Checkpoint Security Tags- 4 WC Blog 225
Checkpoint Tags-4
Electronic Article Surveillance-5
Checkpoint hard tags-3
Stop shoplifting-3
Tips To Identify Potential Shoplifters And How The Use Of Checkpoint Tags And Customer Service Can Prevent Theft Part 2
In part 1 of this series I discussed the false notion some Loss Prevention people hold that somehow they can just look at a person and tell if they are a shoplifter. I contend that in the majority of the cases they may point to in order to prove their point; there were probably indicators in behavior or attire that actually initiated the case. In part 1 I reviewed a few of the signs of a shoplifter though it was neither all-encompassing nor universal since each shoplifter has their own quirks. I also pointed out that stores can deter a majority of shoplifters simply by using Checkpoint security tags and electronic article surveillance antennas to protect merchandise. In this part I am going to cover how store personnel who are not trained in Loss Prevention can respond to those signals as well as electronic article surveillance alarms, to stop shoplifting and keep merchandise in the store.
For the readers who may have missed part 1, here is a quick review of what Checkpoint security tags and electronic article surveillance antennas are and how they work together to stop shoplifting. Checkpoint tags come in two versions, a soft tag and Checkpoint hard tags. a soft tag which can be peeled from a roll and applied to a number of surfaces, including cardboard, plastic and shrink wrap. Checkpoint hard tags are two piece designs that are pinned through materials and secured together. These tags are versatile and can be attached to a wide range of products, including but not limited to clothing, shoes, purses, bedding, towels, and even pinned through clam shell packaging. Checkpoint tags are designed with radio frequency technology that is able to be picked up by Checkpoint antennas. The antennas are set up at entrances and exits in order to detect protected merchandise a thief may try to walk out of a store with. The point I made in my previous article was that the use of the antennas and Checkpoint security tags in a retail store are often enough to discourage most shoplifters from entering in the first place.
Even when Checkpoint tags and electronic article surveillance antennas are used, there are a few shoplifters who will try to steal anyways. I addressed the signs employees can look for in part 1, but it is just as important to know how to interact with a suspicious person and stop shoplifting discreetly.
Do:
• Offer assistance and if the person appears to be trying to remove a Checkpoint tag, offer to assist with the specific item they are holding. For example, “Can I answer any questions you may have about that shirt?” Mentioning the item can make a shoplifter nervous.
• Greet the customer and offer help. If they refuse your offer and are giving signs they are trying to steal, stand in the area and straighten merchandise. Shoplifters don’t want people hanging around them.
• If the customer has placed something in a purse or bag and you are certain of what it was, ask if you can help them with the item they had been holding. You may say something like, “That was a nice pair of shoes you were looking at, were you still interested in them?”
• Offer what I call aggressive customer service. Make small talk, ask who the person is buying for, or what is the event they are going to wear the item too. I have had people try to complain that I was pestering them, but they sound silly when they say they are being offered too much help. Kill them with kindness!
Don’t:
• Accuse someone of trying to steal. Depending on the jurisdiction, concealment may not be enough to say someone is shoplifting and that leads to other issues.
• When responding to an Electronic Article Surveillance Alarm, suggest that there may be something the person may have “forgotten” to pay for. By giving the person an out, they may be more likely to give the item back. You get the merchandise back and have established that your employees DO respond to alarms.
• Don’t try to physically detain someone. The culprit may have a weapon, or they may be violent. You can file a police report after they leave the store.
• Don’t chase. You endanger yourself and potentially other customers.
Using Checkpoint hard tags and soft tags will save you money by deterring or preventing most shoplifting. For the rare occasion when you have a determined thief, provide them with the best shopping experience they have ever had and customer service them to death.
Get more information on Checkpoint Tags. Contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 now.
In part 1 of this series I discussed the false notion some Loss Prevention people hold that somehow they can just look at a person and tell if they are a shoplifter. I contend that in the majority of the cases they may point to in order to prove their point; there were probably indicators in behavior or attire that actually initiated the case. In part 1 I reviewed a few of the signs of a shoplifter though it was neither all-encompassing nor universal since each shoplifter has their own quirks. I also pointed out that stores can deter a majority of shoplifters simply by using Checkpoint security tags and electronic article surveillance antennas to protect merchandise. In this part I am going to cover how store personnel who are not trained in Loss Prevention can respond to those signals as well as electronic article surveillance alarms, to stop shoplifting and keep merchandise in the store.
