inattentive to what they were doing. In situations where I did have to detain someone I would alert other security personnel with a call over the radio for back-up. In a manner of speaking Checkpoint security tags fill a similar role. They stop shoplifting before it takes place because they act as a warning sign to potential thieves.
When Checkpoint security tags are placed on merchandise they serve as a warning sign to bad guys that crossing the line and stealing the protected item would be a very bad idea. Just as my job at the checkpoint was to deter someone from trying to gain unauthorized entry, Checkpoint security tags are a deterrent to unauthorized removal of merchandise. Checkpoint hard tags are designed to be pinned to an article of clothing in a place that will be visible to shoppers. The tags don’t interfere with trying on clothing, so shoppers can still make sure a piece of clothing fits before purchasing it. In most situations however, a shoplifter will choose to go after some other item that is not protected when they see the tags. If a store has an aggressive tagging strategy the shoplifter is likely to simply leave and steal somewhere else. The Checkpoint hard tags are designed in two pieces that connect together to create a tight fit and are not easily separated without the use of a detachment key, which is normally controlled at the front end of the store. An amateur shoplifter may try to remove a tag but will get frustrated quickly. The professional shoplifters know what tags can do and try to avoid them. I should also mention that the tags have electronic article surveillance technology built into them which is another facet of their deterrence value.
If you are not very familiar with Checkpoint security tags you may not be aware that they work best when used in conjunction with Checkpoint electronic article surveillance antennas. These are the things you often see at the entry/exit points of a store when you walk through the door. Electronic article surveillance antennas “sense” when a tag is carried into its radio frequency range and sound an alarm and flash bright lights to alert store employees that unpaid merchandise is being removed from the store. Though it may be a bit of a stretch, this is similar to the alert I would send out when I was at a checkpoint and I had a security breach and called for back-up. The alert the antenna sends provides an opportunity for store staff to stop shoplifting and recover merchandise through a receipt check. There are also times when the alarm at the door will be enough to cause a shoplifter to drop the item they were attempting to steal and run away. Either way, the merchandise is recovered for the store.
In the military, staffing checkpoints and beefing up security served two purposes. The first was deterrence, by making a potential target more unappealing to attackers because the risk of failing or being caught was greater. Second, it gave additional manpower to respond in the event a penetration was to occur. Checkpoint hard tags and electronic article surveillance antennas are a retailer’s equivalent to those checkpoints. The tags act as a deterrent to stop shoplifting and the antennas provide the alert to get staff to respond if a breach is taking place. Okay, I admit my analogy it may sound a little extreme but you get the point. Checkpoint hard tags can protect your merchandise and keep your profits growing!
Get more information on Checkpoint Hard Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
When I was a United States Air Force Security Policeman there were times I was posted at a checkpoint to the base flightline. While stationed at the post I would check identification cards to ensure that only authorized personnel were entering restricted areas. Unauthorized persons would either be turned around or detained and placed in handcuffs, depending on where the checkpoint was located. The purpose of these checkpoints was to protect Air Force planes and property from possible attack or sabotage from would be enemies. Since my military service happened to be mostly during peacetime, the only “attackers” I dealt with were during base exercises, although I did have to really detain a number of people at various times for entering restricted areas, most were just inattentive to what they were doing. In situations where I did have to detain someone I would alert other security personnel with a call over the radio for back-up. In a manner of speaking Checkpoint security tags fill a similar role. They stop shoplifting before it takes place because they act as a warning sign to potential thieves.
When Checkpoint security tags are placed on merchandise they serve as a warning sign to bad guys that crossing the line and stealing the protected item would be a very bad idea. Just as my job at the checkpoint was to deter someone from trying to gain unauthorized entry, Checkpoint security tags are a deterrent to unauthorized removal of merchandise. Checkpoint hard tags are designed to be pinned to an article of clothing in a place that will be visible to shoppers. The tags don’t interfere with trying on clothing, so shoppers can still make sure a piece of clothing fits before purchasing it. In most situations however, a shoplifter will choose to go after some other item that is not protected when they see the tags. If a store has an aggressive tagging strategy the shoplifter is likely to simply leave and steal somewhere else. The Checkpoint hard tags are designed in two pieces that connect together to create a tight fit and are not easily separated without the use of a detachment key, which is normally controlled at the front end of the store. An amateur shoplifter may try to remove a tag but will get frustrated quickly. The professional shoplifters know what tags can do and try to avoid them. I should also mention that the tags have electronic article surveillance technology built into them which is another facet of their deterrence value.
