Prevent Shoplifting -3 WC Blog 801
Sensormatic Safers-3
Sensormatic Safers Prevent Petty Larceny Of Pocketable Products
The more I continue to work in retail the more it seems stores have to work harder to prevent shoplifting and theft. I have seen all kinds of things stolen and sometimes I still can’t believe the missing items I find while working on the salesfloor. I have found empty pen refill packages and one Sharpie marker out of a package of 5 missing from a package. I have even found an empty package for store brand tape! C’mon if you’re going to have sticky fingers do you really need store brand tape? Yes, there are all sorts of odd things that can go missing and working the salesfloor I find a lot of empty packages for these products. There are also items that are stolen and I never would have thought about them as high theft items until I found out how frequently crooks will try to return them for a cash refund. In the store where I work one such category of merchandise is label maker tape. Good grief some of these can be nearly $25 for a single tape package and a double tape pack can be almost $40. From my perspective as someone who was in Loss Prevention for about 14 years I look at these tapes and see how small the packages are. They can easily be picked up and placed in a pocket and you would never know it.
Items such as the label maker tapes are a popular because they present a small risk of being caught for a high reward. If you think about it placing a double pack in two jacket pockets and walking out of a store is a pretty easy $80 haul. A good shoplifter can get in and out of a store in less than five minutes with your merchandise. Sensormatic Safers are a solution to this problem and they work with a Sensormatic pedestals. Ah, I know you think you have me now. You have already addressed this possibility in your store policies. YOU don’t allow your store to take back no-receipt merchandise. Let me clue you in on something, your policy is not going to prevent shoplifting I can guarantee that. I have dealt with professional shoplifters and they are a step ahead of you. Since you won’t take back the stolen products then they are more than willing to take it to another business that sells the same product and will give a no-receipt cash refund or merchandise card. If it is a merchandise card they will sell that on the street. An $80 merchandise card can still pull in $20 – $40 in cash. Now you have me in a corner, you are the only store selling the tapes in your area so there is nowhere else to take them. Nice try, please let me refer you to the internet and online market places such as eBay. If that doesn’t convince you there is probably a flea market or mom and pop shop in your area you might want to visit.
On the bright side Sensormatic Safers are an affordable and effective method to stymie shoplifters who look for small pieces of merchandise to steal. Flexible Safers are sturdy, locking pouches that incorporate electronic article surveillance that makes it much easier for retailers to prevent shoplifting of those pocketable prizes. The best theft scenario for a shoplifter is to walk into a store with no merchandise protection, no Loss Prevention measures in place and poor customer service. This is the perfect hunting ground for a crooked customer. The addition of an anti-theft system and tags and labels is the first step in deterring criminal activity and reducing theft related shortage.
Remember, I started this article talking about theft that surprised me and has caught me off-guard to some extent. Not everything has to be protected no matter how silly it is to steal such as pen refills. For those items that SHOULD be protected such as label maker tape, ink jet printer cartridges and even batteries Sensormatic Safers are the perfect solution for your store. Pocketable products may be costing you more than pocket change, Sensormatic has the right solution for all the items you sell.
For more information on Sensormatic Safers contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
The more I continue to work in retail the more it seems stores have to work harder to prevent shoplifting and theft. I have seen all kinds of things stolen and sometimes I still can’t believe the missing items I find while working on the salesfloor. I have found empty pen refill packages and one Sharpie marker out of a package of 5 missing from a package. I have even found an empty package for store brand tape! C’mon if you’re going to have sticky fingers do you really need store brand tape? Yes, there are all sorts of odd things that can go missing and working the salesfloor I find a lot of empty packages for these products. There are also items that are stolen and I never would have thought about them as high theft items until I found out how frequently crooks will try to return them for a cash refund. In the store where I work one such category of merchandise is label maker tape. Good grief some of these can be nearly $25 for a single tape package and a double tape pack can be almost $40. From my perspective as someone who was in Loss Prevention for about 14 years I look at these tapes and see how small the packages are. They can easily be picked up and placed in a pocket and you would never know it.
