Medical tablet theft and i-pad theft are an increasing concern as more and more medical providers and facilities see the value of this technology and are integrating it in the healthcare profession. The theft of an i-pad carries with it not only the actual cost of the hardware, but also the potential compromise of patient information. I have written previously that one solution to prevent the theft of medical i-pads is the use of Alpha Thunder Tags and electronic article surveillance antennas. It has crossed my mind that if medical facilities can protect their own devices with anti-theft devices, what about the potential to also protect patient’s tablets and i-pads from theft?
Before I go on, you may be not be familiar with Alpha Thunder Tags so let me first tell you a little about what the tag is and how it prevents medical i-pad theft or tablet theft. The Thunder Tag is a reusable, anti-theft device that is attached to a mobile medical device. If tampered with, the tag emits a loud, piercing alarm. If it is carried within the range of an electronic article surveillance (EAS) antenna located near a doorway or entrance, the antenna alarm activates and staff is warned that someone is attempting to walk out with a device. The 3 Alarm version of the tag also has a built in alarm that will sound if the protected device is carried past the EAS antenna.
My thinking on the subject is this; theft from hospital patients is a very real issue. While it may not be commonplace, there are numerous documented incidents of theft from patients and some of these have included tablet and i-pad theft. Here are some examples:
In a Sept. 12, 2014 story, according to dailybruin.com, a medical student allegedly stole an i-pad from a dying woman.
I
n a Globalnews.ca, 17 April 2013 article, a new mother had her wallets and i-pad stolen from her hospital room in a Canadian hospital.
According to App.com in a 26 December 2015 article, an AristaCare at Whiting assisted-living facility nursing assistant was accused of stealing i-pads as well as other personal belongings from patients.
Pix 11.com reported on July 24, 2015, that from January to May a serial thief was sneaking into rooms and stealing valuables. On 1 May 2015 the subject stole a tablet from an elderly man’s room.
Suppose a medical center is taking steps to protect themselves from tablet theft and i-pad theft by using Alpha Thunder Tags. The hospital would already have the EAS antennas in place to detect devices being removed from the facility. Now consider as a part of the check in process for patients, the offering of Alpha Thunder Tags for patient laptops and i-pads. If accepted, facility staff could apply a tag to the patient’s device and upon checkout; staff could remove the tag with their controlled removal tool. If a thief attempted to steal a patient’s i-pad or tablet, the same system protecting hospital equipment would also protect patients.
From a public relations standpoint, offering anti-theft protection to patients for personal devices could be a significant boost to customer trust and satisfaction. For liability purposes, offering such devices could reduce hospital responsibility if a loss took place and a patient had refused the option of a Thunder Tag. I am not a legal expert, but it would seem to me that if the situation were to arise and a healthcare facility could show that the same protection they use for their equipment was offered to a patient and it was refused, responsibility would then seem to have to be borne by the victim.
There should be no question that protecting hospital i-pads and tablets from theft has to be a requirement, considering the costs associated with lost patient data. With a system already in place, why not offer the same protections of Alpha Thunder Tags to patients and earn the trust of your clientele?
For more information on Alpha Thunder Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
50 PRODUCTS THAT SHOULD BE PROTECTED WITH CHECKPOINT LABELS – PT 4
You know, I’m really enjoying this series. I wish when I first started in the retail Management and LP business, someone would have put together a list like this for me. I still find items almost weekly that should be secured with Checkpoint Labels, or other security measures, and I’m sure that’s the case with most in my position. We all want to be as proactive to loss reduction as possible, so we’ll continue the series with some more commonly stolen; and even more commonly not-protected items.
16. Toothpaste
If you recall in part 3 of the series, we talked a lot about those home care product and how they are just so appealing to boosters. Toothpaste ranks as one of the top 10 commonly stolen personal use products and again it’s due to the easy of concealment and the large market that exists for the stolen goods. That couple with a lack of EAS labels on most brands, you have a perfect storm brewing for massive losses. You can deter this type of theft with a simple Checkpoint Label. I would suggest placing the label directly on the tube of toothpaste, in lieu of the box, as thieves have gotten pretty wise and I’ve seen an increase in cases where they meticulously remove the tubes from boxes to avoid detection going out the door.
