How many times have you seen a movie or sitcom where a woman plans to buy a garment for a big event and return it for a refund afterward. She spends the whole evening trying not to spill something on herself, but inevitably ends up having some comical accident that causes her to be stuck with it instead. In the movies, it is pretty predictable that she won’t be able to return the outfit, but the not so funny truth is that this happens to retailers in the real world. The official term for people that purchase, wear, and return a garment (on purpose, not because the item is defective) is “wardrober”, and it’s not funny when it happens to your business.
Clothing Security, especially for a small retailer that may specialize in formal wear, is essential and must include a refund policy that addresses these types of scammers. It is not a feasible business model to have people purchase outfits and accessories for their big event from your store, and then return the merchandise for a full refund the next day. I am ashamed to say that my own niece made a remark to me about doing just this thing with her prom dress this year. She simply could not afford the dress she had picked out, and her intention was to wear it to the dance, change right afterward, and take it back to the store. She planned to tell them it was terribly uncomfortable and she did not want to keep it. I told her she needed to find a more affordable option at the store or buy from somewhere else. I had bought my wedding dress from these people, and I told her I would call the store myself and tell them not to take her purchase back if she went through with it. Thankfully, she found a dress she could buy and keep, before time for the big dance.
If your business deals with these types of returns, there is something you can do to reduce them. The Shark Tag can be a new addition to your refund policy, and it could save you from having to deal with people trying this tactic. These are simple gadgets, that look like a small clothes pin, and attach to the garment without any damage to the product. You can have them pre-attached to the inventory, as they do not impede the customer trying on the item, or the way it fits. Your store can also choose to attach the Shark Tag at the time of purchase. You can even have small printed copies of your store’s refund policy, and attach them to the garment with the pins of the tag. The customer is immediately made aware that they cannot return the item for a full refund unless the brightly colored tag is still fully attached.
This ingenious tag is designed to be removed at home, by the consumer, with just a pair of scissors. It also is designed so that it cannot be put back on once removed without visible signs of being tampered with. Shark Tags attach easily to the front of the dress or other clothing item, usually near the neckline. They are a strong, clearly visible deterrent to someone that is contemplating the scam of buying and wearing the merchandise to the planned event only to return it afterward. Someone planning to try this at your store will likely change their mind once they realize they cannot remove the Shark Tag.
For more information contact us: Clothingsecurity.net or call 1.770.814.0547
How many times have you seen a movie or sitcom where a woman plans to buy a garment for a big event and return it for a refund afterward. She spends the whole evening trying not to spill something on herself, but inevitably ends up having some comical accident that causes her to be stuck with it instead. In the movies, it is pretty predictable that she won’t be able to return the outfit, but the not so funny truth is that this happens to retailers in the real world. The official term for people that purchase, wear, and return a garment (on purpose, not because the item is defective) is “wardrober”, and it’s not funny when it happens to your business.
Clothing Security, especially for a small retailer that may specialize in formal wear, is essential and must include a refund policy that addresses these types of scammers. It is not a feasible business model to have people purchase outfits and accessories for their big event from your store, and then return the merchandise for a full refund the next day. I am ashamed to say that my own niece made a remark to me about doing just this thing with her prom dress this year. She simply could not afford the dress she had picked out, and her intention was to wear it to the dance, change right afterward, and take it back to the store. She planned to tell them it was terribly uncomfortable and she did not want to keep it. I told her she needed to find a more affordable option at the store or buy from somewhere else. I had bought my wedding dress from these people, and I told her I would call the store myself and tell them not to take her purchase back if she went through with it. Thankfully, she found a dress she could buy and keep, before time for the big dance.
If your business deals with these types of returns, there is something you can do to reduce them. The Alpha Shark Tag can be a new addition to your refund policy, and it could save you from having to deal with people trying this tactic. These are simple gadgets, that look like a small clothes pin, and attach to the garment without any damage to the product. You can have them pre-attached to the inventory, as they do not impede the customer trying on the item, or the way it fits. Your store can also choose to attach the Alpha Shark Tag at the time of purchase. You can even have small printed copies of your store’s refund policy, and attach them to the garment with the pins of the tag. The customer is immediately made aware that they cannot return the item for a full refund unless the brightly colored tag is still fully attached.
