50 PRODUCTS THAT SHOULD BE PROTECTED WITH CHECKPOINT LABELS – PT3
Let’s step out of the grocery store arena for just a minute. What about small convenience stores? Surely they have tons of merchandise that are appealing to both the professional shoplifter and the opportunist, right? Of course they do! This is another set of product that the use of Checkpoint Label is an absolute must if you want to keep profits high.
I’ve compiled several items that are popular amongst criminals; how many of these are un-protected in your stores?
11. Razor Blades
Every booster loves unsecured razor blades. These expensive retail items are incredibly easy ton conceal and are even easier to resell once lifted. This is why you see such extreme measures taken by the large retailers. I personally can’t stand the amount of time it takes me to buy razors sometimes… Due to the high volume of theft in this particular category, you should not rely on one single security measure, in my opinion. You should approach this in stages. I would definitely recommend using Checkpoint Labels as a first step, with more security added, such as locking pegs, or Alpha Keepers. I say this because some groups of boosters will not be deterred by one measure. Keep that in mind the next time you are stocking your razor section.
12. Detergent
I still can not believe that detergent is such a heavily boosted item; but it is. Again, the ability for a booster to easily resell this item, and the large demand it carries makes it a prime target for organized groups. Just as we see with razor blades, it is often not enough to solely rely on EAS labels alone to combat theft here. You should use a mixture of hard and soft tags to convince the criminal that the risk is to great. Trust me, boosters are like water; they will go through the path of least resistance, and that’s usually the store with the more lax security system.
13. Soap
Soaps, to include body wash, are again in the category of easily concealable, less likely to be protected and easily resold items. I’ve seen boosters literally empty an entire soap aisle before. The product usually ends up in flea markets and “corner stores”, which give the thieves an easy way to make quick cash. What I’ve found that discourages this is a Checkpoint Label that also contains your store name and store number. Most fences will be unwilling to accept goods if they can be traced back to a specific store where the theft took place. This leaves the individual booster with nowhere the fence the goods, making the theft of the product less desirable.
14. Shampoo
Same as soaps and detergent, an EAS label, especially if you have the store name and number printed on it will discourage a good majority of shoplifters from cleaning you out. :)
15. Deodorant
This one historically hasn’t been that big of an issue for me, however I have many industry peers that say this is there most commonly stolen personal use product. It makes perfect sense. Everybody stinks, but who wants to pay the outrageous prices for deodorant when you can just steal it, or buy it heavily discounted at the flea market. A good EAS label again, can discourage shoplifting.
For more information about Checkpoint Labels, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Let’s step out of the grocery store arena for just a minute. What about small convenience stores? Surely they have tons of merchandise that are appealing to both the professional shoplifter and the opportunist, right? Of course they do! This is another set of product that the use of Checkpoint Labels is an absolute must if you want to keep profits high. I’ve compiled several items that are popular amongst criminals; how many of these are un-protected in your stores?
11. Razor Blades
Every booster loves unsecured razor blades. These expensive retail items are incredibly easy ton conceal and are even easier to resell once lifted. This is why you see such extreme measures taken by the large retailers. I personally can’t stand the amount of time it takes me to buy razors sometimes… Due to the high volume of theft in this particular category, you should not rely on one single security measure, in my opinion. You should approach this in stages. I would definitely recommend using Checkpoint Labels as a first step, with more security added, such as locking pegs, or Alpha Keepers. I say this because some groups of boosters will not be deterred by one measure. Keep that in mind the next time you are stocking your razor section.
12. Detergent
I still can not believe that detergent is such a heavily boosted item; but it is. Again, the ability for a booster to easily resell this item, and the large demand it carries makes it a prime target for organized groups. Just as we see with razor blades, it is often not enough to solely rely on EAS labels alone to combat theft here. You should use a mixture of hard and soft tags to convince the criminal that the risk is to great. Trust me, boosters are like water; they will go through the path of least resistance, and that’s usually the store with the more lax security system.