17. Lipstick
From teens, to the elderly that are going play a round of bingo, lipstick is a very popular cosmetic. It’s also incredibly easy to steal, due to the size. Did you know that Checkpoint Labels come in a variety of sizes that can fit just about every need? There are some simple EAS Labels that can be applied to these items to discourage anyone from slipping a tube in their pocket.
18. Headphones
Headphones come in so many shapes and sizes. Whether you carry the large, over the ear line, or the slim in-ear buds, these are popular amongst a wide variety of demographics. They are even more popular amongst the thieves. Fear not, Checkpoint Labels make a great physical deterrence to any would be thief.
19. Cookware
Not too long ago, my girlfriend and I walked into a speciality cookware store, looking for some inexpensive dinnerware. I enjoy cooking, and most of my meals during the week are home cooked, so I don’t mind spending a bit of money on an item that I know will last me several years. If you’ve ever found yourself in the same store, you already know just how expensive some cookware can be! $150 for on pan! That’s a bit much and for that price, it better cook my egg for me… As with any retailer that sells high end items, the risk for shoplifting incidents is always higher, just due to the value of the product. If you sell cookware that is commonly stolen, try using Checkpoint Label to help deter the thieves. Knowing that they will set off the alarm at the exit will usually deter most opportunistic thieves.
20. Thermos Mugs
Yes, believe it or not, I see these get stolen from my stores quite a few times a week. I think mainly the cause is they are not protected in any way shape or form. My particular company doesn’t see the need to use an EAS Label here, so I have to battle the thieves pretty often. You, however, most likely own your store, or at least are a decision maker when it comes to product protection. If you’re struggling with missing inventory, it could be a theft problem. A simple label to the bottom of the mug will prevent most theft.
For more information about Checkpoint Labels, contact us or call 1.8.66.426.0547
You know, I’m really enjoying this series. I wish when I first started in the retail Management and LP business, someone would have put together a list like this for me. I still find items almost weekly that should be secured with Checkpoint Labels, or other security measures, and I’m sure that’s the case with most in my position. We all want to be as proactive to loss reduction as possible, so we’ll continue the series with some more commonly stolen; and even more commonly not-protected items.
16. Toothpaste
If you recall in part 3 of the series, we talked a lot about those home care product and how they are just so appealing to boosters. Toothpaste ranks as one of the top 10 commonly stolen personal use products and again it’s due to the easy of concealment and the large market that exists for the stolen goods. That couple with a lack of EAS labels on most brands, you have a perfect storm brewing for massive losses. You can deter this type of theft with a simple Checkpoint Label. I would suggest placing the label directly on the tube of toothpaste, in lieu of the box, as thieves have gotten pretty wise and I’ve seen an increase in cases where they meticulously remove the tubes from boxes to avoid detection going out the door.
17. Lipstick
From teens, to the elderly that are going play a round of bingo, lipstick is a very popular cosmetic. It’s also incredibly easy to steal, due to the size. Did you know that Checkpoint Labels come in a variety of sizes that can fit just about every need? There are some simple EAS Labels that can be applied to these items to discourage anyone from slipping a tube in their pocket.
18. Headphones
Headphones come in so many shapes and sizes. Whether you carry the large, over the ear line, or the slim in-ear buds, these are popular amongst a wide variety of demographics. They are even more popular amongst the thieves. Fear not, Checkpoint Labels make a great physical deterrence to any would be thief.
19. Cookware
Not too long ago, my girlfriend and I walked into a speciality cookware store, looking for some inexpensive dinnerware. I enjoy cooking, and most of my meals during the week are home cooked, so I don’t mind spending a bit of money on an item that I know will last me several years. If you’ve ever found yourself in the same store, you already know just how expensive some cookware can be! $150 for on pan! That’s a bit much and for that price, it better cook my egg for me… As with any retailer that sells high end items, the risk for shoplifting incidents is always higher, just due to the value of the product. If you sell cookware that is commonly stolen, try using Checkpoint Label to help deter the thieves. Knowing that they will set off the alarm at the exit will usually deter most opportunistic thieves.
