RL-169
Clothing security-3, clothing security tags-3, wardrobing-3, Alpha Shark Tags-3
Adapting to Theft Trends – Clothing Security
Clothing can provide high profit margins, but it can also provide you with headaches if you don’t make sure you protect it from all forms of loss with a good clothing security plan. Traditional shoplifting isn’t the only way that you can lose your merchandise or profits. Thieves are constantly thinking of new ways to steal from you, so you have to keep up with the trends and safeguard your assets. Using clothing security tags and other merchandise protection devices can really make a difference in your bottom line.
Over the years, I’ve observed many clothing thefts taking place, and sometimes it’s only one or two items that are stolen at a time. Other times, its more than one person loading up shopping carts full of clothes and other merchandise and rolling it right out of the store. Can you imagine how much that would cost your business, or how many more items you will need to sell just to make up for the loss from a large theft of that kind. Needless to say, this is not something you want happening in your establishment. At very least, you should invest in a good EAS system that will work with all types of clothing security tags, like standard hard or soft tags, and even Alpha Shark Tags. Things have changed over time, and there are many methods that are being used today to steal or cause you a loss, but some of them are not typical shoplifting incidents.
One emerging trend that can put a real dent in your earnings is called Wardrobing, which is a form of return or refund fraud. This is a little more complicated than a shoplifter shoving a pair of pants in a bag and walking out of the store. Wardrobing occurs when someone buys an article of clothing, wears it, and then returns the merchandise. This is becoming a huge problem in retail clothing stores, because it is harder to combat that standard everyday shoplifting. How can you know who is intending on returning the clothing after they wear it? There is no real way to be able to tell, that’s why you need to have a strategy in place for all purchases, or at least for higher priced merchandise. Usually it’s the more expensive items that are targeted, because the sneaky thieves want to look good for a big event, and want to make you pay for it.
A good way to stop this kind of activity from happening in your store is to use Alpha Shark Tags. These are a type of clothing security tags that are attached directly to the clothing items. The big difference between Shark Tags and other clothing security devices is that you don’t remove them from the clothing at purchase. They are made to be left on the clothing so that the customer can try on the garment at home and see how they like the items. If they try it on and like it, all they have to do is easily remove the tag. It’s not meant to be hard to remove.
All you need is a pair of scissors. If they don’t like the garment, all they have to do is leave on the tag and return it. Alpha Shark Tags are an essential part of the fight to stop wardrobing. This is an especially good device for online purchases. The tags are noticeable and highly visible so that people won’t wear the garments out, damage them, and then return them to get their money back and leave you with a used item that no one will want to purchase.
For more information contact us: clothing security or call 1.770.426.0547
Clothing can provide high profit margins, but it can also provide you with headaches if you don’t make sure you protect it from all forms of loss with a good clothing security plan. Traditional shoplifting isn’t the only way that you can lose your merchandise or profits. Thieves are constantly thinking of new ways to steal from you, so you have to keep up with the trends and safeguard your assets. Using clothing security tags and other merchandise protection devices can really make a difference in your bottom line.
Over the years, I’ve observed many clothing thefts taking place, and sometimes it’s only one or two items that are stolen at a time. Other times, its more than one person loading up shopping carts full of clothes and other merchandise and rolling it right out of the store. Can you imagine how much that would cost your business, or how many more items you will need to sell just to make up for the loss from a large theft of that kind. Needless to say, this is not something you want happening in your establishment. At very least, you should invest in a good EAS system that will work with all types of clothing security tags, like standard hard or soft tags, and even Alpha shark tags. Things have changed over time, and there are many methods that are being used today to steal or cause you a loss, but some of them are not typical shoplifting incidents.
One emerging trend that can put a real dent in your earnings is called wardrobing, which is a form of return or refund fraud. This is a little more complicated than a shoplifter shoving a pair of pants in a bag and walking out of the store. Wardrobing occurs when someone buys an article of clothing, wears it, and then returns the merchandise. This is becoming a huge problem in retail clothing stores, because it is harder to combat that standard everyday shoplifting. How can you know who is intending on returning the clothing after they wear it? There is no real way to be able to tell, that’s why you need to have a strategy in place for all purchases, or at least for higher priced merchandise. Usually it’s the more expensive items that are targeted, because the sneaky thieves want to look good for a big event, and want to make you pay for it.
A good way to stop this kind of activity from happening in your store is to use Alpha shark tags. These are a type of clothing security tags that are attached directly to the clothing items. The big difference between Shark Tags and other clothing security devices is that you don’t remove them from the clothing at purchase. They are made to be left on the clothing so that the customer can try on the garment at home and see how they like the items. If they try it on and like it, all they have to do is easily remove the tag. It’s not meant to be hard to remove.
All you need is a pair of scissors. If they don’t like the garment, all they have to do is leave on the tag and return it. Alpha shark tags are an essential part of the fight to stop wardrobing. This is an especially good device for online purchases. The tags are noticeable and highly visible so that people won’t wear the garments out, damage them, and then return them to get their money back and leave you with a used item that no one will want to purchase.
