Clothing Security -5 WC blog 485
Checkpoint Tags-4
Using Checkpoint Tags Can Reduce The Threat From ORC Groups
Clothing security should always be a concern for retailers who sell this type of merchandise. But having recently read an article in a trade publication about the rise of Organized Retail Crime (ORC) I am concerned that theft is not as much of a focus as it should be. In a recent article in LPM Insider titled “2017 Survey Reveals Organized Retail Crime’s Top Stolen Items”, by Jac Brittain, LPC, November 20, 2017, the author points out three disturbing facts. First, “According to the 2017 study, organized retail crime is again on the rise.” Second, “Resources (to fight ORC) are down as other areas of the business are demanding greater attention by retail executives.” And third, three of the top stolen products according to the survey are designer clothing, jeans and purses out of eleven named products types. http://losspreventionmedia.com/insider/shoplifting-organized-retail-crime/2017-survey-reveals-organized-retail-crimes-top-stolen-items/ I am left to wonder if the resources used to fight Organized Retail Theft are limited to a reduction in personnel or if it includes the use of Checkpoint tags. One clarification I want to make for readers who do not know what ORC Groups are. Organized Retail Crime groups are comprised of professional thieves who use a structured team to steal from retailers and they then resell those products. These organizations may even open legitimate looking stores as a front for moving stolen products.
If the reduction of resources includes Checkpoint Tags I am then forced to ask the question, “Why?” When it comes to clothing security these simple tags make a world of difference. They are large enough to be easily seen by criminals who know what they are and what they do. Shoplifters who choose to take a stab at trying to remove a tag forcefully usually rip and tear merchandise and render it useless. Then there are the thieves who are willing to try to steal and sneak tagged merchandise past electronic article surveillance pedestals. This leads to the pedestals alarms and lights sounding and flashing which, in turn, results in employees answering the alarm and getting the merchandise back. Occasionally the recovery is from a receipt check and other times it is due to the thief being scared and dropping the items in an effort to avoid prosecution or capture. All of this is in addition to the fact that the tags are reusable. Unlike a throw away device the Checkpoint tags are designed to be used over and over again with the same outstanding performance. There is no reason to reduce the use of this clothing security device since there is rarely a need for adding too many at one time to your inventory. That is unless you are adding more products to your sales floor because you are increasing your sales.
Back to the first concern the author raised, that Organized Retail Crime is on the rise again, I am not sure what is driving this. Is it a matter of criminals realizing that resources are not being dedicated to clothing security or retail loss prevention? Do they understand that many brick and mortar retail establishments are struggling to keep their doors open and trying to allocate the resources and time to do that? I am not advocating unlimited resources to stop theft that would be unrealistic. I recognize that sometimes there has to be some assessment of the business to ensure fiscal stability. What I DO think can happen is a strategic allocation of people based on the use of door counting systems and the tagging of all merchandise to deter theft. Rather than reducing the number of sku’s being tagged to prevent theft I say tag more.
The next two points in the article was the breakdown of what is primarily chosen by ORC groups and that included three clothing categories. ORC groups are targeting clothing and if the resource being reduced includes clothing security tags I don’t understand the reasoning. Tagging products is proven to reduce theft. Stores only need to maintain their Checkpoint electronic article surveillance tower and devote some payroll to keep products tagged. The return on investment is the increase in sales due to having merchandise in stock. It is also the savings the store has in the merchandise that stays in the store and doesn’t get stolen. How much focus on other operational issues do stores need to improve sales when the ability to save money is right under their noses?
A rise in ORC doesn’t have to scare you. Use Checkpoint tags on ALL of the clothes and clothing accessories you sell in the store. Tagging products and ensuring proper staffing to tag, provide customer service and respond to electronic article surveillance alarms will drive up sales.
For more information about Checkpoint tags contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
Clothing security should always be a concern for retailers who sell this type of merchandise. But having recently read an article in a trade publication about the rise of Organized Retail Crime (ORC) I am concerned that theft is not as much of a focus as it should be. In a recent article in LPM Insider titled “2017 Survey Reveals Organized Retail Crime’s Top Stolen Items”, by Jac Brittain, LPC, November 20, 2017, the author points out three disturbing facts. First, “According to the 2017 study, organized retail crime is again on the rise.” Second, “Resources (to fight ORC) are down as other areas of the business are demanding greater attention by retail executives.” And third, three of the top stolen products according to the survey are designer clothing, jeans and purses out of eleven named products types. http://losspreventionmedia.com/insider/shoplifting-organized-retail-crime/2017-survey-reveals-organized-retail-crimes-top-stolen-items/ I am left to wonder if the resources used to fight Organized Retail Theft are limited to a reduction in personnel or if it includes the use of Checkpoint tags. One clarification I want to make for readers who do not know what ORC Groups are. Organized Retail Crime groups are comprised of professional thieves who use a structured team to steal from retailers and they then resell those products. These organizations may even open legitimate looking stores as a front for moving stolen products.
