Stop Shoplifting-3 , CP Systems-2 , Retail Theft Prevention-2
Retail Theft Prevention Vs. Robbery Prevention
I’ve worked in retail for over fifteen years. I started out in the grocery business and then ventured over to the retail pharmacy sector. In both settings, we had to figure out ways to stop shoplifting on a daily basis. The grocery store I worked in had absolutely no retail theft prevention tools: no EAS system, no cameras, nothing. Well, we did have a fake camera. The small retail pharmacy I work for has made leaps and bounds through the years, upgrading their tools and methods to stop shoplifting over the last decade. When I first started with the company, only the couple inner city locations had any sort of camera system, and they were ancient VHS recorders that required you to change the tape daily. Most stores were in the process of getting Checkpoint Systems installed around the time I was hired, though. Now, over a decade later, all of our stores have DVR systems, Checkpoint Systems, and retail theft prevention plans in place. Just like most retailers, we talk with our staff regularly about the importance of deterring shoplifters. But one thing we don’t talk about enough is robbery prevention or what to do if it does happen.
I worked in one location in our pharmacy business for a little over seven years. It is out of the city limits, near several affluent neighborhoods full of million dollar homes. There is a huge lake nearby. And that same store was the setting for four armed robberies. The last three were all prescription drug related, committed by criminals feeding their opioid addictions. They were actually pretty low key incidents, and the perpetrators were not really looking to create a big scene; they just wanted the pills. The very first robbery, however, was a terrifying experience that I hope to never go through again.
We closed at nine back then, and I was walking over to lock the door when three men came inside. They were all dressed in black from head to toe, and I knew immediately what was happening. (The man that lived across the street saw it happening too; I’ll get to him later) Two of the men demanded access to the office and they wanted all the money dumped into a bag. They wanted all of it, everything out of the drawers, and everything in the safe, including the rolled coin! There were three of us there that night, and while one guy held a gun on me dumping the money, another one held a gun to my assistant’s head and told her she better not move. Meanwhile, outside the office, the other guy had my cashier and was literally dragging him through the aisles at gunpoint. My cashier told him there was nobody else in the store, but he wouldn’t stop until he saw for himself. Once the two in the office verified the safe was empty, they made my assistant dump her purse into their bag as well. Then they made us all go to the stock room and told us to stay and count to a thousand. If one of us came out before they got out the front door, they said they’d kill us all. We did as we were told and waited.
However, they had a surprise waiting for them outside. The man that lived across the street was out there waiting. He had already called 911, and he was on the phone with them. He had his gun too. They started firing at him and he fired back. He got several shots into their getaway car. He was hiding behind his big SUV, but one shot ricocheted off something and hit him in the leg. At that point he lit up their car with the rest of the bullets in his clip. They flew out of the parking lot. Then he came in and found us, assured us it was okay to leave, and got us to safety. The police were outside already when we came out, all with our hands up. They got our neighbor to an ambulance to treat his leg, and figured out which way the robbers had gone. (They didn’t get far because of all the damage he had inflicted to their car.) They found the car abandoned, and the men were actually hiding under a boat slip, hoping the police wouldn’t find them in the water. They did find them with no problem, and a year later they all got maximum sentences at their trial.
There is no way to predict a robbery is going to occur, but if one does, your staff needs to know what to do. We did exactly what we were told, kept our heads down, not looking up or making any eye contact, and never once did any of us try to be a hero. We used caution exiting the building afterward, coming out with our hands up to ensure the police knew we were not the bad guys. That seems like an insult to injury, but it’s for everyone’s safety. All those little things were what kept us alive and resulted in the robbers leaving quickly.
Our neighbor recovered quickly and was hailed as a hero. Our friendship with him will never waiver. I have since moved to a couple different locations, and have never had any incidents at either one. I share this story, not to scare my current staff, but to make them aware that it can happen. Please have the conversation with your employees and if it ever does happen in your business, I hope you have a similar outcome. Focus on the daily job to stop shoplifting, but remember knowing what to do in case of a robbery needs to be talked about too.
