Alpha Security-1 , Bottle Locks-3, Liquor Bottle Security-2, Bottle Lock-2
Don’t Let Them Lift Your Spirits
There seems to be a new taste for high priced specialty spirits. With the boom in craft distilleries and new cocktails being all the rage, many retailers have also seen a big rise in thefts of these products. It’s all about supply and demand. The people demanding the products are willing to pay, and the people willing to steal from the suppliers are pulling off more daring heists than ever. If your inventory is not protected with bottle locks now, you should consider them after reading this.
The following instances have all been reported in local newspapers, evening newscasts, and internet news sites. These were all produced by just a couple of keyword searches. Although all amounts are reported at retail, don’t forget there is an associated cost to the retailer as well. Unfortunately, none of these stores had any type of liquor bottle security tools in place. They all relied on their clerks behind the counter and in some cases, their loss prevention associates.
*A pair of men stole about $500,000 worth of high end vodka from one package store during one rush hour. This was a specialty store that only deals with this type of highly coveted products and brands at exorbitant prices.
*Four men stole $16,000 worth of wine and liquor in sixteen different instances. Their biggest one time haul was $3,700.
*One rare fifty year old bottle of whiskey, worth $26,000, concealed in a shoulder bag and never seen again. (Authorities have no leads on this one.)
*A group of three women on a “shopping” spree went store to store stealing. They racked up over $7,000 worth of wine in one week.
There were many more stories; that’s just a sampling of the newest ones. I work for a small retail pharmacy, and if I lost that much inventory in one day, I’d be fired. I realize the type of store is totally different, but in my store, we utilize bottle locks. That’s one small difference that means my wines and spirits aren’t walking out the door. These are tools offered by Alpha Security that, in my mind, have been designed for two big reasons. One: to give sellers of wines and spirits peace of mind. Two: to make it almost impossible for thieves to get away with those wines and spirits. These awesome gadgets fit right over the tops of almost any size bottle. If the criminal makes any attempt to remove or tamper with the bottle lock, it has the capability to self alarm. Basically, the only way the cap is coming off is if it is removed at the checkout with the proper key. Otherwise, the bottle itself will more likely shatter before the bottle lock is going to come off. If they’re going to steal an extremely old $26,000 bottle of whiskey, they probably either plan to drink it or sell it. I’m just saying. But if it’s got a bottle lock on it, they’re out of luck. If I’m that crook and I see you’ve got bottle locks on all your inventory, I’ll quickly decide to go somewhere else to steal my booze.
That’s the biggest key reason to invest in bottle locks. Deterrence of theft is so much more effective than chasing shoplifters. Having liquor bottle security can mean two different things for your store: word gets out in the community that your store always prosecutes thieves, or word gets out that there’s no use to try and steal from your store. I think the return on investment here is a no brainer.
For more information on Bottle Locks, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
There seems to be a new taste for high priced specialty spirits. With the boom in craft distilleries and new cocktails being all the rage, many retailers have also seen a big rise in thefts of these products. It’s all about supply and demand. The people demanding the products are willing to pay, and the people willing to steal from the suppliers are pulling off more daring heists than ever. If your inventory is not protected with bottle locks now, you should consider them after reading this.
The following instances have all been reported in local newspapers, evening newscasts, and internet news sites. These were all produced by just a couple of keyword searches. Although all amounts are reported at retail, don’t forget there is an associated cost to the retailer as well. Unfortunately, none of these stores had any type of liquor bottle security tools in place. They all relied on their clerks behind the counter and in some cases, their loss prevention associates.
*A pair of men stole about $500,000 worth of high end vodka from one package store during one rush hour. This was a specialty store that only deals with this type of highly coveted products and brands at exorbitant prices.
*Four men stole $16,000 worth of wine and liquor in sixteen different instances. Their biggest one time haul was $3,700.
*One rare fifty year old bottle of whiskey, worth $26,000, concealed in a shoulder bag and never seen again. (Authorities have no leads on this one.)
*A group of three women on a “shopping” spree went store to store stealing. They racked up over $7,000 worth of wine in one week.