13. Soap
Soaps, to include body wash, are again in the category of easily concealable, less likely to be protected and easily resold items. I’ve seen boosters literally empty an entire soap aisle before. The product usually ends up in flea markets and “corner stores”, which give the thieves an easy way to make quick cash. What I’ve found that discourages this is a Checkpoint Label that also contains your store name and store number. Most fences will be unwilling to accept goods if they can be traced back to a specific store where the theft took place. This leaves the individual booster with nowhere the fence the goods, making the theft of the product less desirable.
14. Shampoo
Same as soaps and detergent, an EAS label, especially if you have the store name and number printed on it will discourage a good majority of shoplifters from cleaning you out. :)
15. Deodorant
This one historically hasn’t been that big of an issue for me, however I have many industry peers that say this is there most commonly stolen personal use product. It makes perfect sense. Everybody stinks, but who wants to pay the outrageous prices for deodorant when you can just steal it, or buy it heavily discounted at the flea market. A good EAS label again, can discourage shoplifting.
For more information about Checkpoint Labels, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Bottle Service – 5 WC blog 67
Nightclub-5
Bottle Locks-3
Bottle Service Helps Create A Controlled And Safer Environment
Nightclubs tend to get a reputation for being a nuisance in the communities where they are located. Complaints from residents include loud noise, litter, violence and underage drinking. Of course club owners recognize that having a poor reputation has a negative impact on sales and attendance. The difficulty for the club owner or manager is trying to get all of the negatives under control and create a business model that is welcome in the community and by neighboring businesses. Is there any easy solution to establishing a solid reputation among the public? It is my contention that if you start a bottle service as part of your operation you can make strides in building a positive reputation and at the same time increasing your profits.
The bottle service itself is really just offering a VIP option for your guests to purchase. Clients will make a reservation either over the phone or online and purchase a VIP package. The nightclub establishes different packages based on the size of the party making the reservation, the number and type of wine or spirit bottles being offered in the package (usually a top shelf brand) and the setting for the group. For example a party of four may be looking for a booth located near the DJ. A group of twenty celebrating a birthday party may want a private room with a view of the dance floor. The club then has a server dedicated to waiting on the group for the night. The bottle(s) of alcohol ordered by the group are delivered to the table with bottle locks on them. The waiter or waitress dedicated to the group has the detachment key for the bottle locks and serves the drinks for the group. Consider the benefits afforded the club by controlling the drinks being served to a group and the ability of the server to monitor his or her patrons. A trained server can make management aware of a patron they feel is becoming too intoxicated or obnoxious to other customers. That server can also choose not to open a bottle lock, and refuse to serve additional drinks to a member of the group who they deem to have had too much to drink.
Here is where I think the addition of the bottle service can help address several of the concerns I mentioned earlier. According to The World Health Organization, in a report titled, “Youth violence and alcohol”, “HARMFUL AND HAZARDOUS alcohol use are risk factors both for being victimized and perpetuating youth violence. Youth violence takes many forms including bullying, gang violence, sexual aggression and assaults occurring in streets, bars and nightclubs” (emphasis mine). The report goes on to list the environment in clubs and bars as a contributing factor to violence, “Uncomfortable, crowded and poorly managed drinking venues contribute to increased aggression among drinkers.” Many clubs do permit young adults under the age of 21 to enter their establishments with the stipulation that they are not to be served alcohol. This is supposed to be enforced by checking ID cards and then usually the hand is stamped. Certainly we know that many of these underage patrons still manage to get hold of alcoholic beverages while in the building. This can then lead to the problems of violence, aggressive behavior and the legal ramifications of serving to underage persons. On top of this the club owner still has legal concerns if a patron leaves and drives away and is involved in a vehicle accident. Having a bottle service gives the nightclub more control over those who are in a party, with a dedicated server providing personal service and knowing who is a part of the group. The server also controls the dispensing of drinks with the bottle lock and detachment key and therefore can play a significant factor in preventing underage drinking. As your staff pays closer attention to the patrons the opportunities for loud noise, obnoxious behavior and violence is diminished.
Operating your nightclub with a bottle service and also using bottle locks will aid you in controlling your environment and keeping neighboring business owners happy. You will also see your profits increase as customers look to your club for that VIP treatment.