Need information on how to stop shoplifting? Contact us or call: 1.770.426.0547.
I’ve worked in retail for over fifteen years. I started out in the grocery business and then ventured over to the retail pharmacy sector. In both settings, we had to figure out ways to stop shoplifting on a daily basis. The grocery store I worked in had absolutely no retail theft prevention tools: no EAS system, no cameras, nothing. Well, we did have a fake camera. The small retail pharmacy I work for has made leaps and bounds through the years, upgrading their tools and methods to stop shoplifting over the last decade. When I first started with the company, only the couple inner city locations had any sort of camera system, and they were ancient VHS recorders that required you to change the tape daily. Most stores were in the process of getting Checkpoint Systems installed around the time I was hired, though. Now, over a decade later, all of our stores have DVR systems, Checkpoint Systems, and retail theft prevention plans in place. Just like most retailers, we talk with our staff regularly about the importance of deterring shoplifters. But one thing we don’t talk about enough is robbery prevention or what to do if it does happen.
I worked in one location in our pharmacy business for a little over seven years. It is out of the city limits, near several affluent neighborhoods full of million dollar homes. There is a huge lake nearby. And that same store was the setting for four armed robberies. The last three were all prescription drug related, committed by criminals feeding their opioid addictions. They were actually pretty low key incidents, and the perpetrators were not really looking to create a big scene; they just wanted the pills. The very first robbery, however, was a terrifying experience that I hope to never go through again.
We closed at nine back then, and I was walking over to lock the door when three men came inside. They were all dressed in black from head to toe, and I knew immediately what was happening. (The man that lived across the street saw it happening too; I’ll get to him later) Two of the men demanded access to the office and they wanted all the money dumped into a bag. They wanted all of it, everything out of the drawers, and everything in the safe, including the rolled coin! There were three of us there that night, and while one guy held a gun on me dumping the money, another one held a gun to my assistant’s head and told her she better not move. Meanwhile, outside the office, the other guy had my cashier and was literally dragging him through the aisles at gunpoint. My cashier told him there was nobody else in the store, but he wouldn’t stop until he saw for himself. Once the two in the office verified the safe was empty, they made my assistant dump her purse into their bag as well. Then they made us all go to the stock room and told us to stay and count to a thousand. If one of us came out before they got out the front door, they said they’d kill us all. We did as we were told and waited.
However, they had a surprise waiting for them outside. The man that lived across the street was out there waiting. He had already called 911, and he was on the phone with them. He had his gun too. They started firing at him and he fired back. He got several shots into their getaway car. He was hiding behind his big SUV, but one shot ricocheted off something and hit him in the leg. At that point he lit up their car with the rest of the bullets in his clip. They flew out of the parking lot. Then he came in and found us, assured us it was okay to leave, and got us to safety. The police were outside already when we came out, all with our hands up. They got our neighbor to an ambulance to treat his leg, and figured out which way the robbers had gone. (They didn’t get far because of all the damage he had inflicted to their car.) They found the car abandoned, and the men were actually hiding under a boat slip, hoping the police wouldn’t find them in the water. They did find them with no problem, and a year later they all got maximum sentences at their trial.
There is no way to predict a robbery is going to occur, but if one does, your staff needs to know what to do. We did exactly what we were told, kept our heads down, not looking up or making any eye contact, and never once did any of us try to be a hero. We used caution exiting the building afterward, coming out with our hands up to ensure the police knew we were not the bad guys. That seems like an insult to injury, but it’s for everyone’s safety. All those little things were what kept us alive and resulted in the robbers leaving quickly.
Our neighbor recovered quickly and was hailed as a hero. Our friendship with him will never waiver. I have since moved to a couple different locations, and have never had any incidents at either one. I share this story, not to scare my current staff, but to make them aware that it can happen. Please have the conversation with your employees and if it ever does happen in your business, I hope you have a similar outcome. Focus on the daily job to stop shoplifting, but remember knowing what to do in case of a robbery needs to be talked about too.