For the readers who may have missed part 1, here is a quick review of what Checkpoint security tags and electronic article surveillance antennas are and how they work together to stop shoplifting. Checkpoint tags come in two versions, a soft tag and Checkpoint hard tags. A soft tag which can be peeled from a roll and applied to a number of surfaces, including cardboard, plastic and shrink wrap. Checkpoint hard tags are two piece designs that are pinned through materials and secured together. These tags are versatile and can be attached to a wide range of products, including but not limited to clothing, shoes, purses, bedding, towels, and even pinned through clam shell packaging. Checkpoint tags are designed with radio frequency technology that is able to be picked up by Checkpoint antennas. The antennas are set up at entrances and exits in order to detect protected merchandise a thief may try to walk out of a store with. The point I made in my previous article was that the use of the antennas and Checkpoint security tags in a retail store are often enough to discourage most shoplifters from entering in the first place.
Even when Checkpoint tags and electronic article surveillance antennas are used, there are a few shoplifters who will try to steal anyways. I addressed the signs employees can look for in part 1, but it is just as important to know how to interact with a suspicious person and stop shoplifting discreetly.
Do:
• Offer assistance and if the person appears to be trying to remove a Checkpoint tag, offer to assist with the specific item they are holding. For example, “Can I answer any questions you may have about that shirt?” Mentioning the item can make a shoplifter nervous.
• Greet the customer and offer help. If they refuse your offer and are giving signs they are trying to steal, stand in the area and straighten merchandise. Shoplifters don’t want people hanging around them.
• If the customer has placed something in a purse or bag and you are certain of what it was, ask if you can help them with the item they had been holding. You may say something like, “That was a nice pair of shoes you were looking at, were you still interested in them?”
• Offer what I call aggressive customer service. Make small talk, ask who the person is buying for, or what is the event they are going to wear the item too. I have had people try to complain that I was pestering them, but they sound silly when they say they are being offered too much help. Kill them with kindness!
Don’t:
• Accuse someone of trying to steal. Depending on the jurisdiction, concealment may not be enough to say someone is shoplifting and that leads to other issues.
• When responding to an Electronic Article Surveillance Alarm, suggest that there may be something the person may have “forgotten” to pay for. By giving the person an out, they may be more likely to give the item back. You get the merchandise back and have established that your employees DO respond to alarms.
• Don’t try to physically detain someone. The culprit may have a weapon, or they may be violent. You can file a police report after they leave the store.
• Don’t chase. You endanger yourself and potentially other customers.
Using Checkpoint hard tags and soft tags will save you money by deterring or preventing most shoplifting. For the rare occasion when you have a determined thief, provide them with the best shopping experience they have ever had and customer service them to death.
Get more information on Checkpoint Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 now.
Alpha 3 Alarm: 5
Prevent shoplifting: 3
Inventory Control: 3
Improve Your Inventory Control With The Alpha 3 Alarm. Deter, Detect, And Improve Profit.
When it comes to the retail industry you can’t be naïve to risk, which is why it is imperative for any company to identify and mitigate their risk. It is important to have a well-rounded loss prevention program so you can identify and prevent theft. In order to be prepared, you have to be knowledgeable of the resources available to help prevent shoplifting. Security and technology continues to improve and develop over the years, which provides better security products for any industry. I continually try to educate myself on products so I can continue to improve the security in my stores. With security comes efficiency. I have found the more protected I am the better control I have over other aspects of my business, such as: inventory control; employee management and customer satisfaction. If you are in the retail business, you know how difficult these types of tasks and controls can be, especially inventory management. For years I have tried to better understand how to improve this process and increase efficiency, which is why I use Alpha 3 alarm technology.
I have learned throughout my career that those who shoplift will go to extreme measures to take your property. They educate themselves on current loss prevention equipment, and how to circumvent security measures, which is why you must do the same. Shrinkage is a large factor when it comes to inventory control and managing your resources efficiently. Most stores only do a periodic inventory and find themselves looking for products, which should exist, but can’t be located. This creates issues when it comes to ensuring we have the proper stock on the shelves and available for our customers. Since I started using the Alpha 3 alarm devices in my stores, I have seen a significant reduction in shrinkage. Security devices equipped with these alarms allow detection on multiple levels. The EAS technology will sound an audible alarm and flash an LED light when a breach or tampering occurs with the device, and offers long range EAS to notify when an item is removed from the store. Tampering with hard tag devices is very common in the market, which is why the Alpha 3 alarm is the best means at deterring theft. These devices are very durable and can be attached to any garment, shoes, purses and other accessories. These alarms are easily applied in store and can be re-used multiple times, which provides a significant cost-savings to the retailer. Since I started using these devices I have reduced my shrinkage by 30%, which is significant in managing my inventory and ensuring I have products on hand. It has also improved my ability to prevent shoplifting and increased my profit margin substantially.