20. Thermos Mugs
Yes, believe it or not, I see these get stolen from my stores quite a few times a week. I think mainly the cause is they are not protected in any way shape or form. My particular company doesn’t see the need to use an EAS Label here, so I have to battle the thieves pretty often. You, however, most likely own your store, or at least are a decision maker when it comes to product protection. If you’re struggling with missing inventory, it could be a theft problem. A simple label to the bottom of the mug will prevent most theft.
For more information about Checkpoint Labels, contact us or call 1.8.66.426.0547
Bottle service-5 WC blog 63
Nightclub-5
Bottle Lock-5
Revel In More Revenue By Adding Bottle Service
If you already own a nightclub or bar, I’m probably not going to be able to tell you much about how lucrative the club industry can be. I’m also not going to be able to tell you how many staff to hire, or what to charge for a drink. But, what I may be able to offer you is a suggestion that can make your business more profitable than it already is. Before I let you in on my suggestion, I would like to share some statistics from nciaa.com (Nightlife and Club Association of America). According to their website: “ A study conducted by Optimize Atlanta with participating Atlanta nightclubs and lounges, reveals interesting information about nightclubs, VIP, Bottle Service, and Group Dynamics. We learned that the average overall bottle price is $239; the overall average drink price is $10.50; 67% consume two or more drinks, shots or cocktails; and spend $55 on average.” Now, consider this information from howmuchisit.org: “…the most common way to charge for bottle service is per bottle. On average, depending on the type of alcohol served, plan on spending anywhere from $200 to as much as $800 per bottle.” They go on to say, “If you want to break it down per person, it is best to estimate $150 – $300 PER person.” So, according to the information from the two websites, the average club patron will spend $55 versus the bottle service patron who may spend as much as $300. The numbers are not guaranteed, part of what needs to be taken into consideration is what a nightclub is offering for their particular packages. No matter how you slice it though, this service can significantly increase a club owner’s profits.
So now you are wondering what a bottle service entails. It is a special offer to groups who are looking for a club that will treat them like VIP’s. This might be for a reunion, a birthday party, or perhaps an after- hours office party. The group pays a price based on the level of service they are seeking. The more amenities requested or the larger the party the more bottles are required to be ordered by the group. For example, a party of four seated in a booth by the dance floor might be charged a price that includes a single bottle of champagne or other top shelf spirit. The alcohol they order should come with a bottle lock and the package price includes a waiter or waitress dedicated to serving the party during the night. The server has a bottle lock key that will permit only the dedicated server to open the bottle and pour drinks. The bottle lock keeps anyone not affiliated with the group from pilfering drinks from the bottle. It also allows the server to control the serving sizes to ensure alcohol measurements are proper. The bottle lock is tamper proof so if someone were to pick up the bottle and take it somewhere to open it, chances are they will break the bottle rather than get it open.
Clubs also benefit with the service because the dedicated server can be more committed to building rapport with the group they are assigned to and will be able to identify if a member of the party might be having too much to drink. If the server believes the customer is too intoxicated a ride home with a designated driver or a cab can be arranged. The bottle lock gives staff the ability to cut off that patron’s alcohol consumption.
Customers will love the opportunity to receive VIP treatment and to be the center of attention. Nightclub owners will enjoy the increased profits that a bottle service will provide.