Need information on how to stop shoplifting? Contact us or call: 1.770.426.0547.
USING ALPHA KEEPERS TO SOOTHE THE BURN OF RAZOR THEFT
I walked into my local grocery store last weekend to get some shopping done. I came prepared with my list and a budget. This is the only way I can get out without spending a small fortune. I you’re an avid shopper, you know the flow. Grab your household items first, then boxed/canned stuff, saving the refrigerated/frozen goods right before checkout. You wouldn’t want your milk to spoil after 2 hours in the basket would you? As a bald guy, naturally the first thing on my list is razor blades. I get to the aisle and notice there’s empty Alpha Keepers, but no razors. They must be out, I think to myself as I continue on my trip.
My list is complete, and I’ve even taken in a few free samples (or three). I get to the checkout lanes and I happen to glance over at the service desk and see the razor blades, behind the customer service counter. I asked the cashier why the blades are back there and she tells me that they have to protect razor blades from shoplifters. Being in the business that I’m in, I agree, grab my blades and groceries and head home. In the car, I thought about the empty Alpha Keepers on the shelf and how many customers have probably left empty handed.
Do you own a grocery store, or perhaps a pharmacy? I bet you’re also tired of boosters continually targeting your razor blades. I’d also bet that you’ve gone through a gauntlet of ways to protect razor blades in your store. But are you doing more harm than good with your strategies? There’s a fine line between product protection and customer service. Knowing where that balance stands can mean the difference between shrink and sales.
It’s in my opinion that the second you place any high sales item, like razor blades, in an area not accessible to the customer (say behind a service desk), your sales will immediately take an impact. I see this routinely in my company. Razor blades are no different. There is serious demand for good razors, which also opens the door for a high theft demand as well. Resale ability on stolen goods is quite easy with household and personal care items, so the reward is huge with minimal risk for the shoplifter. So what’s the answer? How do you satisfy the customer, all while limiting the risk of being targeted by thieves? Alpha Keepers.
If you’re serious about protecting razor blades, or any other personal care item that is seeing high shirk in your store, the keeper is the route to take. They allow you to merchandise the blades on your shelves, putting them in the hands of your customer, all while making it very un-attractive to the shoplifter. I can tell you from experience that the Alpha Keeper will help minimize shrink all while helping boost your bottom line. Give them a try and see how much you’ll shave off your bottom line!
Get more information on Alpha Keepers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
I walked into my local grocery store last weekend to get some shopping done. I came prepared with my list and a budget. This is the only way I can get out without spending a small fortune. If you’re an avid shopper, you know the flow. Grab your household items first, then boxed/canned stuff, saving the refrigerated/frozen goods right before checkout. You wouldn’t want your milk to spoil after 2 hours in the basket would you? As a bald guy, naturally the first thing on my list is razor blades. I get to the aisle and notice there’s empty Alpha Keepers, but no razors. They must be out, I think to myself as I continue on my trip.
My list is complete, and I’ve even taken in a few free samples (or three). I get to the checkout lanes and I happen to glance over at the service desk and see the razor blades, behind the customer service counter. I asked the cashier why the blades are back there and she tells me that they have to protect razor blades from shoplifters. Being in the business that I’m in, I agree, grab my blades and groceries and head home. In the car, I thought about the empty Alpha Keepers on the shelf and how many customers have probably left empty handed.
Do you own a grocery store, or perhaps a pharmacy? I bet you’re also tired of boosters continually targeting your razor blades. I’d also bet that you’ve gone through a gauntlet of ways to protect razor blades in your store. But are you doing more harm than good with your strategies? There’s a fine line between product protection and customer service. Knowing where that balance stands can mean the difference between shrink and sales.