There were many more stories; that’s just a sampling of the newest ones. I work for a small retail pharmacy, and if I lost that much inventory in one day, I’d be fired. I realize the type of store is totally different, but in my store, we utilize bottle locks. That’s one small difference that means my wines and spirits aren’t walking out the door. These are tools offered by Alpha Security that, in my mind, has been designed for two big reasons. One: to give sellers of wines and spirits peace of mind. Two: to make it almost impossible for thieves to get away with those wines and spirits. These awesome gadgets fit right over the tops of almost any size bottle. If the criminal makes any attempt to remove or tamper with the bottle lock, it has the capability to self-alarm. Basically, the only way the cap is coming off is if it is removed at the checkout with the proper key. Otherwise, the bottle itself will more likely shatter before the bottle lock is going to come off. If they’re going to steal an extremely old $26,000 bottle of whiskey, they probably either plan to drink it or sell it. I’m just saying. But if it’s got a bottle lock on it, they’re out of luck. If I’m that crook and I see you’ve got bottle locks on your entire inventory, I’ll quickly decide to go somewhere else to steal my booze.
That’s the biggest key reason to invest in bottle locks. Deterrence of theft is so much more effective than chasing shoplifters. Having liquor bottle security can mean two different things for your store: word gets out in the community that your store always prosecutes thieves, or word gets out that there’s no use to try and steal from your store. I think the return on investment here is a no brainer.
For more information on Bottle Locks, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
If EVER there was a department that posed more headaches and frustrations for me as an Assets Protection Manager it had to be the jewelry department. I cannot begin to count the number of shoplifters I apprehended who had stolen jewelry. That number multiplies significantly when I take into account the stops by my Assets Protection Team Members. I also know the inherent risk in stopping a shoplifter who steals such small items. The Alpha Jewel Lok is one of those retail anti-theft devices that can help prevent shoplifting while allowing store security or management to focus attention on shortage control to other departments.
Jewelry is so small that it can be easily concealed in the palm of a hand, in a pocket, in a purse or just about anywhere a person can imagine. It can often be easily removed from packaging and worn on the body. It is easy to drop when a loss prevention associate is about to make an apprehension. I recall one instance when I apprehended a shoplifter with a pair of earrings she had removed from the backing. She concealed the earrings in her pants pocket and proceeded to the front exit. As she walked out of the store, I stopped her, escorted her back to the security office and asked for the earrings I knew she had in her pocket. The would-be thief reached in, pulled out the pair of earrings, promptly placing them, not on the desk, but in her mouth! Already chewing a piece of gum, she mixed the earrings in the gum and swallowed them. Yes, she did go to jail and no, I did not ask for the return of the evidence. The point is, jewelry is very small, but, for the size of the merchandise, it can often carry a significant price tag. It can also be an area in which it is difficult to prevent shoplifting.
An Alpha Jewel Lok is a small, retail anti-theft device that can free up a lot of resources for not only a security department but for store management as well. The device attaches directly on the jewelry via a small hook and clips together in a plastic casing, allowing it to be removed only at the register. Should a shoplifter attempt to remove the device, the jewelry will be more likely to break than the device, rendering the jewelry valueless. The hardware works with the store EAS system and will sound the alarm if someone attempts to leave the store with the tagged jewelry. From a loss prevention point of view, the risk in the department drops dramatically and efforts to prevent shoplifting can be shifted areas that may be high risk, but are not as difficult to impact. For store management, more merchandise can be taken out of lock up cases thereby reducing the need to have a key carrying employee restricted to one small area. It allows management to reallocate some of the store payroll where it may be more impactful. The benefit for the customer is that these retail anti-theft devices allow stores to have more open displays. Customers can look at jewelry and handle it without feeling like someone is hovering over them. They also benefit by not having to wait for a salesperson with a display case key to unlock a showcase. Oh, and did I mention, while it may be called an Alpha Jewel Lok, it can be used on other merchandise such as wallets, purses or any merchandise that has a small loop or strap the device can close around?
Consider the options that an Alpha Jewel Lok could open to a business. More merchandise could be removed from locking display cases, reducing the amount of time an associate has to spend in the area. Customers would experience the freedom to view jewelry and make a selection and continue shopping. Loss prevention teams could devote less time and energy trying to deter or catch shoplifters in jewelry and minimize the chances of a bad stop.