For more information on bottle service, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Nightclubs tend to get a reputation for being a nuisance in the communities where they are located. Complaints from residents include loud noise, litter, violence and underage drinking. Of course club owners recognize that having a poor reputation has a negative impact on sales and attendance. The difficulty for the club owner or manager is trying to get all of the negatives under control and create a business model that is welcome in the community and by neighboring businesses. Is there any easy solution to establishing a solid reputation among the public? It is my contention that if you start a bottle service as part of your operation you can make strides in building a positive reputation and at the same time increasing your profits.
The bottle service itself is really just offering a VIP option for your guests to purchase. Clients will make a reservation either over the phone or online and purchase a VIP package. The nightclub establishes different packages based on the size of the party making the reservation, the number and type of wine or spirit bottles being offered in the package (usually a top shelf brand) and the setting for the group. For example a party of four may be looking for a booth located near the DJ. A group of twenty celebrating a birthday party may want a private room with a view of the dance floor. The club then has a server dedicated to waiting on the group for the night. The bottle(s) of alcohol ordered by the group are delivered to the table with bottle locks on them. The waiter or waitress dedicated to the group has the detachment key for the bottle locks and serves the drinks for the group. Consider the benefits afforded the club by controlling the drinks being served to a group and the ability of the server to monitor his or her patrons. A trained server can make management aware of a patron they feel is becoming too intoxicated or obnoxious to other customers. That server can also choose not to open a bottle lock, and refuse to serve additional drinks to a member of the group who they deem to have had too much to drink.
Here is where I think the addition of the bottle service can help address several of the concerns I mentioned earlier. According to The World Health Organization, in a report titled, “Youth violence and alcohol”, “HARMFUL AND HAZARDOUS alcohol use are risk factors both for being victimized and perpetuating youth violence. Youth violence takes many forms including bullying, gang violence, sexual aggression and assaults occurring in streets, bars and nightclubs” (emphasis mine). The report goes on to list the environment in clubs and bars as a contributing factor to violence, “Uncomfortable, crowded and poorly managed drinking venues contribute to increased aggression among drinkers.” Many clubs do permit young adults under the age of 21 to enter their establishments with the stipulation that they are not to be served alcohol. This is supposed to be enforced by checking ID cards and then usually the hand is stamped. Certainly we know that many of these underage patrons still manage to get hold of alcoholic beverages while in the building. This can then lead to the problems of violence, aggressive behavior and the legal ramifications of serving to underage persons. On top of this the club owner still has legal concerns if a patron leaves and drives away and is involved in a vehicle accident. Having a bottle service gives the nightclub more control over those who are in a party, with a dedicated server providing personal service and knowing who is a part of the group. The server also controls the dispensing of drinks with the bottle lock and detachment key and therefore can play a significant factor in preventing underage drinking. As your staff pays closer attention to the patrons the opportunities for loud noise, obnoxious behavior and violence is diminished.
Operating your nightclub with a bottle service and also using bottle locks will aid you in controlling your environment and keeping neighboring business owners happy. You will also see your profits increase as customers look to your club for that VIP treatment.
For more information on bottle service, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
CP Systems-3 , CP Tags-2 , Retail Theft Prevention-3 , Stop Shoplifting-2
Stop Shoplifting With EAS 2.0
I read an article from Checkpoint recently that was very informative and also made me think about all the amazing advances made over the last twenty years. The article is titled: It’s EAS, But Not As You Know It. As you know, current retail theft prevention tools are leaps and bounds beyond the original pedestal system. (I’ve been with my current company for almost fifteen years, and I’ve seen many of these changes first hand.) Back when it was first introduced, the detection rate was about 50%, and that could even be determined by the day’s weather. Thieves learned which stores were equipped with EAS and simply targeted stores that were not. Over time, retail loss prevention departments and the makers of Checkpoint Systems alike, have been able to watch and learn. They’ve looked at what worked and what did not, and they’ve been able to work together and make the necessary improvements.
The article referred to the importance of employees using the retail theft prevention tools that are available. One factor of employee compliance pointed out in the article was ensuring the use of Alpha Keepers and the adherence of Checkpoint tags to the predetermined merchandise. (I always walk the sales floor after our weekly delivery to validate my standards have been met.)
