USING ALPHA KEEPERS TO SOOTHE THE BURN OF RAZOR THEFT
I walked into my local grocery store last weekend to get some shopping done. I came prepared with my list and a budget. This is the only way I can get out without spending a small fortune. I you’re an avid shopper, you know the flow. Grab your household items first, then boxed/canned stuff, saving the refrigerated/frozen goods right before checkout. You wouldn’t want your milk to spoil after 2 hours in the basket would you? As a bald guy, naturally the first thing on my list is razor blades. I get to the aisle and notice there’s empty Alpha Keepers, but no razors. They must be out, I think to myself as I continue on my trip.
My list is complete, and I’ve even taken in a few free samples (or three). I get to the checkout lanes and I happen to glance over at the service desk and see the razor blades, behind the customer service counter. I asked the cashier why the blades are back there and she tells me that they have to protect razor blades from shoplifters. Being in the business that I’m in, I agree, grab my blades and groceries and head home. In the car, I thought about the empty Alpha Keepers on the shelf and how many customers have probably left empty handed.
Do you own a grocery store, or perhaps a pharmacy? I bet you’re also tired of boosters continually targeting your razor blades. I’d also bet that you’ve gone through a gauntlet of ways to protect razor blades in your store. But are you doing more harm than good with your strategies? There’s a fine line between product protection and customer service. Knowing where that balance stands can mean the difference between shrink and sales.
It’s in my opinion that the second you place any high sales item, like razor blades, in an area not accessible to the customer (say behind a service desk), your sales will immediately take an impact. I see this routinely in my company. Razor blades are no different. There is serious demand for good razors, which also opens the door for a high theft demand as well. Resale ability on stolen goods is quite easy with household and personal care items, so the reward is huge with minimal risk for the shoplifter. So what’s the answer? How do you satisfy the customer, all while limiting the risk of being targeted by thieves? Alpha Keepers.
If you’re serious about protecting razor blades, or any other personal care item that is seeing high shirk in your store, the keeper is the route to take. They allow you to merchandise the blades on your shelves, putting them in the hands of your customer, all while making it very un-attractive to the shoplifter. I can tell you from experience that the Alpha Keeper will help minimize shrink all while helping boost your bottom line. Give them a try and see how much you’ll shave off your bottom line!
Get more information on Alpha Keepers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
I walked into my local grocery store last weekend to get some shopping done. I came prepared with my list and a budget. This is the only way I can get out without spending a small fortune. If you’re an avid shopper, you know the flow. Grab your household items first, then boxed/canned stuff, saving the refrigerated/frozen goods right before checkout. You wouldn’t want your milk to spoil after 2 hours in the basket would you? As a bald guy, naturally the first thing on my list is razor blades. I get to the aisle and notice there’s empty Alpha Keepers, but no razors. They must be out, I think to myself as I continue on my trip.
My list is complete, and I’ve even taken in a few free samples (or three). I get to the checkout lanes and I happen to glance over at the service desk and see the razor blades, behind the customer service counter. I asked the cashier why the blades are back there and she tells me that they have to protect razor blades from shoplifters. Being in the business that I’m in, I agree, grab my blades and groceries and head home. In the car, I thought about the empty Alpha Keepers on the shelf and how many customers have probably left empty handed.
Do you own a grocery store, or perhaps a pharmacy? I bet you’re also tired of boosters continually targeting your razor blades. I’d also bet that you’ve gone through a gauntlet of ways to protect razor blades in your store. But are you doing more harm than good with your strategies? There’s a fine line between product protection and customer service. Knowing where that balance stands can mean the difference between shrink and sales.
It’s in my opinion that the second you place any high sales item, like razor blades, in an area not accessible to the customer (say behind a service desk), your sales will immediately take an impact. I see this routinely in my company. Razor blades are no different. There is serious demand for good razors, which also opens the door for a high theft demand as well. Resale ability on stolen goods is quite easy with household and personal care items, so the reward is huge with minimal risk for the shoplifter. So what’s the answer? How do you satisfy the customer, all while limiting the risk of being targeted by thieves? Alpha Keepers.