For more information about Alpha Jewel Lok, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
If EVER there was a department that posed more headaches and frustrations for me as an Assets Protection Manager it had to be the jewelry department. I cannot begin to count the number of shoplifters I apprehended who had stolen jewelry. That number multiplies significantly when I take into account the stops by my Assets Protection Team Members. I also know the inherent risk in stopping a shoplifter who steals such small items. The Alpha Jewel Lok is one of those retail anti-theft devices that can help prevent shoplifting while allowing store security or management to focus attention on shortage control to other departments.
Jewelry is so small that it can be easily concealed in the palm of a hand, in a pocket, in a purse or just about anywhere a person can imagine. It can often be easily removed from packaging and worn on the body. It is easy to drop when a loss prevention associate is about to make an apprehension. I recall one instance when I apprehended a shoplifter with a pair of earrings she had removed from the backing. She concealed the earrings in her pants pocket and proceeded to the front exit. As she walked out of the store, I stopped her, escorted her back to the security office and asked for the earrings I knew she had in her pocket. The would-be thief reached in, pulled out the pair of earrings, promptly placing them, not on the desk, but in her mouth! Already chewing a piece of gum, she mixed the earrings in the gum and swallowed them. Yes, she did go to jail and no, I did not ask for the return of the evidence. The point is, jewelry is very small, but, for the size of the merchandise, it can often carry a significant price tag. It can also be an area in which it is difficult to prevent shoplifting.
An Alpha Jewel Lok is a small, retail anti-theft device that can free up a lot of resources for not only a security department but for store management as well. The device attaches directly on the jewelry via a small hook and clips together in a plastic casing, allowing it to be removed only at the register. Should a shoplifter attempt to remove the device, the jewelry will be more likely to break than the device, rendering the jewelry valueless. The hardware works with the store EAS system and will sound the alarm if someone attempts to leave the store with the tagged jewelry. From a loss prevention point of view, the risk in the department drops dramatically and efforts to prevent shoplifting can be shifted areas that may be high risk, but are not as difficult to impact. For store management, more merchandise can be taken out of lock up cases thereby reducing the need to have a key carrying employee restricted to one small area. It allows management to reallocate some of the store payroll where it may be more impactful. The benefit for the customer is that these retail anti-theft devices allow stores to have more open displays. Customers can look at jewelry and handle it without feeling like someone is hovering over them. They also benefit by not having to wait for a salesperson with a display case key to unlock a showcase. Oh, and did I mention, while it may be called an Alpha Jewel Lok, it can be used on other merchandise such as wallets, purses or any merchandise that has a small loop or strap the device can close around?
Consider the options that an Alpha Jewel Lok could open to a business. More merchandise could be removed from locking display cases, reducing the amount of time an associate has to spend in the area. Customers would experience the freedom to view jewelry and make a selection and continue shopping. Loss prevention teams could devote less time and energy trying to deter or catch shoplifters in jewelry and minimize the chances of a bad stop.
For more information about Alpha Jewel Lok, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
CP Systems-2, Retail Theft Prevention-2 , Checkpoint Labels-3 , Stop Shoplifting-1
Dwelling In The Past Won’t Stop Theft
I have transferred to a different location in our company. Anytime I move to a different store, I feel it is imperative to identify sales trends, regular theft targets, and other key information that will help me be an effective manager. The one thing I can always count on from the crew is: “Well, this is how we’ve always done it.” Some things are location specific and they do work, so I have no intention of coming in and making store wide sweeping changes. I have different ideas on how to stop shoplifting though, and sometimes my efforts meet a lot of resistance. All of our stores are equipped with Checkpoint Systems, so that’s one thing I am thankful for and I want to use every tool available to me that works in conjunction with it.
One thing I have discovered in this store is they have two locking glass cases, one in high end facial care and the other in the diet pill section. I work for a small retail pharmacy, so we are not talking about a very large building. The diet section is directly in front of the pharmacy counter and the facial section is directly across from the main front checkout register. I’m willing to bet that sales in these high retail and fairly good margin items are near zero. There are call buttons on both of them, but neither works. My plan is to remove both of these locking cases today. The employees think I’m making a big mistake and these items will be stolen immediately. But I have a plan to continue to protect these items from being stolen, but to use proven retail theft prevention tools. First of all, all of them will now have Checkpoint labels adhered to the packages. Most theft will be deterred by placing them on the outside of the boxes. First of all, most theft is opportunistic, meaning the person came to purchase the item but sees a chance to steal it instead. If the Checkpoint labels are on the front of the package, it sends a clear message to the average shopper that the item is being monitored, and most people will decide taking the chance just isn’t worth getting caught. To a booster it sends a completely different message. We place the label directly on the front so that if they attempt to remove it, there will be obvious damage left. They know they will receive less money for it from their buyer.