This ingenious tag is designed to be removed at home, by the consumer, with just a pair of scissors. It also is designed so that it cannot be put back on once removed without visible signs of being tampered with. Alpha Shark Tags attach easily to the front of the dress or other clothing item, usually near the neckline. They are a strong, clearly visible deterrent to someone that is contemplating the scam of buying and wearing the merchandise to the planned event only to return it afterward. Someone planning to try this at your store will likely change their mind once they realize they cannot remove the Shark Tag.
For more information contact us: Clothingsecurity.net or call 1.770.814.0547
If you don’t have a teenage daughter (or work in an apparel retailer), you probably have no idea that prom season is just around the corner. I know what you’re thinking… school just started. Yeah, it did. In August. It’s already the middle of March, and by tomorrow it will be mid-April and we’ll be in full prom swing. I worked at a retailer who specialized in this arena a few years back… so that’s how I can keep up with prom seasons. I promise. What doesn’t come to mind for retailers is the amount of dress theft that goes on and how a simple Checkpoint System can help you to reduce your losses.
Let’s consider that if you are reading this, chances are you’re not a big chain. You’re most likely a small business owner that is tired of shoplifters and want to know what you can do to stop the bleeding in your store. Let me be the first to introduce you to a Checkpoint System. You know that little plastic, almost invisible pedestals that you walk through at almost every retailer (at the front door)? That’s what I’m talking about. That system, coupled with Checkpoint Tags or labels, can have a huge impact on your bottom line. These systems are not just for the big box stores. If you own a store, people will steal from you. It’s really that simple. You should do everything in your power to stop it, and installing your own Checkpoint System is a great first step.
Take your prom dresses for example. Everyone mother wants to make sure that their daughter has the best dress, and stands out in her class. Unfortunately, some of those parents may not want to pay full price, and if your merchandise isn’t protected by one of the 30 different styles of Checkpoint Tags, you very well could become a victim of theft.
I know you’re probably also thinking about how that could cause a negative perception in your store. Maybe your customer won’t spend their money because they may feel you are treating everyone as if they are a shoplifter. Well, that’s just not true. Furthermore, with all of the different varieties of Checkpoint Tags, you can find a solution that has almost no impact on your legitimate shopper. Chances are, your honest customer will never realize the tags are in place. You can have peace of mind that your customers are getting the best product you have to offer, and that your shoplifters are getting, well, getting nothing!
For more information, contact us: Checkpoint Tags, or call 1.770.426.0547
If you don’t have a teenage daughter (or work in an apparel retailer), you probably have no idea that prom season is just around the corner. I know what you’re thinking… school just started. Yeah, it did. In August. It’s already the middle of March, and by tomorrow it will be mid-April and we’ll be in full prom swing. I worked at a retailer who specialized in this arena a few years back… so that’s how I can keep up with prom seasons. I promise. What doesn’t come to mind for retailers is the amount of dress theft that goes on and how a simple Checkpoint System can help you to reduce your losses.
Let’s consider that if you are reading this, chances are you’re not a big chain. You’re most likely a small business owner that is tired of shoplifters and want to know what you can do to stop the bleeding in your store. Let me be the first to introduce you to a Checkpoint System. You know that little plastic, almost invisible pedestals that you walk through at almost every retailer (at the front door)? That’s what I’m talking about. That system, coupled with Checkpoint Tags or labels, can have a huge impact on your bottom line. These systems are not just for the big box stores. If you own a store, people will steal from you. It’s really that simple. You should do everything in your power to stop it, and installing your own Checkpoint System is a great first step.
Take your prom dresses for example. Everyone mother wants to make sure that their daughter has the best dress, and stands out in her class. Unfortunately, some of those parents may not want to pay full price, and if your merchandise isn’t protected by one of the 30 different styles of Checkpoint Tags, you very well could become a victim of theft.
I know you’re probably also thinking about how that could cause a negative perception in your store. Maybe your customer won’t spend their money because they may feel you are treating everyone as if they are a shoplifter. Well, that’s just not true. Furthermore, with all of the different varieties of Checkpoint Tags, you can find a solution that has almost no impact on your legitimate shopper. Chances are, your honest customer will never realize the tags are in place. You can have peace of mind that your customers are getting the best product you have to offer, and that your shoplifters are getting, well, getting nothing!
For more information, contact us at Antishoplifting.net, or call 1.770.426.0547
Checkpoint pedestals are a familiar sight at most big box stores, a set or two at every entrance/exit. The thing is, small businesses and specialty boutiques can benefit from Checkpoint as much or more than a giant retailer. When your store does not have the discount buying power those guys have, every penny you spend on inventory counts. Everything you offer for sale to your customers needs to be accounted for and kept secure. When your assets walk out the door unpaid for, you lose more profit than the big box because your profit margin is likely lower.