For more information on bottle service, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
If you already own a nightclub or bar, I’m probably not going to be able to tell you much about how lucrative the club industry can be. I’m also not going to be able to tell you how many staff to hire, or what to charge for a drink. But, what I may be able to offer you is a suggestion that can make your business more profitable than it already is. Before I let you in on my suggestion, I would like to share some statistics from nciaa.com (Nightlife and Club Association of America). According to their website: “ A study conducted by Optimize Atlanta with participating Atlanta nightclubs and lounges, reveals interesting information about nightclubs, VIP, Bottle Service, and Group Dynamics. We learned that the average overall bottle price is $239; the overall average drink price is $10.50; 67% consume two or more drinks, shots or cocktails; and spend $55 on average.” Now, consider this information from howmuchisit.org: “…the most common way to charge for bottle service is per bottle. On average, depending on the type of alcohol served, plan on spending anywhere from $200 to as much as $800 per bottle.” They go on to say, “If you want to break it down per person, it is best to estimate $150 – $300 PER person.” So, according to the information from the two websites, the average club patron will spend $55 versus the bottle service patron who may spend as much as $300. The numbers are not guaranteed, part of what needs to be taken into consideration is what a nightclub is offering for their particular packages. No matter how you slice it though, this service can significantly increase a club owner’s profits.
So now you are wondering what a bottle service entails. It is a special offer to groups who are looking for a club that will treat them like VIP’s. This might be for a reunion, a birthday party, or perhaps an after- hours office party. The group pays a price based on the level of service they are seeking. The more amenities requested or the larger the party the more bottles are required to be ordered by the group. For example, a party of four seated in a booth by the dance floor might be charged a price that includes a single bottle of champagne or other top shelf spirit. The alcohol they order should come with a bottle lock and the package price includes a waiter or waitress dedicated to serving the party during the night. The server has a bottle lock key that will permit only the dedicated server to open the bottle and pour drinks. The bottle lock keeps anyone not affiliated with the group from pilfering drinks from the bottle. It also allows the server to control the serving sizes to ensure alcohol measurements are proper. The bottle lock is tamper proof so if someone were to pick up the bottle and take it somewhere to open it, chances are they will break the bottle rather than get it open.
Clubs also benefit with the service because the dedicated server can be more committed to building rapport with the group they are assigned to and will be able to identify if a member of the party might be having too much to drink. If the server believes the customer is too intoxicated a ride home with a designated driver or a cab can be arranged. The bottle lock gives staff the ability to cut off that patron’s alcohol consumption.
Customers will love the opportunity to receive VIP treatment and to be the center of attention. Nightclub owners will enjoy the increased profits that a bottle service will provide.
For more information on bottle service, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Retail Theft prevention – 3 WC blog 45
stop shoplifting-3
Electronic Article Surveillance Buying Guide
Electronic Article Surveillance systems were created in 1966 by Arthur Minasy in order to prevent thieves from shoplifting from stores. Over the years the industry has grown and with it systems have improved from types of antennas used to detect EAS protected merchandise to the variety of EAS tags used in the industry today. The use of the technology has also grown from being retail theft prevention oriented to having an impact in businesses, libraries, and even into the medical field.
Knowing what you need to secure
It is important to know what it is you want to protect before making a purchasing decision. Are you a small retailer that sells clothing and need to stop shoplifting? Perhaps you own a wine specialty shop and want a retail theft prevention system to protect higher priced wines or other spirits from theft. Many businesses, including medical practices, have adopted newer mobile technologies in the workplace and use tablets and i-pads. Due to the information contained on these devices there is a need to ensure the devices don’t leave the building. While Electronic Article Surveillance systems all work on the same basic principle of a radio frequency reading tags that pass through antennas and alarm if the tag is not deactivated, there are various types of tags and devices that can be used based on the item(s) to be protected.
• Electronic Article Surveillance Tags – These are considered “soft” tags and generally can be applied to cardboard, plastic and ceramic surfaces. They may be purchased in rolls and applied by hand or they can be applied by vendors in a source tagging situation.
• EAS labels – Labels can be custom designed on different materials, for example denim, leather or plastic and vendor source applied. This method conceals the EAS tag, while maintaining the brand and appearance of the merchandise.
• Hard Tags – These tags come in a range of models and types. They can be applied by adhesives, clamps, pins or cables depending on the type of tag being used. Hard tags can be versatile and used on a variety of merchandise and property, including portable office electronics.
