AA Blog 50
Customer Counting Systems: 5
Door Counting Sensor: 3
Improve Customer Service And Staffing Inefficiencies With A Customer Counting System.
Being in loss prevention I always tend to think about security related products and how they can benefit companies. I do this all the time! Everywhere I go, I am thinking about how certain solutions could assist in making my experience more convenient. Maybe that sounds silly, but as a consumer there are so many areas that I encounter on a daily basis that involve customer service and sales, that I can’t help but ponder how it could be improved. For example, I was at the bank the other day to deposit a check, and I couldn’t help but be annoyed with the line of customers waiting for assistance. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that they are doing the best they can to provide good service to their customers, but that doesn’t change the fact that I am on lunch break, and have only a prescribed amount of time to complete my errand. It was the middle of the work week, around lunch time, and they only had two tellers working. There were about ten customer’s waiting for assistance and it was moving very slow. When it comes to banking, they don’t have extra tellers sitting in the back just waiting to jump in to assist, and you know customer service doesn’t fall into a loan officer’s job description, so your only option is to wait or leave and come back later. Well I wasn’t leaving, because I needed to deposit my check, so I waited. While waiting, semi-patiently, I began to think about this situation and how I could improve this process. Obviously the bank, like other services, has to try and determine what their customer rates are going to be based various factors. They might be able to do a trending analysis on transactions to get a better understanding of transaction frequency and customer rates, but I can only assume this would be a daunting task. They can predict customer rates based on certain factors, like holiday schedules, business hours, and typical pay cycles, but it’s definitely not a science. Although, a customer counting system would alleviate the guess work, and allow for a real time look at customer rates and waiting times.
Although customer counting systems are typically designed for the retail industry, they can be effective in various customer service related fields. In the banking industry, door counting sensors could be a valuable means to monitor customer traffic, both entering and exiting the institution. These devices are designed so that it can provide an automatic report every night, which details the data hourly. This level of detail can assist management in determining how long the transactions are taking and how that is affecting customer satisfaction. Customer counting systems can assist with employee management and staffing issues as well. Evaluating customer rates can allow managers to better staff their branches, based on customer history, thus reducing unneeded staffing and reducing cost. The door counting sensors provide a real time means to evaluate customer traffic, evaluate staffing needs, and increase profits, while improving customer satisfaction.
Technology is imperative in today’s society, and a great way to improve various parts of our business’ practices. Customer counting systems are no different. They provide a great way to track customer activity, manage resources, and identify weaknesses in customer service. The door counting sensors are very easy to install and connect utilizing your current internet connection. The reporting feature is very useful and can also assist in identifying marketing opportunities. A door counting sensor isn’t limited to retail; in fact it can be utilized by anyone in the customer service field.
Get more information on customer counting systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Being in loss prevention I always tend to think about security related products and how they can benefit companies. I do this all the time! Everywhere I go, I am thinking about how certain solutions could assist in making my experience more convenient. Maybe that sounds silly, but as a consumer there are so many areas that I encounter on a daily basis that involve customer service and sales, that I can’t help but ponder how it could be improved. For example, I was at the bank the other day to deposit a check, and I couldn’t help but be annoyed with the line of customers waiting for assistance. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that they are doing the best they can to provide good service to their customers, but that doesn’t change the fact that I am on lunch break, and have only a prescribed amount of time to complete my errand. It was the middle of the work week, around lunch time, and they only had two tellers working. There were about ten customer’s waiting for assistance and it was moving very slow. When it comes to banking, they don’t have extra tellers sitting in the back just waiting to jump in to assist, and you know customer service doesn’t fall into a loan officer’s job description, so your only option is to wait or leave and come back later. Well I wasn’t leaving, because I needed to deposit my check, so I waited. While waiting, semi-patiently, I began to think about this situation and how I could improve this process. Obviously the bank, like other services, has to try and determine what their customer rates are going to be based various factors. They might be able to do a trending analysis on transactions to get a better understanding of transaction frequency and customer rates, but I can only assume this would be a daunting task. They can predict customer rates based on certain factors, like holiday schedules, business hours, and typical pay cycles, but it’s definitely not a science. Although, a customer counting system would alleviate the guess work, and allow for a real time look at customer rates and waiting times.
Although customer counting systems are typically designed for the retail industry, they can be effective in various customer service related fields. In the banking industry, door counting sensors could be a valuable means to monitor customer traffic, both entering and exiting the institution. These devices are designed so that it can provide an automatic report every night, which details the data hourly. This level of detail can assist management in determining how long the transactions are taking and how that is affecting customer satisfaction. Customer counting systems can assist with employee management and staffing issues as well. Evaluating customer rates can allow managers to better staff their branches, based on customer history, thus reducing unneeded staffing and reducing cost. The door counting sensors provide a real time means to evaluate customer traffic, evaluate staffing needs, and increase profits, while improving customer satisfaction.