I have other tools at my disposal if the Checkpoint labels are not enough to stop theft. The other tools are compatible with Checkpoint Systems so I have many options if I need to employ more tactics. The most important thing to remember is that locking cases are great for some businesses, but they are not the answer to all theft problems. They also stop sales. I imagine when most customers come in to purchase any of those facial items or diet pills; they press the call button (that doesn’t work). Then when no employee ever comes to help them, they either choose another lower priced item not in the case or worse, they leave empty handed. They may buy other items and then forget to even ask for the stuff they wanted out of the case. If I wanted to try one of those diet pills that are advertised on television, that is my business, and I shouldn’t have to go up front and beg someone to open the case for me. The same goes for high dollar wrinkle creams. Those are personal and private choices, and customer service shouldn’t be impeded by our tools for retail theft prevention.
For more information on Checkpoint Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
I have transferred to a different location in our company. Anytime I move to a different store, I feel it is imperative to identify sales trends, regular theft targets, and other key information that will help me be an effective manager. The one thing I can always count on from the crew is: “Well, this is how we’ve always done it.” Some things are location specific and they do work, so I have no intention of coming in and making store wide sweeping changes. I have different ideas on how to stop shoplifting though, and sometimes my efforts meet a lot of resistance. All of our stores are equipped with Checkpoint Systems, so that’s one thing I am thankful for and I want to use every tool available to me that works in conjunction with it.
One thing I have discovered in this store is they have two locking glass cases, one in high end facial care and the other in the diet pill section. I work for a small retail pharmacy, so we are not talking about a very large building. The diet section is directly in front of the pharmacy counter and the facial section is directly across from the main front checkout register. I’m willing to bet that sales in these high retail and fairly good margin items are near zero. There are call buttons on both of them, but neither works. My plan is to remove both of these locking cases today. The employees think I’m making a big mistake and these items will be stolen immediately. But I have a plan to continue to protect these items from being stolen, but to use proven retail theft prevention tools. First of all, all of them will now have Checkpoint labels adhered to the packages. Most theft will be deterred by placing them on the outside of the boxes. First of all, most theft is opportunistic, meaning the person came to purchase the item but sees a chance to steal it instead. If the Checkpoint labels are on the front of the package, it sends a clear message to the average shopper that the item is being monitored, and most people will decide taking the chance just isn’t worth getting caught. To a booster it sends a completely different message. We place the label directly on the front so that if they attempt to remove it, there will be obvious damage left. They know they will receive less money for it from their buyer.
I have other tools at my disposal if the Checkpoint labels are not enough to stop theft. The other tools are compatible with Checkpoint Systems so I have many options if I need to employ more tactics. The most important thing to remember is that locking cases are great for some businesses, but they are not the answer to all theft problems. They also stop sales. I imagine when most customers come in to purchase any of those facial items or diet pills; they press the call button (that doesn’t work). Then when no employee ever comes to help them, they either choose another lower priced item not in the case or worse, they leave empty handed. They may buy other items and then forget to even ask for the stuff they wanted out of the case. If I wanted to try one of those diet pills that are advertised on television, that is my business, and I shouldn’t have to go up front and beg someone to open the case for me. The same goes for high dollar wrinkle creams. Those are personal and private choices, and customer service shouldn’t be impeded by our tools for retail theft prevention.
For more information on Checkpoint Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Return Fraud-3 , Alpha Shark Tags-4 , Wardrobing-5
Shark Tags Help Stop Invisible Theft
Retailers don’t always see theft, even when it’s happening in plain sight. I’m not talking about the typical kinds of theft; I’m talking about return fraud. Specifically, one of the most costly types of return fraud is called wardrobing. This scam involves someone buying something they do not intend to keep. Their sole plan is to return the item for a full refund. Then, in most cases, the store is forced to take a markdown on the item because it is now considered used. This classic scene plays out in the movies and sitcoms on a regular basis. On television it’s hilarious and the antics are laughable. In real life, it’s not at all funny. Many specialty boutiques and formal wear sellers are independently owned, so they don’t have the backing of a big loss prevention department. They have to rely on themselves to stop wardrobing.