For more information contact us: clothing security or call 1.770.426.0547
There was a recent court ruling regarding employer vs. employee rights surrounding end of shift security training/ checks. It has been an ongoing battle between employers and employees as to who needs to pay for the time an employee spends having their bags checked as they leave the store. This could be a check at the end of an employees work shift, or as they leave the store for meal breaks.
Employees have long since contended that since they are required by their employer to have their bags (packages, purchases, etc) checked before they leave the store, then it is the employer’s responsibility to pay them for that time.
Employers, generally state that the check should take a very minimal quantity of time (often less than a minute to perform) under normal circumstances. They also maintain that if an employee is leaving the store with unpaid for merchandise in their possession, and they are no longer working/ clocked in, there is a stronger case against the employee for employee theft. If an employee is still clocked in, they could potentially state they have the product for a work related situation. It could then be argued that the employee is merely violating policy and procedure, but has no intent of theft.
The courts have now ruled with the employers that they do have a right to hold these security stops while the employee is off the clock. Employees will have to comply with these checks without being paid for their time.
Employers will now have official court rulings in their favor. This does not mean that employers can abuse this ruling and make employees wait for extended periods of time (off the clock) before they are checked out. Maintaining a certain level of respect for the employees will make for longer-term retail theft prevention.
Employees, who know they are being held accountable for their actions, and are shown that theft prevention is taken very seriously by management and owners, are less likely to steal. They are also more likely to remain vigilant about other employee theft situations, and are quicker to point out potential shoplifters. As we all know, vigilant employees who give excellent customer service are by far the most effective and valuable anti shoplifting deterrent available.
The best way to create a positive workplace for employees, who will be subjected to security check after the employee is off the clock, is to ensure that the expectation is clear from the literal Day One. This means during new hire on boarding programs the security checks should be explained in detail. These details should include what the employer’s role will be, what their limitations are, why they are doing this, and what the employee’s role will be.
By first explaining what the expectation is, employees are well aware of what their new job will be like. Next is ensuring that the checks are performed consistently and professionally. If the checks are sporadic, employees may feel like they are being targeted. They will also feel inconvenienced if they are only occasionally asked to stop, compared to feeling like it is all part of the routine if done consistently on every shift.
Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Anti-Shoplifting devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems to stop shoplifting in your store.
For more information on Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint Labels, a Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint Tags and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at Retail theft prevention to Stop Shoplifting in your store or call 1.770.426.0547
There was a recent court ruling regarding employer vs. employee rights surrounding end of shift security training/ checks. It has been an ongoing battle between employers and employees as to who needs to pay for the time an employee spends having their bags checked as they leave the store. This could be a check at the end of an employees work shift, or as they leave the store for meal breaks.
Employees have long since contended that since they are required by their employer to have their bags (packages, purchases, etc) checked before they leave the store, then it is the employer’s responsibility to pay them for that time.
Employers, generally state that the check should take a very minimal quantity of time (often less than a minute to perform) under normal circumstances. They also maintain that if an employee is leaving the store with unpaid for merchandise in their possession, and they are no longer working/ clocked in, there is a stronger case against the employee for employee theft. If an employee is still clocked in, they could potentially state they have the product for a work related situation. It could then be argued that the employee is merely violating policy and procedure, but has no intent of theft.
The courts have now ruled with the employers that they do have a right to hold these security stops while the employee is off the clock. Employees will have to comply with these checks without being paid for their time.
Employers will now have official court rulings in their favor. This does not mean that employers can abuse this ruling and make employees wait for extended periods of time (off the clock) before they are checked out. Maintaining a certain level of respect for the employees will make for longer-term retail theft prevention.
Employees, who know they are being held accountable for their actions, and are shown that theft prevention is taken very seriously by management and owners, are less likely to steal. They are also more likely to remain vigilant about other employee theft situations, and are quicker to point out potential shoplifters. As we all know, vigilant employees who give excellent customer service are by far the most effective and valuable anti shoplifting deterrent available.
The best way to create a positive workplace for employees, who will be subjected to security check after the employee is off the clock, is to ensure that the expectation is clear from the literal Day One. This means during new hire on boarding programs the security checks should be explained in detail. These details should include what the employer’s role will be, what their limitations are, why they are doing this, and what the employee’s role will be.
By first explaining what the expectation is, employees are well aware of what their new job will be like. Next is ensuring that the checks are performed consistently and professionally. If the checks are sporadic, employees may feel like they are being targeted. They will also feel inconvenienced if they are only occasionally asked to stop, compared to feeling like it is all part of the routine if done consistently on every shift.
Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Anti-Shoplifting devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems to stop shoplifting in your store.
For more information on Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint Labels, a Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint Tags and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at Retail theft prevention to Stop Shoplifting in your store or call 1.770.426.0547
RWH Blog 03
Target Hardening through Retail Anti-Theft Devices
When your inventory of DVDs on the sales floor comes up short, where do you think they went? Often you come to the conclusion they must have been shoplifted. The same can be said for your CD sales or your games for your console game system, but especially for your razor blades, fragrances and other small, easily concealable high shrink products. That does not have to be the case however. There are numerous retail anti-theft devices that can help ensure that shoplifting is the last shrink category upon which you attribute inventory losses. Let’s take advantage of technology and “target harden” our merchandise through such items as Alpha keepers for one!