• Security boxes – Security boxes allow merchandise to be placed in the box for display purposes and then displayed on a shelf. They are clear so customers can look at the contents and read packaging and carry it around the store until they are ready to check out at a register. These boxes will alarm if tampered with or if someone were to try to exit with the box.
Within the range of available retail theft prevention supplies there are other factors to take into consideration such as whether a 2 alarm device or 3 alarm device makes more sense to meet your demands. The 2 alarm devices alarm if tampered with and activate an EAS antenna alarm if someone attempts to exit with an item that is tagged. The 3 alarm devices add another layer of security by activating not only the antennas, but the alarm device itself if someone were to attempt to exit with tagged product. A new product on the market allows merchandise that is tagged with the appropriate device to be tracked if it leaves a zone it is designated to be in. The merchandise tracking feature will alert store or office staff via mobile devices or computers (even P.A. announcements) if a device is tampered with or moved out of its’ designated zone.
A company specializing in merchandise protection, such as Checkpoint Systems, can provide suggestions on how best to stop shoplifting and/or protect the merchandise or equipment you are selling or using in your business.
Electronic Article Surveillance Antennas
Store or business space can also be a factor when looking at EAS systems. Antennas are the pedestal looking devices you most frequently recognize when you enter or exit a store. These are the devices most people will associate with a system, and may be a concern if your location is not very big. An example might be a small jewelry store that you see in a mall. They don’t tend to have a lot of sales floor space and that space can be constricted. Small medical practices, such as a doctor’s office may not have a lot of space for the lobby and entry ways are tight, allowing only the necessary room for a wheelchair. These situations may not seem suitable for EAS antennas which appear to take up a considerable amount of entry way space. At one time this may have been true, however there are antennas on the market now that take up considerably less space than you might imagine and are compatible with the smaller waiting room or limited sales floor footprint. For locations where space is not a factor, antennas on the market are stylish and have a sleek design. There are also antennas that provide for customer counting options for analyzing traffic data through a store. Some now integrate signing capability that allows a business to incorporate advertising opportunities in the antenna.
Electronic Article Surveillance is continually growing in the scope of businesses that can benefit from installing a system. Whether you are running a small business and need to stop shoplifting or a large medical facility and seek to prevent theft of equipment, electronic article surveillance can be designed to fit your business model.
For more information on retail theft prevention, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Electronic Article Surveillance systems were created in 1966 by Arthur Minasy in order to prevent thieves from shoplifting from stores. Over the years the industry has grown and with it systems have improved from types of antennas used to detect EAS protected merchandise to the variety of EAS tags used in the industry today. The use of the technology has also grown from being retail theft prevention oriented to having an impact in businesses, libraries, and even into the medical field.
Knowing what you need to secure
It is important to know what it is you want to protect before making a purchasing decision. Are you a small retailer that sells clothing and need to stop shoplifting? Perhaps you own a wine specialty shop and want a retail theft prevention system to protect higher priced wines or other spirits from theft. Many businesses, including medical practices, have adopted newer mobile technologies in the workplace and use tablets and i-pads. Due to the information contained on these devices there is a need to ensure the devices don’t leave the building. While Electronic Article Surveillance systems all work on the same basic principle of a radio frequency reading tags that pass through antennas and alarm if the tag is not deactivated, there are various types of tags and devices that can be used based on the item(s) to be protected.
• Electronic Article Surveillance Tags – These are considered “soft” tags and generally can be applied to cardboard, plastic and ceramic surfaces. They may be purchased in rolls and applied by hand or they can be applied by vendors in a source tagging situation.
• EAS labels – Labels can be custom designed on different materials, for example denim, leather or plastic and vendor source applied. This method conceals the EAS tag, while maintaining the brand and appearance of the merchandise.
• Hard Tags – These tags come in a range of models and types. They can be applied by adhesives, clamps, pins or cables depending on the type of tag being used. Hard tags can be versatile and used on a variety of merchandise and property, including portable office electronics.