For example, if you own a store that specializes in formal wear, you have a lot of high retail inventory hanging on your racks. Checkpoint has a variety of tags you can use to protect all the different garments and accessories you offer. There are the obvious hard tags that are pinned right onto the clothing. These come in several sizes, shapes and colors. They all have smooth edges, and do not damage the items in any way while attached. Plus, your customers can still try on the different articles, without impeding them in any way, or causing any discomfort. The tags available for accessories, such as purses and belts, are excellent as well. These can also be attached with a lanyard, depending on the size of the piece that needs to be secured. With the new security of your inventory, knowing the system will alarm if someone attempts to remove garments that still have tags attached, owners and managers can have a new peace of mind.
Stores need shoppers to feel welcome, to want to shop there, and to return and be loyal customers. Stores also need to deter shoplifting, and in order to do that, they must have a visible system of product protection in place. There are websites devoted to educating people on how to get out of stores with whatever they want, completely undetected. Most of these sites warn of the Checkpoint System, and tell the would-be thief to abort their plan if the system is in place.
This is where another choice in Checkpoint Tags comes into play They are the versatile soft tags. These things can be adhered to the price tag where they could be seen, or even sewn into a hidden pocket. The advantage is clearly in the store’s favor. The key to reducing and even stopping shrink in your business is to deter the theft in the first place.
Running a business and trying to catch shoplifters is a lot of hard work. Going to court, usually more than once for the same theft, is a complete hassle. I know; I’ve done it. I’ve gone to court four times for the same lady, just to see it get dismissed the last time. If you do succeed in getting a conviction, the offender gets a slap on the wrist more times than not. Believe me, the Checkpoint System, and all of the different gadgets that work with it to detect and deter theft, is one of the best investments you can make as a business owner.
For more information contact us: 1.770.426.0547 or Antishoplifting.net
Checkpoint pedestals are a familiar sight at most big box stores, a set or two at every entrance/exit. The thing is, small businesses and specialty boutiques can benefit from Checkpoint Systems as much or more than a giant retailer. When your store does not have the discount buying power those guys have, every penny you spend on inventory counts. Everything you offer for sale to your customers needs to be accounted for and kept secure. When your assets walk out the door unpaid for, you lose more profit than the big box because your profit margin is likely lower.
For example, if you own a store that specializes in formal wear, you have a lot of high retail inventory hanging on your racks. Checkpoint has a variety of tags you can use to protect all the different garments and accessories you offer. There are the obvious hard tags that are pinned right onto the clothing. These come in several sizes, shapes and colors. They all have smooth edges, and do not damage the items in any way while attached. Plus, your customers can still try on the different articles, without impeding them in any way, or causing any discomfort. Checkpoint Tags available for accessories, such as purses and belts, are excellent as well. These can also be attached with a lanyard, depending on the size of the piece that needs to be secured. With the new security of your inventory, knowing the system will alarm if someone attempts to remove garments that still have tags attached, owners and managers can have a new peace of mind.
Stores need shoppers to feel welcome, to want to shop there, and to return and be loyal customers. Stores also need to deter shoplifting, and in order to do that, they must have a visible system of product protection in place. There are websites devoted to educating people on how to get out of stores with whatever they want, completely undetected. Most of these sites warn of the Checkpoint System, and tell the would-be thief to abort their plan if the system is in place.
This is where another choice in Checkpoint Tags comes into play They are the versatile soft tags. These things can be adhered to the price tag where they could be seen, or even sewn into a hidden pocket. The advantage is clearly in the store’s favor. The key to reducing and even stopping shrink in your business is to deter the theft in the first place.
Running a business and trying to catch shoplifters is a lot of hard work. Going to court, usually more than once for the same theft, is a complete hassle. I know; I’ve done it. I’ve gone to court four times for the same lady, just to see it get dismissed the last time. If you do succeed in getting a conviction, the offender gets a slap on the wrist more times than not. Believe me, the Checkpoint System, and all of the different gadgets that work with it to detect and deter theft, is one of the best investments you can make as a business owner.