Shoplifters are basically lazy and do not want to work too hard to get your merchandise into their hands and out the doors. It then may come back as returned merchandise to you so you can pay for it twice or you may see your merchandise alongside used stereos and knock off purses and watches on Craig’s List or EBay. Shoplifters are also fearful of apprehension and being noticed so noise, lights, and displays they have to “fight” with make them think that there are much softer targets out there they should visit rather than spending the time and risking getting caught in your store – if you are using retail anti-theft devices.
This author is intimately familiar with such devices as they were used in companies I had the pleasure with being associated. It gives a loss prevention manager and thus a retail store manager a great deal of peace-of-mind when he sees his high theft movie DVDs protected with such hardened keepers as the Protect DVD or Protect CD. These products roll bells, lights, and whistles all into retail anti-theft devices that make the shoplifter think that he should just wear a sign saying “please arrest me.” You see, these Alpha keepers are hardened polycarbonate cases with a magnetic lock that are transparent so your product is still plainly visible, including the bar code, to your customer. They have their own built in electronic article sensor (EAS) tag as well as some other surprises for a would-be thief, including a tamper alarm if the thief tries to open the case without the special magnetic key and a built in alarm that will go off after the item leaves your store with or without an EAS system in place. They also have lights that blink on and off as a visual deterrent but pose no unnecessary delay for your cashier in getting the device off and getting your customer checked-out. They can also still be hung on a hanger without difficulty.
One wishes he had a digital movie camera in hand when the would-be thief, unfamiliar with retail anti-theft devices, tries to open a Protect DVD or Protect CD in the store to get to the merchandise and conceal it and the alarm goes off, forcing him to try to muffle it with his hand or stick it down his pants so it does not make so much noise and draw so much attention – too late. You then need a close-up zoom feature for that look when you tell him that tampering with retail anti-theft devices in your state is a felony and constitutes shoplifting in itself.
Wrapping this up … target hardening will help a retailer sleep better at night, knowing that his high-theft merchandise is where it needs to be: either in the paying customer’s possession or in the store in a Protect DVD or Protect CD waiting for the paying customer. It will also send the aspiring shoplifter down the street to your competitor for fear of you featuring him on America’s Funniest Home Videos!
For more information on Alpha Keeprs contact us: 1.770.426.0547.
When your inventory of DVDs on the sales floor comes up short, where do you think they went? Often you come to the conclusion they must have been shoplifted. The same can be said for your CD sales or your games for your console game system, but especially for your razor blades, fragrances and other small, easily concealable high shrink products. That does not have to be the case however. There are numerous retail anti-theft devices that can help ensure that shoplifting is the last shrink category upon which you attribute inventory losses. Let’s take advantage of technology and “target harden” our merchandise through such items as Alpha keepers for one!
Shoplifters are basically lazy and do not want to work too hard to get your merchandise into their hands and out the doors. It then may come back as returned merchandise to you so you can pay for it twice or you may see your merchandise alongside used stereos and knock off purses and watches on Craig’s List or EBay. Shoplifters are also fearful of apprehension and being noticed so noise, lights, and displays they have to “fight” with make them think that there are much softer targets out there they should visit rather than spending the time and risking getting caught in your store – if you are using retail anti-theft devices.
This author is intimately familiar with such devices as they were used in companies I had the pleasure with being associated. It gives a loss prevention manager and thus a retail store manager a great deal of peace-of-mind when he sees his high theft movie DVDs protected with such hardened keepers as the Protect DVD or Protect CD. These products roll bells, lights, and whistles all into retail anti-theft devices that make the shoplifter think that he should just wear a sign saying “please arrest me.” You see, these Alpha keepers are hardened polycarbonate cases with a magnetic lock that are transparent so your product is still plainly visible, including the bar code, to your customer. They have their own built in electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag as well as some other surprises for a would-be thief, including a tamper alarm if the thief tries to open the case without the special magnetic key and a built in alarm that will go off after the item leaves your store with or without an EAS system in place. They also have lights that blink on and off as a visual deterrent but pose no unnecessary delay for your cashier in getting the device off and getting your customer checked-out. They can also still be hung on a hanger without difficulty.
One wishes he had a digital movie camera in hand when the would-be thief, unfamiliar with retail anti-theft devices, tries to open a Protect DVD or Protect CD in the store to get to the merchandise and conceal it and the alarm goes off, forcing him to try to muffle it with his hand or stick it down his pants so it does not make so much noise and draw so much attention – too late. You then need a close-up zoom feature for that look when you tell him that tampering with retail anti-theft devices in your state is a felony and constitutes shoplifting in itself.
Wrapping this up … target hardening will help a retailer sleep better at night, knowing that his high-theft merchandise is where it needs to be: either in the paying customer’s possession or in the store in a Protect DVD or Protect CD waiting for the paying customer. It will also send the aspiring shoplifter down the street to your competitor for fear of you featuring him on America’s Funniest Home Videos!
For more information on Alpha Keepers contact us: 1.770.426.0547.