If you’re serious about protecting razor blades, or any other personal care item that is seeing high shirk in your store, the keeper is the route to take. They allow you to merchandise the blades on your shelves, putting them in the hands of your customer, all while making it very un-attractive to the shoplifter. I can tell you from experience that the Alpha Keeper will help minimize shrink all while helping boost your bottom line. Give them a try and see how much you’ll shave off your bottom line!
Get more information on Alpha Keepers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Office supply stores are not without their own headaches. I’m sure there are plenty of you out there reading this that either own, or manage a small business that specializes in this category. Just how many ink pens do you get stolen from every year? Well, it doesn’t have to be a lot, as long as you’re using EAS Labels to cut down on theft. The next 5 items on our list are some of the most commonly stolen office supplies.
41. Ink Pens
How easy is it to steal a pack of ink pens? While $4-$5 here and there may not sound like much, what if someone stole 4 packs of ink pens every single day? That’s nearly $10k in lost revenue. Those dollars add up and they add up quick. Protect your inventory with a Checkpoint Label. Even if you reduce theft by 50%, that’s 5K you’re adding right back to the bottom line with one simple solution.
42. Ink/Toner
There are some bigger tagging options out there for ink and toner, but if you’re looking for a minimalistic approach to security tagging, then an EAS Label may fit the bill. The best method of tagging is achieved by placing the Checkpoint Label inside of the packaging. Since the merchandise can still be removed from the packaging quite easily, you may need to look into other security measures if you find this doesn’t help solve your theft problem.
43. Padfolios/Planners
Ever go out and purchase a good planner? I enjoy my leather planner and I paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 for it. When I purchased it, I remarked to my girlfriend how I could have easily switched the tags on the folder for a lesser priced variety. Is this the case in your store? Checkpoint Labels, with the barcode printed on it, can really cut down on the amount of loss, all while not really having an outward appearance of a security device.
44. Calculators
No, I’m not talking about those $2 calculators you can buy at any gas station. I’m talking those $250+ graphing calculators that, even after taking calculus in college, I still have no idea how to use. These are marketed towards students. Students who, in all honesty, don’t have a job and may be struggling to pay for tuition. It’s the perfect first time product to shoplift. It can be easily rationalized and if the product isn’t protected with an EAS label, even easier to steal.
45. Lighters
Ok, well this one isn’t really an “office supply” but you find these things everywhere. Pocket lighters rank as one of the world’s most commonly shoplifted item. They’re small, inexpensive and most retailers don’t bother with any type of security tagging. If you find that you’re losing more than you’re selling, EAS labels may be a viable option to help protect your merchandise.
For more information about Checkpoint Labels contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
Bottle Service – 5 wc blog 162
Bottle Locks – 4
Nightclub -5
Five Ways Bottle Service Can Build Your Business – Part I
Is it possible that owning and operating a nightclub could become a losing proposition? According to an article on the website newtheory.com club patronage by millennials is on a decline. The article, “Bid Farewell: Why Millennials Are Abandoning Nightclubs”, posted October 12, 2015, contends that, “Nightclub and bar attendance has been on a steady decline for the past several years and counting.” The reason for the decline is blamed on millennials and millennials are those who fall into the age bracket between 21 and 38 and they cite this information from a report by research firm, GFK. The story lists a number of reasons given by respondents to an anonymous online survey for not attending clubs regularly. Some of the reasons listed included:
• Expensive cover charges
• High priced drinks
• Long lines
• Slow bar service
• Rude staff
Looking at these reasons for not frequenting clubs, it is clear to me that a significant part of the problem could be solved simply by starting a bottle service which also includes using bottle locks.
The bottle service is simply a group package offered by the nightclub that is purchased in advance by the client for a V.I.P. style evening out. It may be for a party of two or more and the package price is determined by the number of people in the group, the type of reserved seating desired and the number of top shelf spirits or wines purchased (usually one or two bottles). A waiter or waitress is assigned to the group for the evening and serves as the attendant to the group for the night, including serving beverages and mixing drinks. Bottles are served with bottle locks on them to prevent someone from walking off with the party’s drinks. Bottle locks can only be removed by the waiter or waitress with a special detachment key that can be carried on their person. From a customer service perspective, this helps resolve a lot of problems before they happen.