Are they deactivating Checkpoint tags and removing the hard tags to prevent false alarms? Those are both imperative to maintain the integrity of the system. It’s much harder to get all your employees to buy in to the importance of the system if it keeps going off when it’s not supposed to. That could also be a big turn-off to your honest cash paying customer.
Another key item reported in this piece was the many advances made in EAS. It’s not just about detection and deterrence now; It’s about selling more and losing less. Checkpoint Systems now have the capabilities to count the people coming in the door. We as retailers can see the days and even the times of the day when we have the most shoppers in the store, and then we can compare that to our sales. If there was a big advertising campaign launched, we can now see the effects with the data provided. For example, specific items can be tracked with the Checkpoint tags. Their movement throughout the store can be seen in real time. Store staff can step in and help make a sale or they could be alerted to the fact they need to step in to prevent a theft. How many times have you discovered a theft has occurred and not one employee can even say they knew the person or group was in the store? EAS is the answer to the reactive retailer. It can show them how to actually proactively manage their inventory and make the most of their retail theft prevention investment.
I definitely encourage you to take a look at this Checkpoint Systems article and read more about all the advances and improvements made over the years. This could be the perfect time to make that change from the sign that says “No Large Bags” to a real detection and deterrence system. Track your inventory, monitor your merchandise, and stop shoplifting.
For more information on the advances of Checkpoint Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
I read an article from Checkpoint recently that was very informative and also made me think about all the amazing advances made over the last twenty years. The article is titled: It’s EAS, But Not As You Know It. As you know, current retail theft prevention tools are leaps and bounds beyond the original pedestal system. (I’ve been with my current company for almost fifteen years, and I’ve seen many of these changes first hand.) Back when it was first introduced, the detection rate was about 50%, and that could even be determined by the day’s weather. Thieves learned which stores were equipped with EAS and simply targeted stores that were not. Over time, retail loss prevention departments and the makers of Checkpoint Systems alike, have been able to watch and learn. They’ve looked at what worked and what did not, and they’ve been able to work together and make the necessary improvements.
The article referred to the importance of employees using the retail theft prevention tools that are available. One factor of employee compliance pointed out in the article was ensuring the use of Alpha Keepers and the adherence of Checkpoint tags to the predetermined merchandise. (I always walk the sales floor after our weekly delivery to validate my standards have been met.) Are they deactivating Checkpoint tags and removing the hard tags to prevent false alarms? Those are both imperative to maintain the integrity of the system. It’s much harder to get all your employees to buy in to the importance of the system if it keeps going off when it’s not supposed to. That could also be a big turn-off to your honest cash paying customer.
Another key item reported in this piece was the many advances made in EAS. It’s not just about detection and deterrence now; It’s about selling more and losing less. Checkpoint Systems now have the capabilities to count the people coming in the door. We as retailers can see the days and even the times of the day when we have the most shoppers in the store, and then we can compare that to our sales. If there was a big advertising campaign launched, we can now see the effects with the data provided. For example, specific items can be tracked with the Checkpoint tags. Their movement throughout the store can be seen in real time. Store staff can step in and help make a sale or they could be alerted to the fact they need to step in to prevent a theft. How many times have you discovered a theft has occurred and not one employee can even say they knew the person or group was in the store? EAS is the answer to the reactive retailer. It can show them how to actually proactively manage their inventory and make the most of their retail theft prevention investment.
I definitely encourage you to take a look at this Checkpoint Systems article and read more about all the advances and improvements made over the years. This could be the perfect time to make that change from the sign that says “No Large Bags” to a real detection and deterrence system. Track your inventory, monitor your merchandise, and stop shoplifting.
For more information on the advances of Checkpoint Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
Alpha Keepers – 4 WC blog 01
Prevent Shoplifting – 4
I Can See Clearly Now…With Alpha Keepers
One of the challenging aspects of shortage prevention is maintaining a balance between merchandise control and access to products. The loss prevention professional desires to keep high theft merchandise out of the hands of the criminals and prevent shoplifting. Store owners and managers generally want to allow access to products. Alpha Keepers provides that happy medium that makes for a harmonious relationship between loss prevention’s efforts to minimize accessibility and limit opportunity for theft and operation’s efforts to drive sales through ease of access for the customer.