For more information contact us: 1.770.426.0547 or Antishoplifting.net
Bottled wines and spirits are available for purchase at a large variety to retailers in today’s world. From big box grocery stores to small specialty shops, consumers have a number of choices of where to shop. The shops have to differentiate themselves to attract customers to choose them over their competitor. For many of these retailers,there is the additional daily battle to protect those bottles from being stolen. Bottle Loks can be the added security measure to keep the store’s profit line in the black.
No store wants to be known in the community for having rampant theft. Your customer’s safety and security must be your number one priority, and your business needs to have the reputation that supports that. If your business sells a number of different products, like groceries and household items, and you have added alcohol to the shelves, people have to feel it is safe to shop with you, and bring their children to the store. Even if all you sell is fine wines and spirits, however, that principle is just as important. When you incorporate Bottle Loks into your product protection, your business gives the impression that you take security seriously. These caps are smart and sleek, and only add a neat look to the bottles, and they never detract from the look of the product. There is little to no training required for their use, and they are removed easily at the checkout.
Additionally, being known in the community for theft can attract the wrong type of shopper. It’s just like when a store becomes known for having a pushover refund policy. People will come from all around, bringing unwanted or even stolen merchandise for cash or store credits. Theft attracts and breeds more theft. Recently in the news, a man was caught leaving a store, attempting to leave with three gift sets of high retail vodkas concealed in booster bags. He had successfully gotten away many times before that instance from that very store. He knew the times the store was busiest, what days they received new deliveries, and when the clerks would be most likely be changing shifts. This particular store had a reputation in the town for being an easy mark. The clerks that remained for any significant time became complacent and even began accepting the idea that there was nothing they could do to stop the rash of thefts. An investment in Bottle Loks could actually give these employees a new outlook on their store’s security. When employees feel empowered, they are more engaged and more apt to take theft deterrence seriously.
When you have product walking out the door, unpaid and unaccounted for, your business will suffer in more ways than one. Think about adding Bottle Loks to your business’ product protection plan. An investment in these can make a big difference for your profit line. And don’t forget, you can’t put a price on your store’s reputation.
For more information contact us at Bottlelock.net or call 1.770.426.0547
Bottled wines and spirits are available for purchase at a large variety to retailers in today’s world. From big box grocery stores to small specialty shops, consumers have a number of choices of where to shop. The shops have to differentiate themselves to attract customers to choose them over their competitor. For many of these retailers,there is the additional daily battle to protect those bottles from being stolen. Bottle Loks can be the added security measure to keep the store’s profit line in the black.
No store wants to be known in the community for having rampant theft. Your customer’s safety and security must be your number one priority, and your business needs to have the reputation that supports that. If your business sells a number of different products, like groceries and household items, and you have added alcohol to the shelves, people have to feel it is safe to shop with you, and bring their children to the store. Even if all you sell is fine wines and spirits, however, that principle is just as important. When you incorporate Bottle Loks into your product protection, your business gives the impression that you take security seriously. These caps are smart and sleek, and only add a neat look to the bottles, and they never detract from the look of the product. There is little to no training required for their use, and they are removed easily at the checkout.
Additionally, being known in the community for theft can attract the wrong type of shopper. It’s just like when a store becomes known for having a pushover refund policy. People will come from all around, bringing unwanted or even stolen merchandise for cash or store credits. Theft attracts and breeds more theft. Recently in the news, a man was caught leaving a store, attempting to leave with three gift sets of high retail vodkas concealed in booster bags. He had successfully gotten away many times before that instance from that very store. He knew the times the store was busiest, what days they received new deliveries, and when the clerks would be most likely be changing shifts. This particular store had a reputation in the town for being an easy mark. The clerks that remained for any significant time became complacent and even began accepting the idea that there was nothing they could do to stop the rash of thefts. An investment in Bottle Loks could actually give these employees a new outlook on their store’s security. When employees feel empowered, they are more engaged and more apt to take theft deterrence seriously.
When you have product walking out the door, unpaid and unaccounted for, your business will suffer in more ways than one. Think about adding Bottle Loks to your business’ product protection plan. An investment in these can make a big difference for your profit line. And don’t forget, you can’t put a price on your store’s reputation.
For more information contact us at Bottlelock.net or call 1.770.426.0547
One aspect of retail theft prevention that is often overlooked, is using your environment and surroundings to control loss of merchandise. It may sound like a lot of work, but it’s really quite simple. It’s about reducing opportunities for the shoplifter, and making it as difficult as possible to steal from your store. Used in conjunction with other options of merchandise protection and employee awareness, environmental control can be a strong addition to your strategy.