If you are not very familiar with Checkpoint security tags you may not be aware that they work best when used in conjunction with Checkpoint electronic article surveillance antennas. These are the things you often see at the entry/exit points of a store when you walk through the door. Electronic article surveillance antennas “sense” when a tag is carried into its radio frequency range and sound an alarm and flash bright lights to alert store employees that unpaid merchandise is being removed from the store. Though it may be a bit of a stretch, this is similar to the alert I would send out when I was at a checkpoint and I had a security breach and called for back-up. The alert the antenna sends provides an opportunity for store staff to stop shoplifting and recover merchandise through a receipt check. There are also times when the alarm at the door will be enough to cause a shoplifter to drop the item they were attempting to steal and run away. Either way, the merchandise is recovered for the store.
In the military, staffing checkpoints and beefing up security served two purposes. The first was deterrence, by making a potential target more unappealing to attackers because the risk of failing or being caught was greater. Second, it gave additional manpower to respond in the event a penetration was to occur. Checkpoint hard tags and electronic article surveillance antennas are a retailer’s equivalent to those checkpoints. The tags act as a deterrent to stop shoplifting and the antennas provide the alert to get staff to respond if a breach is taking place. Okay, I admit my analogy it may sound a little extreme but you get the point.
Checkpoint hard tags can protect your merchandise and keep your profits growing! Get more information on Checkpoint Hard Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Liquor Bottle Security-4 WC blog 179
Bottle Locks-5
Bottle Lock-3
Bottle Locks Can Improve Operational Shortage While Preventing Theft.
In my articles I tend to focus a lot on retail theft, both employee theft and theft due to shoplifting. Generally these two areas comprise approximately 80% of all the merchandise shortage experienced by retailers. In fact, according to the 2014-2015 Global Retail Theft Barometer shoplifting accounted for 36% of stock shortage while employee theft caused 45% of losses. This leaves 19% of retail losses in 2014-2015 due to other factors 6% of which are vendor shortage and 13% operational issues. When it comes to liquor stores, this can be a significant issue because of the drain it causes to profits. I want to take this opportunity to discuss how bottle locks can help not only with theft prevention but also operational losses.
Without any protection, liquor and wine bottles can be removed from a store without notice and of course, the person can indulge in drinking the beverage(s). Liquor bottle security deters theft and keeps product from being shoplifted. Liquor bottle security may be in the form of lock up display cases or the use of bottle locks. A bottle lock is attached to the top of a bottle and locked in place preventing access to the contents. Although they come in a variety of styles and designs, Alpha security bottle locks are the optimum in merchandise protection. They are nearly impossible to pry off of a bottle without the proper detachment tool, and if an attempt is made to pry it the result may very well be a broken bottle.
Bottle locks are also the preferred method for liquor bottle security because they are compatible with Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) antennas. Walking through EAS antennas with a bottle that has a lock on it causes the antenna alarm to sound and lights built in the antennas to flash. This alerts store personnel and the customer that they have merchandise on their person or in a shopping cart that in all probability has not been paid for yet.
How does this impact operational shortage and does it make that big a difference for liquor store owners? Let me address the latter question first, does it make a difference for liquor store owners? Absolutely! In an August 31, 2014 forbes.com article, “The Least Profitable Businesses In The U.S.”, writer Mary Ellen Biery cites a “Sageworks” report that lists beer, wine and liquor stores as having a net profit margin of 1.7% ( rated in a 12 month survey ending on 7/1/14). This was the fifth lowest net profit margin industry in a list of fifteen businesses. That is a pretty thin margin, but if operational issues along with theft could be reduced then needless to say, that margin increases and puts more money to the bottom line.