Technology is imperative in today’s society, and a great way to improve various parts of our business’ practices. Customer counting systems are no different. They provide a great way to track customer activity, manage resources, and identify weaknesses in customer service. The door counting sensors are very easy to install and connect utilizing your current internet connection. The reporting feature is very useful and can also assist in identifying marketing opportunities. A door counting sensor isn’t limited to retail; in fact it can be utilized by anyone in the customer service field.
Get more information on customer counting systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Stop Shoplifting-4 WC blog 374
Checkpoint Security System-3
Weather Emergencies And Other Crisis; How Do You Prepare, Respond, Recover and Do You Still Stop Shoplifting? Part 3
In Parts 1 and 2 of this series on Emergencies and Crisis that can impact a retail store, I spent time sharing a number of stories of incidents I have dealt with as a Loss Prevention Manager. I also talked about how store management needs to be aware that if a store is open pre or post emergency, there still needs to be an awareness of the need to stop shoplifting if possible and keep Checkpoint Security Systems operating until a store closure is necessary.
Checkpoint Security Systems are the first line of defense to stop shoplifting. The pedestals at the doors can detect electronic article surveillance tags on merchandise and sound an alert and activate flashing lights so employees can respond and prevent a theft. Many EAS hard tags are tamper proof and will alarm if someone tries to force them off of a piece of merchandise. While staff are busy trying to react to crisis situations, the Security System maybe the only thing to prevent shoplifters from cleaning out a store.
In creating an emergency action plan for your store keep in mind that each store is different and varies in building layout, number of staff members, number of managers, locations of exits and so on. It is also important to remember a store in Wisconsin doesn’t need to plan for a hurricane but a store in Florida should put this near the top of their planning. So here are some tips for things to include in your action plans as you complete them:
• Remember that the protection of employees and customers should be your number 1 priority. All other things regarding the protection of property and merchandise are secondary concerns. Keep this in mind as you begin your planning.
• If the emergency is a hurricane, in most instances you will have advance warning through tropical storm watches and warnings which grow into hurricane watches and warnings. Make sure your employees know you are monitoring the situation. If employees are getting nervous as the storm nears and they ask to leave so they can get their families to a safer location, allow it. I have seen the effect anxious employees can have on those around them and it can be infectious. You don’t want that as you are preparing for the event. The same can be true for severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado watches. It may be difficult to run the store with fewer people but in the long run you help yourself.
• When there is advance warning, start to shut down non-essential equipment to avoid power surge damage and if possible cover those items with plastic bags to protect against water damage in case of roof leaks. Leave enough cash registers operating to serve customers and don’t power down your Checkpoint Security Systems until absolutely necessary. If patrons are still in the store potential shoplifters are too and you need it to stop shoplifting while running through our preparations.
• For emergencies that give little time to prepare, have an emergency binder and make it a daily task to review how to respond to a different contingency and once you have reviewed everything, start over. Repetition helps reinforce information and makes it easier to respond.
• Have Flashlights located near an emergency binder in multiple locations in the store. One at the service desk, one at a fitting room, and one in your stockroom. Place a first aid kit at each location and if possible an AED kit (Automated External Defibrillators). I would also recommend a small fire extinguisher at each of these places too.
• Have a pre-planned safe place where you will send your customers and employees in the event of a tornado. If you have a lot of people to protect, find an interior room or location that is away from doors and windows.
• For building evacuations due to fire, gas leaks, earthquakes, etc. have a pre-planned rally point that all employees know about. This allows the manager on duty to account for everyone or identify if someone is missing and report it to authorities.
• If at all possible have an emergency generator hooked up to a natural gas source that can run a few registers and lights if power goes out so you can run your business and not lose all business.
These are only a few suggestions to put include in a plan. It is important to keep in mind that a store should have a more detailed action plan in place. Just remember customer and employee safety is first but don’t forget that it is important to try to stop shoplifting at the same time, if at all possible.
Need information on Checkpoint Security Systems? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
In Parts 1 and 2 of this series on Emergencies and Crisis that can impact a retail store, I spent time sharing a number of stories of incidents I have dealt with as a Loss Prevention Manager. I also talked about how store management needs to be aware that if a store is open pre or post emergency, there still needs to be an awareness of the need to stop shoplifting if possible and keep Checkpoint Security Systems operating until a store closure is necessary.
Checkpoint Security Systems are the first line of defense to stop shoplifting. The pedestals at the doors can detect electronic article surveillance tags on merchandise and sound an alert and activate flashing lights so employees can respond and prevent a theft. Many EAS hard tags are tamper proof and will alarm if someone tries to force them off of a piece of merchandise. While staff are busy trying to react to crisis situations, the Security System maybe the only thing to prevent shoplifters from cleaning out a store.