Items such as the label maker tapes are a popular because they present a small risk of being caught for a high reward. If you think about it placing a double pack in two jacket pockets and walking out of a store is a pretty easy $80 haul. A good shoplifter can get in and out of a store in less than five minutes with your merchandise. Sensormatic Safers are a solution to this problem and they work with a Sensormatic pedestals. Ah, I know you think you have me now. You have already addressed this possibility in your store policies. YOU don’t allow your store to take back no-receipt merchandise. Let me clue you in on something, your policy is not going to prevent shoplifting I can guarantee that. I have dealt with professional shoplifters and they are a step ahead of you. Since you won’t take back the stolen products then they are more than willing to take it to another business that sells the same product and will give a no-receipt cash refund or merchandise card. If it is a merchandise card they will sell that on the street. An $80 merchandise card can still pull in $20 – $40 in cash. Now you have me in a corner, you are the only store selling the tapes in your area so there is nowhere else to take them. Nice try, please let me refer you to the internet and online market places such as eBay. If that doesn’t convince you there is probably a flea market or mom and pop shop in your area you might want to visit.
On the bright side Sensormatic Safers are an affordable and effective method to stymie shoplifters who look for small pieces of merchandise to steal. Flexible Safers are sturdy, locking pouches that incorporate electronic article surveillance that makes it much easier for retailers to prevent shoplifting of those pocketable prizes. The best theft scenario for a shoplifter is to walk into a store with no merchandise protection, no Loss Prevention measures in place and poor customer service. This is the perfect hunting ground for a crooked customer. The addition of an anti-theft system and tags and labels is the first step in deterring criminal activity and reducing theft related shortage.
Remember, I started this article talking about theft that surprised me and has caught me off-guard to some extent. Not everything has to be protected no matter how silly it is to steal such as pen refills. For those items that SHOULD be protected such as label maker tape, ink jet printer cartridges and even batteries Sensormatic Safers are the perfect solution for your store. Pocketable products may be costing you more than pocket change, Sensormatic has the right solution for all the items you sell.
For more information on Sensormatic Safers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
WC Blog 770
Clothing Security -3
Sensormatic Tags – 3
Are You Contributing To Dangerous Crimes When You Don’t Use Sensormatic Tags? Part 2
This two-part series on clothing security and the use of anti-theft tags stemmed from an article I viewed about a shoplifter fleeing from police and crashing her car. In the suspect’s vehicle were two televisions she had stolen from Walmart and a pair of stolen jeans. I mentioned that I did not know if the televisions had security devices on them but if the jeans came from the same store I was fairly certain no Sensormatic tags were used on them. My lead up was to the dangers shoplifters create to others when they lead police on high speed chases to get away for a theft crime. I am not pointing a finger at the police for the pursuit. I am suggesting that if store owners and management would tag ALL of their merchandise the number of these dangerous situations would decline…DRAMATICALLY. But being a person who is sometimes accused of making a point and then driving it into the ground, in this article I am going to discuss other dangers those retailers may be helping contribute to the problem.
In a February 9, 2019 news story from abc7ny.com “Alleged Victoria’s Secret shoplifter pepper sprays Long Island police”, a 29 year old woman is accused of trying to steal $1,000 worth of merchandise from Victoria’s Secret. During the investigation and arrest the suspect, “…began kicking, punching, biting and spitting at them.” The suspect also, “sprayed pepper spray at both officers.” The suspect was also charged with being in possession of burglary tools. In nbcphiladelphia.com, November23, 2018, the following story appeared, “Shoplifter Pepper-Sprays Worker Trying to Stop Her Police Say”. According to this story a suspected shoplifter was approached by an employee about merchandise she had concealed in a bag at a Macy’s store. When the employee confronted her she pepper sprayed him. Last, I came across this doozy of a story on ktla.com, Dec. 18. 2018, by Marissa Wenzke, “Target Employee Stabbed by Accused Shoplifter in Pasadena: Police”. In this instance, “A Target employee who confronted someone about allegedly shoplifting at a Pasadena store was stabbed in the leg by the accused thief…” All three of the stores in these news reports carry clothing. Whether that is what the shoplifters were trying to steal is unknown. I would feel confident guessing that was the case in at least the Victoria’s Secret Store and more likely than not in the Macy’s store. What I don’t know is if the merchandise that was being taken was protected with clothing security tags or any form of anti-theft device.
Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. recognizes the inherent dangers all shoplifters pose to employees and customers. That is why when they are consulting with clients on matters of shortage reduction and theft prevention one of the most important recommendations they make is that the client use Sensormatic tags and install Sensormatic towers. Shoplifters prefer not to go to stores where aggressive merchandise tagging takes place. They risk picking up merchandise that will cause an alarm and alert store employees. Anti-theft equipment is a deterrent and sends most criminals scurrying to stores where they won’t contend with alarms (or good customer service). Deter these crooks from entering your store and you keep everyone who works for you or shops in your business safer than they would be otherwise.
I would further argue, as I did in Part 1, that when stores do NOT use clothing security tags or other devices they are actually contributing to the increased danger their customers and employees face. I am not saying this is intentional as many small retailers are under the false assumption that they cannot afford a Sensormatic system. This is a false assumption and if you happen to be one of those retailers please visit LPSI’s ROI Calculator tab on their website to find out how affordable a system can be. Despite the reasons a retail loss prevention system may not be installed if it isn’t there the shoplifters know and I assure you that they are making you a target for their activity. That means you are helping to create a dangerous workplace.
Many shoplifters are violent as you have seen in just a few sample articles. There are many, many more such stories out there and I will share them in future articles. What I hope you realize is most dangerous shoplifting incidents can be avoided through the use of Sensormatic tags and systems and professional training (also provided by LPSI). People want to shop where they feel safe, are you doing all you can to help create that environment in your store?
For more information about Sensormatic tags contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
This two-part series on clothing security and the use of anti-theft tags stemmed from an article I viewed about a shoplifter fleeing from police and crashing her car. In the suspect’s vehicle were two televisions she had stolen from Walmart and a pair of stolen jeans. I mentioned that I did not know if the televisions had security devices on them but if the jeans came from the same store I was fairly certain no Sensormatic tags were used on them. My lead up was to the dangers shoplifters create to others when they lead police on high speed chases to get away for a theft crime. I am not pointing a finger at the police for the pursuit. I am suggesting that if store owners and management would tag ALL of their merchandise the number of these dangerous situations would decline…DRAMATICALLY. But being a person who is sometimes accused of making a point and then driving it into the ground, in this article I am going to discuss other dangers those retailers may be helping contribute to the problem.
In a February 9, 2019 news story from abc7ny.com “Alleged Victoria’s Secret shoplifter pepper sprays Long Island police”, a 29 year old woman is accused of trying to steal $1,000 worth of merchandise from Victoria’s Secret. During the investigation and arrest the suspect, “…began kicking, punching, biting and spitting at them.” The suspect also, “sprayed pepper spray at both officers.” The suspect was also charged with being in possession of burglary tools. In nbcphiladelphia.com, November23, 2018, the following story appeared, “Shoplifter Pepper-Sprays Worker Trying to Stop Her Police Say”. According to this story a suspected shoplifter was approached by an employee about merchandise she had concealed in a bag at a Macy’s store. When the employee confronted her she pepper sprayed him. Last, I came across this doozy of a story on ktla.com, Dec. 18. 2018, by Marissa Wenzke, “Target Employee Stabbed by Accused Shoplifter in Pasadena: Police”. In this instance, “A Target employee who confronted someone about allegedly shoplifting at a Pasadena store was stabbed in the leg by the accused thief…” All three of the stores in these news reports carry clothing. Whether that is what the shoplifters were trying to steal is unknown. I would feel confident guessing that was the case in at least the Victoria’s Secret Store and more likely than not in the Macy’s store. What I don’t know is if the merchandise that was being taken was protected with clothing security tags or any form of anti-theft device.
Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. recognizes the inherent dangers all shoplifters pose to employees and customers. That is why when they are consulting with clients on matters of shortage reduction and theft prevention one of the most important recommendations they make is that the client use Sensormatic tags and install Sensormatic towers. Shoplifters prefer not to go to stores where aggressive merchandise tagging takes place. They risk picking up merchandise that will cause an alarm and alert store employees. Anti-theft equipment is a deterrent and sends most criminals scurrying to stores where they won’t contend with alarms (or good customer service). Deter these crooks from entering your store and you keep everyone who works for you or shops in your business safer than they would be otherwise.
I would further argue, as I did in Part 1, that when stores do NOT use clothing security tags or other devices they are actually contributing to the increased danger their customers and employees face. I am not saying this is intentional as many small retailers are under the false assumption that they cannot afford a Sensormatic system. This is a false assumption and if you happen to be one of those retailers please visit LPSI’s ROI Calculator tab on their website to find out how affordable a system can be. Despite the reasons a retail loss prevention system may not be installed if it isn’t there the shoplifters know and I assure you that they are making you a target for their activity. That means you are helping to create a dangerous workplace.
Many shoplifters are violent as you have seen in just a few sample articles. There are many, many more such stories out there and I will share them in future articles. What I hope you realize is most dangerous shoplifting incidents can be avoided through the use of Sensormatic tags and systems and professional training (also provided by LPSI). People want to shop where they feel safe, are you doing all you can to help create that environment in your store?
For more information about Sensormatic tags contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
Background check company – 4 wc blog 764
Pre-employment screening -3
Applicant tracking Center-3
Employee Turnover Impacts Shortage – A Background Check Company Can Reduce Turnover Part 1
I believe store employee turnover has an impact on store inventory shortage results and I believe a background check company can reduce turnover. This reason I bring this up is a recent conversation I was having with my store manager. We were talking about the articles I write and he asked if I had ever written about this topic. He told me he is a firm believer that when a store has to hire frequently because workers leave that he thinks it can lead to an increase in employee theft. As long as I have been in retail Loss Prevention I have held the same belief. I told him I did think it was interesting that he brought this up since Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. (LPSI) has been actively helping retailers reduce theft through a series of initiatives they now offer. The conduct pre-employment screenings, drug testing and even make the hiring process easier with the Applicant Tracking Center. Yes, I have thought about it as a topic for articles but LPSI thought about it first and made a way for managers to improve the chances of reducing turnover and hiring workers who will help improve profits for the store.
I know there are many reasons people leave companies they work for be it for a better job opportunity or due to frustration with co-workers or poor management. Sometimes people leave their jobs because they are not truly suited to the position. There are also people who leave jobs because they have been stealing and are cutting out before they are caught. If the morale in a store is flagging that falls on the management team to put fixes in place to make the environment more pleasant. If the employees are leaving because they are not suited to the jobs they have been hired to work in then an Applicant Tracking Center may be just what your store needs. Loss Preventions Systems, Inc. (LPSI) can help you streamline your hiring processes by reducing paperwork, paper files and the time it takes to sort through tons of unqualified applications. At the same time they can help you hire better employees who are far less likely to steal or be potential liabilities. The same process can also aid you in reducing the chance of hiring someone who will cause morale issues. A pre-employment screening process can include a background check that can identify candidates with shady work, education or criminal histories. The drug testing can identify applicants who are engaged in the use of illegal drugs and could cause problems in the workplace.
LPSI’s Applicant tracking center can combine all of these functions into one stop and shop location. The center can be used to create application screening questions that can help you save time in sifting through countless job applications. Set questions that require a specific response to weed out applicants who don’t fit the criteria you seek, for example prior customer service experience, ability to operate office equipment or a certain level of education. You don’t have to interview every single person who applies for a job and you don’t have to comb through those applications if they can be screened before you have to start reviewing. Talk about a time saver!