Alpha Keepers are strong, clear cases that come in a variety of shapes and sizes that can fit a wide range of products. Whether a store specializes in fragrances, or sells a bit of everything, I have seen Alpha Keepers used to protect all types of merchandise. USB Jump Drives, videogames, razor blades and even baby formula can all be protected. If tampered with, these boxes will sound a high pitched audible alarm that will alert store associates that something is not right. There is no question that these devices will prevent shoplifting and decrease shortage. Since it is a clear box, the customer can see the packaging, read the product information and get the information they need to make a purchasing decision. Because they are not secured to a shelf, or locked behind glass, customers can carry the item with them in the store. They are only restricted in gaining access to the actual product. For the majority of customers, this is sufficient for meeting their needs.
My experience and background may give me a slightly different perspective in the arena of retail theft prevention from some others in the profession. I spent many years working in Loss Prevention, both as a store security officer and as an Asset Protection Executive. I also spent some time as a store Logistics Executive. I learned over time that profitable sales are not the result of a single strategy. In order to prevent shoplifting of high theft merchandise often the first response of a Loss Prevention team is to find a way to remove the product from the reach of would be shoplifters. Think about it, from a loss prevention perspective, if they can’t touch it they can’t steal it…right? A locking security fixture was a reasonable solution, let the consumer look through the glass in wonder at the video games in the case…Awesome (not)! The store manager wants the customer to pick up product, get it in their hands, and take it to a checkout counter, the more they pick up, the more they buy right? And doesn’t everyone know that more sales equates to a lower shortage percentage? When a store uses Alpha Keepers it gets the benefit of a locking showcase with the flexibility of putting merchandise in customer’s hands.
Certainly there is a case to be made for each school of thought. In their own ways, the loss prevention team and the store manager are both right, and they are both wrong. Customers want to be able to touch the product, to read packaging, to have a good idea of what they are buying. Let’s be honest, companies spend millions of dollars to strategize on what packaging to use to draw in new buyers. In a like manner, experts in retail theft prevention understand that shoplifters, whether professional boosters or casual opportunists, look for the easily targeted products that are not protected by some type of anti-shoplifting system or device.
Alpha Keepers provides that solution that can bridge the divide between the need to protect products and prevent shoplifting while allowing the honest customer to view and carry a product. Security and sales no longer need to be exclusive. Working together, loss prevention and store management can increase sales and decrease shortage at the same time.
For more information about Alpha Keepers contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
One of the challenging aspects of shortage prevention is maintaining a balance between merchandise control and access to products. The loss prevention professional desires to keep high theft merchandise out of the hands of the criminals and prevent shoplifting. Store owners and managers generally want to allow access to products. Alpha Keepers provides that happy medium that makes for a harmonious relationship between loss prevention’s efforts to minimize accessibility and limit opportunity for theft and operation’s efforts to drive sales through ease of access for the customer.
Alpha Keepers are strong, clear cases that come in a variety of shapes and sizes that can fit a wide range of products. Whether a store specializes in fragrances, or sells a bit of everything, I have seen Alpha Keepers used to protect all types of merchandise. USB Jump Drives, videogames, razor blades and even baby formula can all be protected. If tampered with, these boxes will sound a high pitched audible alarm that will alert store associates that something is not right. There is no question that these devices will prevent shoplifting and decrease shortage. Since it is a clear box, the customer can see the packaging, read the product information and get the information they need to make a purchasing decision. Because they are not secured to a shelf, or locked behind glass, customers can carry the item with them in the store. They are only restricted in gaining access to the actual product. For the majority of customers, this is sufficient for meeting their needs.