It’s in my opinion that the second you place any high sales item, like razor blades, in an area not accessible to the customer (say behind a service desk), your sales will immediately take an impact. I see this routinely in my company. Razor blades are no different. There is serious demand for good razors, which also opens the door for a high theft demand as well. Resale ability on stolen goods is quite easy with household and personal care items, so the reward is huge with minimal risk for the shoplifter. So what’s the answer? How do you satisfy the customer, all while limiting the risk of being targeted by thieves? Alpha Keepers.
If you’re serious about protecting razor blades, or any other personal care item that is seeing high shirk in your store, the keeper is the route to take. They allow you to merchandise the blades on your shelves, putting them in the hands of your customer, all while making it very un-attractive to the shoplifter. I can tell you from experience that the Alpha Keeper will help minimize shrink all while helping boost your bottom line. Give them a try and see how much you’ll shave off your bottom line!
Get more information on Alpha Keepers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Office supply stores are not without their own headaches. I’m sure there are plenty of you out there reading this that either own, or manage a small business that specializes in this category. Just how many ink pens do you get stolen from every year? Well, it doesn’t have to be a lot, as long as you’re using EAS Labels to cut down on theft. The next 5 items on our list are some of the most commonly stolen office supplies.
41. Ink Pens
How easy is it to steal a pack of ink pens? While $4-$5 here and there may not sound like much, what if someone stole 4 packs of ink pens every single day? That’s nearly $10k in lost revenue. Those dollars add up and they add up quick. Protect your inventory with a Checkpoint Label. Even if you reduce theft by 50%, that’s 5K you’re adding right back to the bottom line with one simple solution.
42. Ink/Toner
There are some bigger tagging options out there for ink and toner, but if you’re looking for a minimalistic approach to security tagging, then an EAS Label may fit the bill. The best method of tagging is achieved by placing the Checkpoint Label inside of the packaging. Since the merchandise can still be removed from the packaging quite easily, you may need to look into other security measures if you find this doesn’t help solve your theft problem.
43. Padfolios/Planners
Ever go out and purchase a good planner? I enjoy my leather planner and I paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 for it. When I purchased it, I remarked to my girlfriend how I could have easily switched the tags on the folder for a lesser priced variety. Is this the case in your store? Checkpoint Labels, with the barcode printed on it, can really cut down on the amount of loss, all while not really having an outward appearance of a security device.
44. Calculators
No, I’m not talking about those $2 calculators you can buy at any gas station. I’m talking those $250+ graphing calculators that, even after taking calculus in college, I still have no idea how to use. These are marketed towards students. Students who, in all honesty, don’t have a job and may be struggling to pay for tuition. It’s the perfect first time product to shoplift. It can be easily rationalized and if the product isn’t protected with an EAS label, even easier to steal.
45. Lighters
Ok, well this one isn’t really an “office supply” but you find these things everywhere. Pocket lighters rank as one of the world’s most commonly shoplifted item. They’re small, inexpensive and most retailers don’t bother with any type of security tagging. If you find that you’re losing more than you’re selling, EAS labels may be a viable option to help protect your merchandise.
For more information about Checkpoint Labels contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
Bottle Service – 5 wc blog 162
Bottle Locks – 4
Nightclub -5
Five Ways Bottle Service Can Build Your Business – Part I
Is it possible that owning and operating a nightclub could become a losing proposition? According to an article on the website newtheory.com club patronage by millennials is on a decline. The article, “Bid Farewell: Why Millennials Are Abandoning Nightclubs”, posted October 12, 2015, contends that, “Nightclub and bar attendance has been on a steady decline for the past several years and counting.” The reason for the decline is blamed on millennials and millennials are those who fall into the age bracket between 21 and 38 and they cite this information from a report by research firm, GFK. The story lists a number of reasons given by respondents to an anonymous online survey for not attending clubs regularly. Some of the reasons listed included:
• Expensive cover charges
• High priced drinks
• Long lines
• Slow bar service
• Rude staff
Looking at these reasons for not frequenting clubs, it is clear to me that a significant part of the problem could be solved simply by starting a bottle service which also includes using bottle locks.