Devices such as Checkpoint Tags work great if the shoplifter goes out the front door, but besides being a visual deterrent, they have little effect on merchandise that doesn’t pass through the doors where the antennas are located. One particular store I used to work for had several opportunities in regard to controlling the surroundings in order to stop shoplifting. Although not all stores have the same layouts and opportunities, this will give you an idea of the kinds of things to look for in your store.
First off, the garden department was a huge opportunity for theft. The area that contained the plants was surrounded by a fence, but there was no roof on it, which created an irresistible opportunity for thieves to throw items over the fence and pick them up outside later. We recognized this as a big problem, and ordered new shade screens that helped reduce the amount of space that was open in the top. If that wasn’t enough, the entire chain link fence had an opening under it that allowed merchandise to be passed underneath it to the outside. Some of the openings were blocked by wooden planks, but for some reason there were many spaces that were not secured. So of course people would go out there and kick DVDs and other merchandise under the fence. You can probably guess what we did next, which was to buy more wood planks to block the remaining openings in the fence.
There was a similar situation in the front of the store. This particular store was attached to a mall and there was a gap in the wall that separated the store from the mall. It was close to the exit doors, but was behind racks in the clothing department. Shoplifters would use this gap to push merchandise through to the other side. They would then exit the store, and retrieve it from the other side, which was well past the EAS antennas.
The next area we looked at was the electronics department, which shared a wall with another department and there was an open space in wall in the back of the aisle. This allowed shoplifters to select merchandise in the electronics department and place it on the shelf near the opening. They would then go to the next aisle over, where they knew there was less camera coverage, and steal the items there instead.
These are only a few examples of the opportunities that I have observed in stores. Like I said before, every store is different and comes with its own opportunities. Your best move is to survey the areas of your store and make sure you aren’t having similar problems with your surroundings. After all, if you are serious about trying to stop shoplifting in your store, your retail theft prevention plan can only be successful if you look at all of your opportunities and take action where it is needed the most.
For more information contact us: (retail theft prevention) or call 1.770.426.0547
One aspect of retail theft prevention that is often overlooked, is using your environment and surroundings to control loss of merchandise. It may sound like a lot of work, but it’s really quite simple. It’s about reducing opportunities for the shoplifter, and making it as difficult as possible to steal from your store. Used in conjunction with other options of merchandise protection and employee awareness, environmental control can be a strong addition to your strategy.
Devices such as Checkpoint Tags work great if the shoplifter goes out the front door, but besides being a visual deterrent, they have little effect on merchandise that doesn’t pass through the doors where the antennas are located. One particular store I used to work for had several opportunities in regard to controlling the surroundings in order to stop shoplifting. Although not all stores have the same layouts and opportunities, this will give you an idea of the kinds of things to look for in your store.
First off, the garden department was a huge opportunity for theft. The area that contained the plants was surrounded by a fence, but there was no roof on it, which created an irresistible opportunity for thieves to throw items over the fence and pick them up outside later. We recognized this as a big problem, and ordered new shade screens that helped reduce the amount of space that was open in the top. If that wasn’t enough, the entire chain link fence had an opening under it that allowed merchandise to be passed underneath it to the outside. Some of the openings were blocked by wooden planks, but for some reason there were many spaces that were not secured. So of course people would go out there and kick DVDs and other merchandise under the fence. You can probably guess what we did next, which was to buy more wood planks to block the remaining openings in the fence.
There was a similar situation in the front of the store. This particular store was attached to a mall and there was a gap in the wall that separated the store from the mall. It was close to the exit doors, but was behind racks in the clothing department. Shoplifters would use this gap to push merchandise through to the other side. They would then exit the store, and retrieve it from the other side, which was well past the EAS antennas.
The next area we looked at was the electronics department, which shared a wall with another department and there was an open space in wall in the back of the aisle. This allowed shoplifters to select merchandise in the electronics department and place it on the shelf near the opening. They would then go to the next aisle over, where they knew there was less camera coverage, and steal the items there instead.
These are only a few examples of the opportunities that I have observed in stores. Like I said before, every store is different and comes with its own opportunities. Your best move is to survey the areas of your store and make sure you aren’t having similar problems with your surroundings. After all, if you are serious about trying to stop shoplifting in your store, your retail theft prevention plan can only be successful if you look at all of your opportunities and take action where it is needed the most.
For more information contact us: Retail Theft Prevention or call 1.770.426.0547