Once you have your application pool narrowed down you want to know who it is you are strongly interested in. You can conduct your interviews and narrow those results further but you don’t want to make a final decision on a candidate without a bit more information. Interviews, resumes and applications can be deceitful. There are people out there who are really good at creating a false personal history and list of accomplishments. Some of them can even interview extremely well but that is all window dressing in many cases. A background check company can dig into a candidate’s history and find out what a candidate may not want you to know. If your store has high turnover and you haven’t been conducting pre-employment screenings you may be experiencing theft and not making the connection. Do your candidates have a criminal past? Have they hopped from job to job but were selective in their work history on their application? Maybe they hid that information for a reason. Find out BEFORE you hire a candidate what their background really contains.
In Part 2 we will continue the conversation about the way employee turnover impacts store shortage. It is important that you understand the value that a background check company can add to your business. Reduce your turnover and in turn reduce your risk of theft, fraud, safety concerns and reduction in team morale.
For more information about a background check company contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
I believe store employee turnover has an impact on store inventory shortage results and I believe a background check company can reduce turnover. This reason I bring this up is a recent conversation I was having with my store manager. We were talking about the articles I write and he asked if I had ever written about this topic. He told me he is a firm believer that when a store has to hire frequently because workers leave that he thinks it can lead to an increase in employee theft. As long as I have been in retail Loss Prevention I have held the same belief. I told him I did think it was interesting that he brought this up since Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. (LPSI) has been actively helping retailers reduce theft through a series of initiatives they now offer. The conduct pre-employment screenings, drug testing and even make the hiring process easier with the Applicant Tracking Center. Yes, I have thought about it as a topic for articles but LPSI thought about it first and made a way for managers to improve the chances of reducing turnover and hiring workers who will help improve profits for the store.
I know there are many reasons people leave companies they work for be it for a better job opportunity or due to frustration with co-workers or poor management. Sometimes people leave their jobs because they are not truly suited to the position. There are also people who leave jobs because they have been stealing and are cutting out before they are caught. If the morale in a store is flagging that falls on the management team to put fixes in place to make the environment more pleasant. If the employees are leaving because they are not suited to the jobs they have been hired to work in then an Applicant Tracking Center may be just what your store needs. Loss Preventions Systems, Inc. (LPSI) can help you streamline your hiring processes by reducing paperwork, paper files and the time it takes to sort through tons of unqualified applications. At the same time they can help you hire better employees who are far less likely to steal or be potential liabilities. The same process can also aid you in reducing the chance of hiring someone who will cause morale issues. A pre-employment screening process can include a background check that can identify candidates with shady work, education or criminal histories. The drug testing can identify applicants who are engaged in the use of illegal drugs and could cause problems in the workplace.
LPSI’s Applicant tracking center can combine all of these functions into one stop and shop location. The center can be used to create application screening questions that can help you save time in sifting through countless job applications. Set questions that require a specific response to weed out applicants who don’t fit the criteria you seek, for example prior customer service experience, ability to operate office equipment or a certain level of education. You don’t have to interview every single person who applies for a job and you don’t have to comb through those applications if they can be screened before you have to start reviewing. Talk about a time saver!
Once you have your application pool narrowed down you want to know who it is you are strongly interested in. You can conduct your interviews and narrow those results further but you don’t want to make a final decision on a candidate without a bit more information. Interviews, resumes and applications can be deceitful. There are people out there who are really good at creating a false personal history and list of accomplishments. Some of them can even interview extremely well but that is all window dressing in many cases. A background check company can dig into a candidate’s history and find out what a candidate may not want you to know. If your store has high turnover and you haven’t been conducting pre-employment screenings you may be experiencing theft and not making the connection. Do your candidates have a criminal past? Have they hopped from job to job but were selective in their work history on their application? Maybe they hid that information for a reason. Find out BEFORE you hire a candidate what their background really contains.
In Part 2 we will continue the conversation about the way employee turnover impacts store shortage. It is important that you understand the value that a background check company can add to your business. Reduce your turnover and in turn reduce your risk of theft, fraud, safety concerns and reduction in team morale.
For more information about a background check company, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