This scam has been primarily perpetrated by women. They are considered the main culprit because most of the time wardrobing is for the purpose of dressing for a big occasion. She wants the nicest and most expensive dress to wear to the big event. She wants the best shoes, handbag, and all the jewelry and accessories to go with the ensemble. The problem is this stuff is expensive, and she doesn’t really have the money to spend on all of it. So if they can get away with it on television, there’s no reason it can’t work in real life. And it does. That’s why many retailers have made their return policies much more stringent. But, stricter rules like requiring receipts don’t stop wardrobing. Store managers and owners have to think outside the box when battling this invisible type of return fraud. That is why Alpha Shark Tags were introduced. They are simple, yet extremely effective, tools to put this type of thief out of business.
Alpha Shark Tags are the perfect answer to the problem of people returning used merchandise. They are attached to the new items, either directly pinned on, or via lanyard. They are safe for almost any fabric and do not damage the garment when pinned on, but the lanyard option is available for shoes, handbags, belts, etc. They need to be placed in a very obvious area of the garment, so they cannot be tucked in or hidden. Plus they are bright red so they stand out. This is to discourage the buyer from attempting to wear the item with the Alpha Shark Tag still attached. That’s not the only point of adding them to your inventory though. The best part about them is they are the silent enforcers of your new return policy. The idea is genius: the item cannot be returned if the Alpha Shark Tag is removed. It is designed to be removed by the customer, at home, with a pair of household scissors. It can not be reattached. If there is any evidence of tampering, that would also void any chance to return the item. This is the ultimate tool to stop wardrobing.
It’s not just about clothing though. Alpha Shark Tags can be used on many different items. The possibilities are there. Retailers just have to get creative in order to defeat return fraud. Billions of dollars are lost every year, and the problem will just continue to grow if it is not dealt with.
For more information about how to stop return fraud, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Retailers don’t always see theft, even when it’s happening in plain sight. I’m not talking about the typical kinds of theft; I’m talking about return fraud. Specifically, one of the most costly types of return fraud is called wardrobing. This scam involves someone buying something they do not intend to keep. Their sole plan is to return the item for a full refund. Then, in most cases, the store is forced to take a markdown on the item because it is now considered used. This classic scene plays out in the movies and sitcoms on a regular basis. On television it’s hilarious and the antics are laughable. In real life, it’s not at all funny. Many specialty boutiques and formal wear sellers are independently owned, so they don’t have the backing of a big loss prevention department. They have to rely on themselves to stop wardrobing.
This scam has been primarily perpetrated by women. They are considered the main culprit because most of the time wardrobing is for the purpose of dressing for a big occasion. She wants the nicest and most expensive dress to wear to the big event. She wants the best shoes, handbag, and all the jewelry and accessories to go with the ensemble. The problem is this stuff is expensive, and she doesn’t really have the money to spend on all of it. So if they can get away with it on television, there’s no reason it can’t work in real life. And it does. That’s why many retailers have made their return policies much more stringent. But, stricter rules like requiring receipts don’t stop wardrobing. Store managers and owners have to think outside the box when battling this invisible type of return fraud. That is why Alpha Shark Tags were introduced. They are simple, yet extremely effective, tools to put this type of thief out of business.
Alpha Shark Tags are the perfect answer to the problem of people returning used merchandise. They are attached to the new items, either directly pinned on, or via lanyard. They are safe for almost any fabric and do not damage the garment when pinned on, but the lanyard option is available for shoes, handbags, belts, etc. They need to be placed in a very obvious area of the garment, so they cannot be tucked in or hidden. Plus they are bright red so they stand out. This is to discourage the buyer from attempting to wear the item with the Alpha Shark Tag still attached. That’s not the only point of adding them to your inventory though. The best part about them is they are the silent enforcers of your new return policy. The idea is genius: the item cannot be returned if the Alpha Shark Tag is removed. It is designed to be removed by the customer, at home, with a pair of household scissors. It can not be reattached. If there is any evidence of tampering, that would also void any chance to return the item. This is the ultimate tool to stop wardrobing.
It’s not just about clothing though. Alpha Shark Tags can be used on many different items. The possibilities are there. Retailers just have to get creative in order to defeat return fraud. Billions of dollars are lost every year, and the problem will just continue to grow if it is not dealt with.
For more information about how to stop return fraud, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