My experience and background may give me a slightly different perspective in the arena of retail theft prevention from some others in the profession. I spent many years working in Loss Prevention, both as a store security officer and as an Asset Protection Executive. I also spent some time as a store Logistics Executive. I learned over time that profitable sales are not the result of a single strategy. In order to prevent shoplifting of high theft merchandise often the first response of a Loss Prevention team is to find a way to remove the product from the reach of would be shoplifters. Think about it, from a loss prevention perspective, if they can’t touch it they can’t steal it…right? A locking security fixture was a reasonable solution, let the consumer look through the glass in wonder at the video games in the case…Awesome (not)! The store manager wants the customer to pick up product, get it in their hands, and take it to a checkout counter, the more they pick up, the more they buy right? And doesn’t everyone know that more sales equates to a lower shortage percentage? When a store uses Alpha Keepers it gets the benefit of a locking showcase with the flexibility of putting merchandise in customer’s hands.
Certainly there is a case to be made for each school of thought. In their own ways, the loss prevention team and the store manager are both right, and they are both wrong. Customers want to be able to touch the product, to read packaging, to have a good idea of what they are buying. Let’s be honest, companies spend millions of dollars to strategize on what packaging to use to draw in new buyers. In a like manner, experts in retail theft prevention understand that shoplifters, whether professional boosters or casual opportunists, look for the easily targeted products that are not protected by some type of anti-shoplifting system or device.
Alpha Keepers provides that solution that can bridge the divide between the need to protect products and prevent shoplifting while allowing the honest customer to view and carry a product. Security and sales no longer need to be exclusive. Working together, loss prevention and store management can increase sales and decrease shortage at the same time.
For more information about Alpha Keepers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
Alpha Hang Tags-5 WC blog 79
Retail Anti-Theft Devices-5
Prevent Shoplifting – 3
Boosters Won’t Hang Around When Alpha Hang Tags Are Used To Protect Merchandise
Professional shoplifters, or boosters, are a headache for all retailers. These are the shoplifters that go into stores and steal large quantities of merchandise at one time. They will take anything, but often their favorite items are small, higher dollar products that can be easily resold at flea markets or over the internet. Frequently the booster will steal peg hook displayed merchandise because it is easy to slide the items off. One sweep and an entire peg hook of merchandise can be concealed in a large tote, a purse or other types of bags. A few of the popular targets are razor blades, razors, toothbrushes, power tool accessories, and many electronics items. Consider the prices of a few of the items from a popular big box retail store; Norelco electric razor replacement heads $29.99/box, Schick Hydro 5 Men’s 12 pack blades $31.49/box, 4 count Brush Buddies toothbrushes $14.99/pack. Now imagine sweeping a peg hook worth of any one of these products into a bag, perhaps 10 seconds work? At five to ten items per peg hook, a booster can make a significant haul and a retailer can take a huge loss.
The problem becomes one of finding retail anti-theft devices that can prevent shoplifting of these items.
When I worked for one of these big box retailers, we were experiencing losses caused by boosters and someone came up with the anti-sweep peg hooks. The idea was to slow down the booster, by forcing the merchandise to stop at the end of the peg hook and be slipped over a curve or hook in the peg. This slowed the boosters down a little, but not enough to make a drastic impact on their activity. The next innovation was the locking peg hook. These retail anti-theft devices require a special key to open them. Today, many stores use locking peg hooks in their merchandise protection strategies but, not all of them are used effectively. Unfortunately, boosters work hard to find ways to defeat the next generation of merchandise protection strategy and with locking peg hooks, it was kind of obvious that merchandise is often held on to the peg with a flimsy plastic or cardboard hang tab. So, boosters started to cut away the tabs and the merchandise was off. The booster was slowed down even more, but still getting the product. Alpha Hang Tags complete the protection offered by locking peg hooks by stopping the booster from cutting the product tab.
Alpha hang tags are two piece retail anti-theft devices that clip together over the hang tab, whether it is cardboard or plastic. These tag reinforcers prevent shoplifting by interfering with the booster cutting through the tab and removing the merchandise from the peg hook. Alpha hang tags come in radio frequency or acoustic magnetic designs so they will activate any store Electronic Article Surveillance system. Should a thief attempt to walk out with merchandise protected by these retail anti-theft devices an EAS antenna will alarm and alert store personnel to a theft attempt. Even if a store did not choose to utilize the locking peg hooks, the Alpha hang tags will still add the benefit of EAS protection to the merchandise.