• Security boxes – Security boxes allow merchandise to be placed in the box for display purposes and then displayed on a shelf. They are clear so customers can look at the contents and read packaging and carry it around the store until they are ready to check out at a register. These boxes will alarm if tampered with or if someone were to try to exit with the box.
Within the range of available retail theft prevention supplies there are other factors to take into consideration such as whether a 2 alarm device or 3 alarm device makes more sense to meet your demands. The 2 alarm devices alarm if tampered with and activate an EAS antenna alarm if someone attempts to exit with an item that is tagged. The 3 alarm devices add another layer of security by activating not only the antennas, but the alarm device itself if someone were to attempt to exit with tagged product. A new product on the market allows merchandise that is tagged with the appropriate device to be tracked if it leaves a zone it is designated to be in. The merchandise tracking feature will alert store or office staff via mobile devices or computers (even P.A. announcements) if a device is tampered with or moved out of its’ designated zone. A company specializing in merchandise protection, such as Checkpoint Systems, can provide suggestions on how best to stop shoplifting and/or protect the merchandise or equipment you are selling or using in your business.
Electronic Article Surveillance Antennas
Store or business space can also be a factor when looking at EAS systems. Antennas are the pedestal looking devices you most frequently recognize when you enter or exit a store. These are the devices most people will associate with a system, and may be a concern if your location is not very big. An example might be a small jewelry store that you see in a mall. They don’t tend to have a lot of sales floor space and that space can be constricted. Small medical practices, such as a doctor’s office may not have a lot of space for the lobby and entry ways are tight, allowing only the necessary room for a wheelchair. These situations may not seem suitable for EAS antennas which appear to take up a considerable amount of entry way space. At one time this may have been true, however there are antennas on the market now that take up considerably less space than you might imagine and are compatible with the smaller waiting room or limited sales floor footprint. For locations where space is not a factor, antennas on the market are stylish and have a sleek design. There are also antennas that provide for customer counting options for analyzing traffic data through a store. Some now integrate signing capability that allows a business to incorporate advertising opportunities in the antenna.
Electronic Article Surveillance is continually growing in the scope of businesses that can benefit from installing a system. Whether you are running a small business and need to stop shoplifting or a large medical facility and seek to prevent theft of equipment, electronic article surveillance can be designed to fit your business model.
For more information on retail theft prevention, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Alpha Keepers -5 WC blog 24
Prevent Shoplifting – 3
Retail Anti Theft Devices-3
Alpha Keepers A Clear Choice For Customer Service
When I walk into a store, I am always evaluating what the store is doing in terms of merchandise protection. What do they have behind their customer service counters? How does that particular store arrange their products and does that arrangement affect staffing and also customer service. I look at retail anti-theft devices and how they are used and how consistent is the store in using those devices. I am also looking to see if Alpha Keepers are used in a store and if not, what do the out-of-stocks look like on their shelves?
Sometimes when I am doing my ‘studying’ I see items protected in protective boxes I had not considered previously. For example, when I started working in an office supply store, I had no idea that for them, printer ink could be such a high theft item. I took note of two strategies that are used by this retailer to prevent shoplifting of ink. First is a corral strategy, the use of gondola shelving and a point of sale counter to create an enclosed area with only one access point. This allows staff to monitor those who enter to select ink cartridges. The other strategy to prevent shoplifting is the use of Alpha Keepers to hold the higher priced cartridge boxes.
Because the protective boxes are designed so well, the customer can see all of the information they need on the cartridge box, the type of cartridge, the printer model it is used in, and other manufacturer information. The box itself is secure and requires the use of a detachment key to open it, allowing a customer the ability to continue shopping if they want to do so with the ink in their possession. I find that the corral effect tends to make customers feel like they have to leave products at the counter or they feel like they can’t go into the area without permission. There is a significant deterrence value in the corralling products as well as, using retail anti-theft devices to work together to keep product in the store. Should a thief attempt to walk out of the store with an Alpha Keeper box, the electronic article surveillance antenna will be set off, adding one more layer of protection to the product.