Now, to address how the use of bottle locks can improve operational shortage. It is not uncommon for shoppers to forget about an item left on the bottom rack of a shopping cart or something that has rolled under the child seat of a buggy and after checking out, go to the vehicle and load the items up. If the cashier overlooks these items and they go out the door, there is a strong possibility the merchandise won’t be brought back in and paid for by the customer. This is a big factor in operation shortage. With their EAS capability, should an item(s) with a bottle lock be overlooked by cashier and customer, the lock will activate the antenna alarm as the bottle(s) is rolled out the door. The error can be corrected at the point of sale and a new transaction rung up to account for the stray merchandise.
Liquor bottle security can be used to prevent theft but by using a bottle lock instead of a locking display case you can empower customers to shop and select merchandise with minimal chances for theft. Accidental losses through operational miscues are prevented and profit margins grow.
Liquor bottle security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
In my articles I tend to focus a lot on retail theft, both employee theft and theft due to shoplifting. Generally these two areas comprise approximately 80% of all the merchandise shortage experienced by retailers. In fact, according to the 2014-2015 Global Retail Theft Barometer shoplifting accounted for 36% of stock shortage while employee theft caused 45% of losses. This leaves 19% of retail losses in 2014-2015 due to other factors 6% of which are vendor shortage and 13% operational issues. When it comes to liquor stores, this can be a significant issue because of the drain it causes to profits. I want to take this opportunity to discuss how bottle locks can help not only with theft prevention but also operational losses.
Without any protection, liquor and wine bottles can be removed from a store without notice and of course, the person can indulge in drinking the beverage(s). Liquor bottle security deters theft and keeps product from being shoplifted. Liquor bottle security may be in the form of lock up display cases or the use of bottle locks. A bottle lock is attached to the top of a bottle and locked in place preventing access to the contents. Although they come in a variety of styles and designs, Alpha security bottle locks are the optimum in merchandise protection. They are nearly impossible to pry off of a bottle without the proper detachment tool, and if an attempt is made to pry it the result may very well be a broken bottle.
Bottle locks are also the preferred method for liquor bottle security because they are compatible with Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) antennas. Walking through EAS antennas with a bottle that has a lock on it causes the antenna alarm to sound and lights built in the antennas to flash. This alerts store personnel and the customer that they have merchandise on their person or in a shopping cart that in all probability has not been paid for yet.
How does this impact operational shortage and does it make that big a difference for liquor store owners? Let me address the latter question first, does it make a difference for liquor store owners? Absolutely! In an August 31, 2014 forbes.com article, “The Least Profitable Businesses In The U.S.”, writer Mary Ellen Biery cites a “Sageworks” report that lists beer, wine and liquor stores as having a net profit margin of 1.7% ( rated in a 12 month survey ending on 7/1/14). This was the fifth lowest net profit margin industry in a list of fifteen businesses. That is a pretty thin margin, but if operational issues along with theft could be reduced then needless to say, that margin increases and puts more money to the bottom line.
Now, to address how the use of bottle locks can improve operational shortage. It is not uncommon for shoppers to forget about an item left on the bottom rack of a shopping cart or something that has rolled under the child seat of a buggy and after checking out, go to the vehicle and load the items up. If the cashier overlooks these items and they go out the door, there is a strong possibility the merchandise won’t be brought back in and paid for by the customer. This is a big factor in operation shortage. With their EAS capability, should an item(s) with a bottle lock be overlooked by cashier and customer, the lock will activate the antenna alarm as the bottle(s) is rolled out the door. The error can be corrected at the point of sale and a new transaction rung up to account for the stray merchandise.
Liquor bottle security can be used to prevent theft but by using a bottle lock instead of a locking display case you can empower customers to shop and select merchandise with minimal chances for theft. Accidental losses through operational miscues are prevented and profit margins grow.
Liquor bottle security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