In creating an emergency action plan for your store keep in mind that each store is different and varies in building layout, number of staff members, number of managers, locations of exits and so on. It is also important to remember a store in Wisconsin doesn’t need to plan for a hurricane but a store in Florida should put this near the top of their planning. So here are some tips for things to include in your action plans as you complete them:
• Remember that the protection of employees and customers should be your number 1 priority. All other things regarding the protection of property and merchandise are secondary concerns. Keep this in mind as you begin your planning.
• If the emergency is a hurricane, in most instances you will have advance warning through tropical storm watches and warnings which grow into hurricane watches and warnings. Make sure your employees know you are monitoring the situation. If employees are getting nervous as the storm nears and they ask to leave so they can get their families to a safer location, allow it. I have seen the effect anxious employees can have on those around them and it can be infectious. You don’t want that as you are preparing for the event. The same can be true for severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado watches. It may be difficult to run the store with fewer people but in the long run you help yourself.
• When there is advance warning, start to shut down non-essential equipment to avoid power surge damage and if possible cover those items with plastic bags to protect against water damage in case of roof leaks. Leave enough cash registers operating to serve customers and don’t power down your Checkpoint Security Systems until absolutely necessary. If patrons are still in the store potential shoplifters are too and you need it to stop shoplifting while running through our preparations.
• For emergencies that give little time to prepare, have an emergency binder and make it a daily task to review how to respond to a different contingency and once you have reviewed everything, start over. Repetition helps reinforce information and makes it easier to respond.
• Have Flashlights located near an emergency binder in multiple locations in the store. One at the service desk, one at a fitting room, and one in your stockroom. Place a first aid kit at each location and if possible an AED kit (Automated External Defibrillators). I would also recommend a small fire extinguisher at each of these places too.
• Have a pre-planned safe place where you will send your customers and employees in the event of a tornado. If you have a lot of people to protect, find an interior room or location that is away from doors and windows.
• For building evacuations due to fire, gas leaks, earthquakes, etc. have a pre-planned rally point that all employees know about. This allows the manager on duty to account for everyone or identify if someone is missing and report it to authorities.
• If at all possible have an emergency generator hooked up to a natural gas source that can run a few registers and lights if power goes out so you can run your business and not lose all business.
These are only a few suggestions to put include in a plan. It is important to keep in mind that a store should have a more detailed action plan in place. Just remember customer and employee safety is first but don’t forget that it is important to try to stop shoplifting at the same time, if at all possible.
Need information on Checkpoint Security Systems? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Checkpoint System- 4 WC Blog 423
Retail Theft Prevention-4
Inventory Control Includes An Effective Shortage Action Plan Focused On Operational Issues AND Retail Theft Prevention Strategies
I’ve been doing a lot of cashiering recently in my part-time job. Normally I am a “Sales Consultant” on the selling floor assisting customers with finding the items they need and suggesting how to better find what will serve their purposes. Now I have been in retail a LONG time, a little over 27 years as a matter-of-fact. Most of that time was in Retail Loss Prevention but I have been a Logistics Manager and a Manager on Duty so the cash register is not unfamiliar to me. Because of my L.P. experience merchandise shortage and inventory control has always been a major focus for me and I look at processes and procedures with a critical eye. One of the things that has really struck home as I have cashiered and worked the salesfloor is the amount of merchandise that seems to be “missing”. The merchandise that can’t be accounted for does not seem to be due to a lack of retail theft prevention measures, it seems to be due to process errors. There are times when a lack of procedures and inventory control can be as harmful to a store’s profit line as shoplifters. While a Checkpoint System is great at preventing theft, it takes a total shortage reduction plan to address operational issues too.
When I discuss Retail Theft Prevention what I am mean is the use of a Checkpoint System to stop thieves from cleaning out a store of merchandise. A system includes electronic article surveillance (EAS) pedestals that detect EAS tagged merchandise and sound an alarm when protected products are carried too close to them. Needless to say a system also incorporates the tags which come in a wide range of products from soft labels to hard tags and wraps. It will also include deactivation pads to de-tune soft tags and detachment keys to remove hard tags for re-use on new merchandise.
When I am talking about operational issues affecting inventory control and shortage I am referencing those things which are not theft related but are generally related to process mistakes. For example, when merchandise in a shopping cart is overlooked by the customer and the cashier that is considered an operational error contributing to store shortage. This is not about those situations of intentional passing or stealing. Another example is when a case pack of merchandise is not properly separated before being stocked on the sales floor and it gets rung up as a single unit rather than multiple units.