The bottle service is simply a group package offered by the nightclub that is purchased in advance by the client for a V.I.P. style evening out. It may be for a party of two or more and the package price is determined by the number of people in the group, the type of reserved seating desired and the number of top shelf spirits or wines purchased (usually one or two bottles). A waiter or waitress is assigned to the group for the evening and serves as the attendant to the group for the night, including serving beverages and mixing drinks. Bottles are served with bottle locks on them to prevent someone from walking off with the party’s drinks. Bottle locks can only be removed by the waiter or waitress with a special detachment key that can be carried on their person. From a customer service perspective, this helps resolve a lot of problems before they happen.
Expensive cover charges was the first complaint listed. What is the reason for a cover charge? Cover charges should be for special events or DJ’s, according to nightclub.com writer Marcus Colon in an October 21, 2014 article, When to Charge a Cover. “ “Cover charges can be tricky because if you charge too much you’ll turn away customers,” says Karla Ortiz, national accounts director at Wanttickets, one of the nation’s premier online ticketing services that works with some of the top nightclubs in the country.” Cover charges may add revenue, but if party goers find someplace with a lower cover fee, they may not return. Adding a bottle service will increase profit through the purchase price of a service and any additional liquor/wine purchases a party may make. Groups purchasing a service pay no cover and it would also allow the owner/manager to lower cover charges for all other patrons.
An additional point to consider with cover charges is that it may hinder how much a customer spends in the club. A modest cover fee may be fine, but owners should recognize that patrons may not spend as much on their drinks or food. It may also mean reduced tips for staff. A bottle service can have a tip built into the price so staff will still be compensated and the customer knows up front what they will be paying. A bottle server who is customer service oriented will unlock bottles and mix drinks for his or her group and make the experience one that will entice a party to return again.
With the decline in club attendance, it is important to find ways to grow your business, not just protect what you have. Lowering or eliminating cover charges and adding a bottle service with the benefits of bottle locks will bring the customers to your establishment time and time again.
Get more information on bottle service, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Is it possible that owning and operating a nightclub could become a losing proposition? According to an article on the website newtheory.com club patronage by millennials is on a decline. The article, “Bid Farewell: Why Millennials Are Abandoning Nightclubs”, posted October 12, 2015, contends that, “Nightclub and bar attendance has been on a steady decline for the past several years and counting.” The reason for the decline is blamed on millennials and millennials are those who fall into the age bracket between 21 and 38 and they cite this information from a report by research firm, GFK. The story lists a number of reasons given by respondents to an anonymous online survey for not attending clubs regularly. Some of the reasons listed included:
• Expensive cover charges
• High priced drinks
• Long lines
• Slow bar service
• Rude staff
Looking at these reasons for not frequenting clubs, it is clear to me that a significant part of the problem could be solved simply by starting a bottle service which also includes using bottle locks.
The bottle service is simply a group package offered by the nightclub that is purchased in advance by the client for a V.I.P. style evening out. It may be for a party of two or more and the package price is determined by the number of people in the group, the type of reserved seating desired and the number of top shelf spirits or wines purchased (usually one or two bottles). A waiter or waitress is assigned to the group for the evening and serves as the attendant to the group for the night, including serving beverages and mixing drinks. Bottles are served with bottle locks on them to prevent someone from walking off with the party’s drinks. Bottle locks can only be removed by the waiter or waitress with a special detachment key that can be carried on their person. From a customer service perspective, this helps resolve a lot of problems before they happen.
An expensive cover charges was the first complaint listed. What is the reason for a cover charge? Cover charges should be for special events or DJ’s, according to nightclub.com writer Marcus Colon in an October 21, 2014 article, When to Charge a Cover. “ “Cover charges can be tricky because if you charge too much you’ll turn away customers,” says Karla Ortiz, national accounts director at Wanttickets, one of the nation’s premier online ticketing services that works with some of the top nightclubs in the country.” Cover charges may add revenue, but if party goers find someplace with a lower cover fee, they may not return. Adding a bottle service will increase profit through the purchase price of a service and any additional liquor/wine purchases a party may make. Groups purchasing a service pay no cover and it would also allow the owner/manager to lower cover charges for all other patrons.