From an operations viewpoint, the concept being used to prevent shoplifting is beneficial because additional staffing is not required if only one cashier is scheduled to work and that person is stationed at the register where the ink is corralled. Sales and returns are all conducted at the single point of sale and if necessary a back-up cashier can always be requested to open another register. Customers are able to walk into the area and select their ink and if they require assistance, the cashier is right there. If Alpha Keepers were not being used, it would be incumbent on the cashier to not only ring up customers, they would also have to be the person to find and select ink for patrons and hold it until they were ready to complete their shopping.
This brings me back to my point on critiquing what I see in so many stores and consider ‘what if’ questions, for example; What if those items sold only from customer service counters were placed in protective boxes and made available for selection by the customer? How many customers leave a store angry because they had to wait for a cashier to retrieve an item only available behind a customer service counter (such as cartons of cigarettes)? How many customers abandon shopping carts because they get tired of waiting behind someone who has to have merchandise retrieved from behind another counter?
Alpha Keepers come in a wide range of sizes and styles offering a retail anti-theft solution to meet the needs of almost every retailer. Take a look at what is available in Alpha products and see if you might be able to improve sales by making merchandise more available to your customers.
For more information about Alpha Keepers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
.
When I walk into a store, I am always evaluating what the store is doing in terms of merchandise protection. What do they have behind their customer service counters? How does that particular store arrange their products and does that arrangement affect staffing and also customer service. I look at retail anti-theft devices and how they are used and how consistent is the store in using those devices. I am also looking to see if Alpha Keepers are used in a store and if not, what do the out-of-stocks look like on their shelves?
Sometimes when I am doing my ‘studying’ I see items protected in protective boxes I had not considered previously. For example, when I started working in an office supply store, I had no idea that for them, printer ink could be such a high theft item. I took note of two strategies that are used by this retailer to prevent shoplifting of ink. First is a corral strategy, the use of gondola shelving and a point of sale counter to create an enclosed area with only one access point. This allows staff to monitor those who enter to select ink cartridges. The other strategy to prevent shoplifting is the use of Alpha Keepers to hold the higher priced cartridge boxes.
Because the protective boxes are designed so well, the customer can see all of the information they need on the cartridge box, the type of cartridge, the printer model it is used in, and other manufacturer information. The box itself is secure and requires the use of a detachment key to open it, allowing a customer the ability to continue shopping if they want to do so with the ink in their possession. I find that the corral effect tends to make customers feel like they have to leave products at the counter or they feel like they can’t go into the area without permission. There is a significant deterrence value in the corralling products as well as, using retail anti-theft devices to work together to keep product in the store. Should a thief attempt to walk out of the store with an Alpha Keeper box, the electronic article surveillance antenna will be set off, adding one more layer of protection to the product.
From an operations viewpoint, the concept being used to prevent shoplifting is beneficial because additional staffing is not required if only one cashier is scheduled to work and that person is stationed at the register where the ink is corralled. Sales and returns are all conducted at the single point of sale and if necessary a back-up cashier can always be requested to open another register. Customers are able to walk into the area and select their ink and if they require assistance, the cashier is right there. If Alpha Keepers were not being used, it would be incumbent on the cashier to not only ring up customers, they would also have to be the person to find and select ink for patrons and hold it until they were ready to complete their shopping.
This brings me back to my point on critiquing what I see in so many stores and consider ‘what if’ questions, for example; What if those items sold only from customer service counters were placed in protective boxes and made available for selection by the customer? How many customers leave a store angry because they had to wait for a cashier to retrieve an item only available behind a customer service counter (such as cartons of cigarettes)? How many customers abandon shopping carts because they get tired of waiting behind someone who has to have merchandise retrieved from behind another counter?
Alpha Keepers come in a wide range of sizes and styles offering a retail anti-theft solution to meet the needs of almost every retailer. Take a look at what is available in Alpha products and see if you might be able to improve sales by making merchandise more available to your customers.
For more information about Alpha Keepers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
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