Recently I had a large quantity of school folders that appeared to be “missing”, several hundred as a matter of fact. These are inexpensive folders only costing a few cents each so we are not talking about large amounts of money. I do not believe this is a theft issue. What I have noticed while cashiering is that if I don’t scan each individual item as I am ringing a sale I am catching two sku’s mixed together because the folders are so similar. One sku has prongs and one has no prongs. I can see that if our cashiers are using the quantity key instead of individually scanning each and every folder in a purchase there is a strong probability of throwing on-hand counts of each type of sku off. This example is one that is not extremely costly but if this is happening with more expensive purchases, let’s say multiple reams of paper or mailing labels for business purchases, store inventory and shortage numbers can be significantly impacted.
You can see that retail theft prevention strategies will not be too useful in this situation but a good shortage action plan that includes operational aspects to it can be. A Checkpoint System can be helpful to stop one operational shortage issue and that would be accidental missed merchandise on the bottom of a buggy. Tagged product that is legitimately overlooked by the cashier and customer will sound the EAS pedestals and the customer will return and pay for the item or decide they don’t have the time to purchase it if they are in a hurry.
Inventory control is critical if a store is to remain profitable. Training cashiers on the proper ways to checkout merchandise and look for bottom of basket merchandise is important. While a Checkpoint System is primarily for retail theft prevention it does have a role in operational shortage if you ensure you tag all of the merchandise you carry, not just the expensive ones.
Need information on a Checkpoint System? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now
I’ve been doing a lot of cashiering recently in my part-time job. Normally I am a “Sales Consultant” on the selling floor assisting customers with finding the items they need and suggesting how to better find what will serve their purposes. Now I have been in retail a LONG time, a little over 27 years as a matter-of-fact. Most of that time was in Retail Loss Prevention but I have been a Logistics Manager and a Manager on Duty so the cash register is not unfamiliar to me. Because of my L.P. experience merchandise shortage and inventory control has always been a major focus for me and I look at processes and procedures with a critical eye. One of the things that has really struck home as I have cashiered and worked the salesfloor is the amount of merchandise that seems to be “missing”. The merchandise that can’t be accounted for does not seem to be due to a lack of retail theft prevention measures, it seems to be due to process errors. There are times when a lack of procedures and inventory control can be as harmful to a store’s profit line as shoplifters. While a Checkpoint System is great at preventing theft, it takes a total shortage reduction plan to address operational issues too.
When I discuss Retail Theft Prevention what I am mean is the use of a Checkpoint System to stop thieves from cleaning out a store of merchandise. A system includes electronic article surveillance (EAS) pedestals that detect EAS tagged merchandise and sound an alarm when protected products are carried too close to them. Needless to say a system also incorporates the tags which come in a wide range of products from soft labels to hard tags and wraps. It will also include deactivation pads to de-tune soft tags and detachment keys to remove hard tags for re-use on new merchandise.
When I am talking about operational issues affecting inventory control and shortage I am referencing those things which are not theft related but are generally related to process mistakes. For example, when merchandise in a shopping cart is overlooked by the customer and the cashier that is considered an operational error contributing to store shortage. This is not about those situations of intentional passing or stealing. Another example is when a case pack of merchandise is not properly separated before being stocked on the sales floor and it gets rung up as a single unit rather than multiple units.
Recently I had a large quantity of school folders that appeared to be “missing”, several hundred as a matter of fact. These are inexpensive folders only costing a few cents each so we are not talking about large amounts of money. I do not believe this is a theft issue. What I have noticed while cashiering is that if I don’t scan each individual item as I am ringing a sale I am catching two sku’s mixed together because the folders are so similar. One sku has prongs and one has no prongs. I can see that if our cashiers are using the quantity key instead of individually scanning each and every folder in a purchase there is a strong probability of throwing on-hand counts of each type of sku off. This example is one that is not extremely costly but if this is happening with more expensive purchases, let’s say multiple reams of paper or mailing labels for business purchases, store inventory and shortage numbers can be significantly impacted.
You can see that retail theft prevention strategies will not be too useful in this situation but a good shortage action plan that includes operational aspects to it can be. A Checkpoint System can be helpful to stop one operational shortage issue and that would be accidental missed merchandise on the bottom of a buggy. Tagged product that is legitimately overlooked by the cashier and customer will sound the EAS pedestals and the customer will return and pay for the item or decide they don’t have the time to purchase it if they are in a hurry.
Inventory control is critical if a store is to remain profitable. Training cashiers on the proper ways to checkout merchandise and look for bottom of basket merchandise is important. While a Checkpoint System is primarily for retail theft prevention it does have a role in operational shortage if you ensure you tag all of the merchandise you carry, not just the expensive ones.
Need information on a Checkpoint System? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now