An additional point to consider with cover charges is that it may hinder how much a customer spends in the club. A modest cover fee may be fine, but owners should recognize that patrons may not spend as much on their drinks or food. It may also mean reduced tips for staff. A bottle service can have a tip built into the price so staff will still be compensated and the customer knows up front what they will be paying. A bottle server who is customer service oriented will unlock bottles and mix drinks for his or her group and make the experience one that will entice a party to return again.
With the decline in club attendance, it is important to find ways to grow your business, not just protect what you have. Lowering or eliminating cover charges and adding a bottle service with the benefits of bottle locks will bring the customers to your establishment time and time again.
Get more information on bottle service, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
What is scary to a child, monsters under the bed or in a closet? How about the first day in a new school? Performing in a school play in front of an audience? As a father of three children, I can tell you that a trip to the emergency room is scary, both for the parent AND the child. Removing fear for a child isn’t always easy and it can be even more difficult when the trip is to an emergency room for treatment. It may be an x-ray for a broken arm or the necessity of having stitches put in. I even had to take our son in once for a Styrofoam pellet that lodged in his ear (yup, true story). There can be any number of reasons to have to visit the emergency room but, with all of the doctors and nurses and people in the waiting room it can be frightening. Doctors and nurses have always had to find ways to distract young patients so they can administer tests and treatments. I know I had to hold my children still and try to talk to them so shots could be given, not a fun task since I knew it was hurting them (my wife always wound up being the good guy and hero for the rest of the day). Other distractions that are sometimes used by healthcare professionals are books, candy, and toys. Now, i-pads and computer tablets are being used to distract children during hospital visits to make trips a little easier. The trick for the medical providers is to ensure these medical devices don’t get lost or stolen. i-pad theft has been an issue in schools and from patient’s in hospitals so there is no reason to believe they could not be stolen from an emergency room or children’s hospital. One way to prevent this from happening is to use an Alpha Thunder Tag on tablets and i-pads and install Checkpoint Classic N10 antennas at entrances.
An Alpha Thunder Tag is attached to an i-pad or tablet by an adhesive backing on the tag itself. Tamper proof protection in the tag prevents it from being removed in an attempt to steal the mobile device. If someone tries to remove the tag an internal alarm in the Alpha Thunder Tag sounds a sharp, piercing alert that lets staff know a tag is being removed. When the Classic N10 antennas are installed at entrances and exits, they can pick up the radio frequency of a tag being carried into the range of the antennas. The antenna then sounds an alarm and built in LED lights flash. Workers are able to respond and recover mobile devices in the event of an i-pad theft or tablet theft attempt.
So how are the i-pads and tablets being used for children in hospitals? In an article titled, “i-pads in the ER: Using Gadgets to Make a Hospital Trip Less Scary” in Sciencelife from the University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, August 13, 2012 by Matt Wood, quoting Chelsea Cress, MS, CCLS, a child life specialist from the Child Life and Family Education Department at the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital; “We know that kids can use their imaginations to take them to a place that most grownups can’t,” she said. “Using the iPad really helps them cope with procedures better and forget about what’s happening at the hospital.” In an August 27, 2013 story on stonybrookchildren’s.org website, a story on a donation of four i-pads being donated to the Stony Brook Children’s Hospital by the Starlight Children’s Foundation states, “The tablets will serve more than 27,000 Tri-State area pediatric patients per year and meet the evolving needs of hospitals and children through education, distraction and the healing power of play.”
With i-pads and tablets playing such a critical part in the patient care of children, it is that much more important to take steps to protect these mobile devices. Installing the Classic N10 antennas and attaching an Alpha Thunder Tag to prevent tablet or i-pad theft will ensure the devices are available to young patients for years to come.
Get more information on Alpha Thunder Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