Expensive cover charges was the first complaint listed. What is the reason for a cover charge? Cover charges should be for special events or DJ’s, according to nightclub.com writer Marcus Colon in an October 21, 2014 article, When to Charge a Cover. “ “Cover charges can be tricky because if you charge too much you’ll turn away customers,” says Karla Ortiz, national accounts director at Wanttickets, one of the nation’s premier online ticketing services that works with some of the top nightclubs in the country.” Cover charges may add revenue, but if party goers find someplace with a lower cover fee, they may not return. Adding a bottle service will increase profit through the purchase price of a service and any additional liquor/wine purchases a party may make. Groups purchasing a service pay no cover and it would also allow the owner/manager to lower cover charges for all other patrons.
An additional point to consider with cover charges is that it may hinder how much a customer spends in the club. A modest cover fee may be fine, but owners should recognize that patrons may not spend as much on their drinks or food. It may also mean reduced tips for staff. A bottle service can have a tip built into the price so staff will still be compensated and the customer knows up front what they will be paying. A bottle server who is customer service oriented will unlock bottles and mix drinks for his or her group and make the experience one that will entice a party to return again.
With the decline in club attendance, it is important to find ways to grow your business, not just protect what you have. Lowering or eliminating cover charges and adding a bottle service with the benefits of bottle locks will bring the customers to your establishment time and time again.
Get more information on bottle service, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Is it possible that owning and operating a nightclub could become a losing proposition? According to an article on the website newtheory.com club patronage by millennials is on a decline. The article, “Bid Farewell: Why Millennials Are Abandoning Nightclubs”, posted October 12, 2015, contends that, “Nightclub and bar attendance has been on a steady decline for the past several years and counting.” The reason for the decline is blamed on millennials and millennials are those who fall into the age bracket between 21 and 38 and they cite this information from a report by research firm, GFK. The story lists a number of reasons given by respondents to an anonymous online survey for not attending clubs regularly. Some of the reasons listed included:
• Expensive cover charges
• High priced drinks
• Long lines
• Slow bar service
• Rude staff
Looking at these reasons for not frequenting clubs, it is clear to me that a significant part of the problem could be solved simply by starting a bottle service which also includes using bottle locks.
The bottle service is simply a group package offered by the nightclub that is purchased in advance by the client for a V.I.P. style evening out. It may be for a party of two or more and the package price is determined by the number of people in the group, the type of reserved seating desired and the number of top shelf spirits or wines purchased (usually one or two bottles). A waiter or waitress is assigned to the group for the evening and serves as the attendant to the group for the night, including serving beverages and mixing drinks. Bottles are served with bottle locks on them to prevent someone from walking off with the party’s drinks. Bottle locks can only be removed by the waiter or waitress with a special detachment key that can be carried on their person. From a customer service perspective, this helps resolve a lot of problems before they happen.
An expensive cover charges was the first complaint listed. What is the reason for a cover charge? Cover charges should be for special events or DJ’s, according to nightclub.com writer Marcus Colon in an October 21, 2014 article, When to Charge a Cover. “ “Cover charges can be tricky because if you charge too much you’ll turn away customers,” says Karla Ortiz, national accounts director at Wanttickets, one of the nation’s premier online ticketing services that works with some of the top nightclubs in the country.” Cover charges may add revenue, but if party goers find someplace with a lower cover fee, they may not return. Adding a bottle service will increase profit through the purchase price of a service and any additional liquor/wine purchases a party may make. Groups purchasing a service pay no cover and it would also allow the owner/manager to lower cover charges for all other patrons.
An additional point to consider with cover charges is that it may hinder how much a customer spends in the club. A modest cover fee may be fine, but owners should recognize that patrons may not spend as much on their drinks or food. It may also mean reduced tips for staff. A bottle service can have a tip built into the price so staff will still be compensated and the customer knows up front what they will be paying. A bottle server who is customer service oriented will unlock bottles and mix drinks for his or her group and make the experience one that will entice a party to return again.
With the decline in club attendance, it is important to find ways to grow your business, not just protect what you have. Lowering or eliminating cover charges and adding a bottle service with the benefits of bottle locks will bring the customers to your establishment time and time again.
Get more information on bottle service, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