Since I have started using the Alpha 3 alarms on my merchandise, I have had a huge improvement in my inventory control. I have found that this product helps me prevent shoplifting, reduces my shrinkage and improves my profit margin. Now I do not have to conduct multiple inventories to determine what I have on the shelves; which has also improved my customer satisfaction. As a customer myself, I know how frustrating it can be to go to your favorite store and never find what you are looking for. Now I can do quarterly inventory, without fear that I am missing something significant in between, resulting in a profit loss to my business. This EAS system is very reliable product in comparison to other security tags I have used in the past. Its durability and reliability is unmatched in the market and its deterrence capability has paid for itself multiple times.
Get more information about Alpha 3 alarms, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
When it comes to the retail industry you can’t be naïve to risk, which is why it is imperative for any company to identify and mitigate their risk. It is important to have a well-rounded loss prevention program so you can identify and prevent theft. In order to be prepared, you have to be knowledgeable of the resources available to help prevent shoplifting. Security and technology continues to improve and develop over the years, which provides better security products for any industry. I continually try to educate myself on products so I can continue to improve the security in my stores. With security comes efficiency. I have found the more protected I am the better control I have over other aspects of my business, such as: inventory control; employee management and customer satisfaction. If you are in the retail business, you know how difficult these types of tasks and controls can be, especially inventory management. For years I have tried to better understand how to improve this process and increase efficiency, which is why I use Alpha 3 alarm technology.
I have learned throughout my career that those who shoplift will go to extreme measures to take your property. They educate themselves on current loss prevention equipment, and how to circumvent security measures, which is why you must do the same. Shrinkage is a large factor when it comes to inventory control and managing your resources efficiently. Most stores only do a periodic inventory and find themselves looking for products, which should exist, but can’t be located. This creates issues when it comes to ensuring we have the proper stock on the shelves and available for our customers. Since I started using the Alpha 3 alarm devices in my stores, I have seen a significant reduction in shrinkage. Security devices equipped with these alarms allow detection on multiple levels. The EAS technology will sound an audible alarm and flash an LED light when a breach or tampering occurs with the device, and offers long range EAS to notify when an item is removed from the store. Tampering with hard tag devices is very common in the market, which is why the Alpha 3 alarm is the best means at deterring theft. These devices are very durable and can be attached to any garment, shoes, purses and other accessories. These alarms are easily applied in store and can be re-used multiple times, which provides a significant cost-savings to the retailer. Since I started using these devices I have reduced my shrinkage by 30%, which is significant in managing my inventory and ensuring I have products on hand. It has also improved my ability to prevent shoplifting and increased my profit margin substantially.
Since I have started using the Alpha 3 alarms on my merchandise, I have had a huge improvement in my inventory control. I have found that this product helps me prevent shoplifting, reduces my shrinkage and improves my profit margin. Now I do not have to conduct multiple inventories to determine what I have on the shelves; which has also improved my customer satisfaction. As a customer myself, I know how frustrating it can be to go to your favorite store and never find what you are looking for. Now I can do quarterly inventory, without fear that I am missing something significant in between, resulting in a profit loss to my business. This EAS system is very reliable product in comparison to other security tags I have used in the past. Its durability and reliability is unmatched in the market and its deterrence capability has paid for itself multiple times.
Get more information about Alpha 3 alarms, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Alpha Keepers-5 WC blog 229
Protect infant formula-3
Prevent shoplifting-4
Empty Shelves Of Infant Formula Starving Your Profits? Prevent Shoplifting With Alpha Keepers; Part 1
Many of you are familiar with Alpha Keepers, the anti-theft devices used to prevent shoplifting. You’ve seen these clear boxes protecting DVD’s, video games and if you’ve been to some of the bigger retail stores, even health and beauty products. What you may not know about Alpha Keepers is that they are also available to protect infant formula. Why would baby formula need to be protected? If your store(s) sell baby formula you need to know that it is a high theft item for several reasons which I will discuss shortly. I used to work for a big box retail store and it was a theft issue for us, but we were limited in what we could do to prevent the theft of our cans. We marked our cans with permanent stickers, we put security cameras in the area and we conducted live surveillances but we never made significant apprehensions. We knew from our inventory numbers they were going missing, we just struggled to prevent shoplifting of the merchandise. We would have been far more successful if we had Alpha Keepers at the time to aid us.