One additional benefit of these retail anti- theft devices is that they come with two different length pins. Some merchandise, such as video game headsets, comes in a very thick blister pack. The package tab is thick enough and designed so that a small pin would not be long enough to extend through the peg hole opening of the tab. The Alpha hang tag can use the longer pin backing for these items and once the item is sold and the hang tag is ready to be reused on another product, the smaller pin backing can be applied. The ability to interchange pieces makes this a great purchase for a retailer.
Boosters can wreak havoc on a store if strong measures are not taken to prevent shoplifting. Applying Alpha hang tags to peg holed merchandise can provide the protection of EAS and when used with locking peg hooks, they can prevent nearly all theft of peg hook product.
For more information on Alpha Hang Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Professional shoplifters, or boosters, are a headache for all retailers. These are the shoplifters that go into stores and steal large quantities of merchandise at one time. They will take anything, but often their favorite items are small, higher dollar products that can be easily resold at flea markets or over the internet. Frequently the booster will steal peg hook displayed merchandise because it is easy to slide the items off. One sweep and an entire peg hook of merchandise can be concealed in a large tote, a purse or other types of bags. A few of the popular targets are razor blades, razors, toothbrushes, power tool accessories, and many electronics items. Consider the prices of a few of the items from a popular big box retail store; Norelco electric razor replacement heads $29.99/box, Schick Hydro 5 Men’s 12 pack blades $31.49/box, 4 count Brush Buddies toothbrushes $14.99/pack. Now imagine sweeping a peg hook worth of any one of these products into a bag, perhaps 10 seconds work? At five to ten items per peg hook, a booster can make a significant haul and a retailer can take a huge loss. The problem becomes one of finding retail anti-theft devices that can prevent shoplifting of these items.
When I worked for one of these big box retailers, we were experiencing losses caused by boosters and someone came up with the anti-sweep peg hooks. The idea was to slow down the booster, by forcing the merchandise to stop at the end of the peg hook and be slipped over a curve or hook in the peg. This slowed the boosters down a little, but not enough to make a drastic impact on their activity. The next innovation was the locking peg hook. These retail anti-theft devices require a special key to open them. Today, many stores use locking peg hooks in their merchandise protection strategies but, not all of them are used effectively. Unfortunately, boosters work hard to find ways to defeat the next generation of merchandise protection strategy and with locking peg hooks, it was kind of obvious that merchandise is often held on to the peg with a flimsy plastic or cardboard hang tab. So, boosters started to cut away the tabs and the merchandise was off. The booster was slowed down even more, but still getting the product. Alpha Hang Tags complete the protection offered by locking peg hooks by stopping the booster from cutting the product tab.
Alpha hang tags are two piece retail anti-theft devices that clip together over the hang tab, whether it is cardboard or plastic. These tag reinforcers prevent shoplifting by interfering with the booster cutting through the tab and removing the merchandise from the peg hook. Alpha hang tags come in radio frequency or acoustic magnetic designs so they will activate any store Electronic Article Surveillance system. Should a thief attempt to walk out with merchandise protected by these retail anti-theft devices an EAS antenna will alarm and alert store personnel to a theft attempt. Even if a store did not choose to utilize the locking peg hooks, the Alpha hang tags will still add the benefit of EAS protection to the merchandise.
One additional benefit of these retail anti- theft devices is that they come with two different length pins. Some merchandise, such as video game headsets, comes in a very thick blister pack. The package tab is thick enough and designed so that a small pin would not be long enough to extend through the peg hole opening of the tab. The Alpha hang tag can use the longer pin backing for these items and once the item is sold and the hang tag is ready to be reused on another product, the smaller pin backing can be applied. The ability to interchange pieces makes this a great purchase for a retailer.
Boosters can wreak havoc on a store if strong measures are not taken to prevent shoplifting. Applying Alpha hang tags to peg holed merchandise can provide the protection of EAS and when used with locking peg hooks, they can prevent nearly all theft of peg hook product.
For more information on Alpha Hang Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