I have been to stores that use locking display cases to protect infant formula but this is not the best method to prevent shoplifting. Alpha Keepers designed for baby formula are better suited for driving up sales and keeping shortage down. The clear, solid plastic design permits parents or caregivers to read labels, note warnings and see content information about the product. The keepers are also built so that they can be detected when they are in the range of electronic article surveillance antennas. Keepers are detected by antennas and cause an antenna alarm and lights to be set off when a box gets too close to the antenna. This means that when a shoplifter attempts to smuggle product out the door, even if hidden under clothes or in a bag, alarms warn employees a theft is occurring. Employees can then take steps to recover the merchandise. Sales improve because merchandise that was being stolen is now on the floor and available to honest customers. The shopper can carry the item around without the bother of waiting for an employee with a key to come by and unlock a case, then walk the merchandise to the register for the patron. Shoppers that don’t have to wait are more prone to buy what they came to the store to pick up.
What is driving this theft of baby formula are two major factors. First, the high price of formula makes it difficult for many families to afford it, especially if it is one of the specialty products. I can tell you that when our twins were born, my wife and I had to put them on a special formula that cost us around $29.00 a can. The regular can at that time was around $10.00 each. The price of the specialty formula has now almost doubled since that time. You can guess that it was a struggle to keep up with this for two babies. We were a fairly young family at the time and we incurred a significant amount of credit card debt to ensure our babies were fed. For a family without the resources we had available to us, I can only imagine the fear and anxiety this could cause. I am not justifying that anyone would steal anything, especially with government and charitable aid available, but it is a little easier to understand how a mother or father might be tempted to steal to provide for a baby.
In part 2 of this series I will tackle the second major reason for the high theft of this item. Regardless of the reason for theft, it is important for store owners to protect infant formula from shoplifting but lock up cases or limiting quantities on display are not the best defense. Use Alpha Keepers to prevent shoplifting and keep product available for paying customers. Your customers will thank you with continued patronage and sales.
Alpha Keepers are important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Many of you are familiar with Alpha Keepers, the anti-theft devices used to prevent shoplifting. ou’ve seen these clear boxes protecting DVD’s, video games and if you’ve been to some of the bigger retail stores, even health and beauty products. hat you may not know about Alpha Keepers is that they are also available to protect infant formula. hy would baby formula need to be protected? f your store(s) sell baby formula you need to know that it is a high theft item for several reasons which I will discuss shortly. I used to work for a big box retail store and it was a theft issue for us, but we were limited in what we could do to prevent the theft of our cans. We marked our cans with permanent stickers, we put security cameras in the area and we conducted live surveillances but we never made significant apprehensions. e knew from our inventory numbers they were going missing, we just struggled to prevent shoplifting of the merchandise. We would have been far more successful if we had Alpha Keepers at the time to aid us.
I have been to stores that use locking display cases to protect infant formula but this is not the best method to prevent shoplifting. Alpha Keepers designed for baby formula are better suited for driving up sales and keeping shortage down. The clear, solid plastic design permits parents or caregivers to read labels, note warnings and see content information about the product. The keepers are also built so that they can be detected when they are in the range of electronic article surveillance antennas. Keepers are detected by antennas and cause an antenna alarm and lights to be set off when a box gets too close to the antenna. This means that when a shoplifter attempts to smuggle product out the door, even if hidden under clothes or in a bag, alarms warn employees a theft is occurring. Employees can then take steps to recover the merchandise. Sales improve because merchandise that was being stolen is now on the floor and available to honest customers. The shopper can carry the item around without the bother of waiting for an employee with a key to come by and unlock a case, then walk the merchandise to the register for the patron. Shoppers that don’t have to wait are more prone to buy what they came to the store to pick up.
What is driving this theft of baby formula are two major factors. First, the high price of formula makes it difficult for many families to afford it, especially if it is one of the specialty products. I can tell you that when our twins were born, my wife and I had to put them on a special formula that cost us around $29.00 a can. The regular can at that time was around $10.00 each. The price of the specialty formula has now almost doubled since that time. You can guess that it was a struggle to keep up with this for two babies. We were a fairly young family at the time and we incurred a significant amount of credit card debt to ensure our babies were fed. For a family without the resources we had available to us, I can only imagine the fear and anxiety this could cause. I am not justifying that anyone would steal anything, especially with government and charitable aid available, but it is a little easier to understand how a mother or father might be tempted to steal to provide for a baby.
In part 2 of this series I will tackle the second major reason for the high theft of this item. Regardless of the reason for theft, it is important for store owners to protect infant formula from shoplifting but lock up cases or limiting quantities on display are not the best defense. Use Alpha Keepers to prevent shoplifting and keep product available for paying customers. Your customers will thank you with continued patronage and sales.
Alpha Keepers are important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