If the reduction of resources includes Checkpoint Tags I am then forced to ask the question, “Why?” When it comes to clothing security these simple tags make a world of difference. They are large enough to be easily seen by criminals who know what they are and what they do. Shoplifters who choose to take a stab at trying to remove a tag forcefully usually rip and tear merchandise and render it useless. Then there are the thieves who are willing to try to steal and sneak tagged merchandise past electronic article surveillance pedestals. This leads to the pedestals alarms and lights sounding and flashing which, in turn, results in employees answering the alarm and getting the merchandise back. Occasionally the recovery is from a receipt check and other times it is due to the thief being scared and dropping the items in an effort to avoid prosecution or capture. All of this is in addition to the fact that the tags are reusable. Unlike a throw away device the Checkpoint tags are designed to be used over and over again with the same outstanding performance. There is no reason to reduce the use of this clothing security device since there is rarely a need for adding too many at one time to your inventory. That is unless you are adding more products to your sales floor because you are increasing your sales.
Back to the first concern the author raised, that Organized Retail Crime is on the rise again, I am not sure what is driving this. Is it a matter of criminals realizing that resources are not being dedicated to clothing security or retail loss prevention? Do they understand that many brick and mortar retail establishments are struggling to keep their doors open and trying to allocate the resources and time to do that? I am not advocating unlimited resources to stop theft that would be unrealistic. I recognize that sometimes there has to be some assessment of the business to ensure fiscal stability. What I DO think can happen is a strategic allocation of people based on the use of door counting systems and the tagging of all merchandise to deter theft. Rather than reducing the number of sku’s being tagged to prevent theft I say tag more.
The next two points in the article was the breakdown of what is primarily chosen by ORC groups and that included three clothing categories. ORC groups are targeting clothing and if the resource being reduced includes clothing security tags I don’t understand the reasoning. Tagging products is proven to reduce theft. Stores only need to maintain their Checkpoint electronic article surveillance tower and devote some payroll to keep products tagged. The return on investment is the increase in sales due to having merchandise in stock. It is also the savings the store has in the merchandise that stays in the store and doesn’t get stolen. How much focus on other operational issues do stores need to improve sales when the ability to save money is right under their noses?
A rise in ORC doesn’t have to scare you. Use Checkpoint tags on ALL of the clothes and clothing accessories you sell in the store. Tagging products and ensuring proper staffing to tag, provide customer service and respond to electronic article surveillance alarms will drive up sales.
For more information about Checkpoint tags contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
Loss Prevention Pays For Itself – How Fast? – 3 WC Blog 369
Loss Prevention ROI Calculator -3
Investing In Something Now Can Pay Off Big Later; Loss Prevention Pays For Itself – How Fast? An ROI Calculator Can Show You
I came across something I found very interesting while Googling around the internet. An article in The Simple Dollar, “12 Items That Pay For Themselves Tenfold Or More”, by Holly Johnson, 5/28/15, lists 12 household items that save consumers money over time. Her list includes:
1. Slow Cooker or crockpot
2. Coffee Maker
3. LED Light Bulbs
4. Clothesline
5. Netflix; Roku Box and HDTV Antenna
6. Programmable Thermostat
7. Commuter Bike
8. Brita Water Pitcher
9. Dryer Balls
10. Home Gym
11. Cloth Diapers
12. Cloth Napkins
Her article explains how each item can save money for the user and estimates how much you can save. In some cases she mentions how the purchase not only saves money but also provides other benefits like using a water pitcher system saves the purchase of bottles of water but also saves plastic bottles from going to the landfill. For retailers I would add that Loss Prevention pays for itself – how fast? The answer may surprise you.
Loss Prevention pays for itself – how fast? You may also be wondering if that’s even possible. Let me assure you, it is possible and it could be faster than you would imagine. Let me start by asking my own question, how much is theft costing your store each year? Are you losing 1%? Maybe you are losing 2% or more? Do you even have any idea? According to the 2014/2015 Global Retail Theft Barometer (GRBT) for retail stores in North America the cost of retail theft/crime as a percent of total sales in 2014-2015 stood at 1.98% (pg. 59)! How much of your profit would that amount to? Now, consider what the benefit would be to you if you could cut that number by almost half (or potentially more than that) each year. By investing in a Loss Prevention system from Checkpoint you could significantly cut your annual shrink. Over time the savings would pay for the system and afterwards you would enjoy the benefit in the form of increased profits. The Loss Prevention ROI Calculator can be used to show you how long it would take for your investment in a Checkpoint System to pay for itself. Oh, did I mention that the use of the Loss Prevention ROI Calculator is a FREE tool with no obligations and no logins required that would trigger a lot of unrequested solicitations? Plug in some numbers and see the results. If you find you do like the results, a link is provided to request more information but it is up to the user to seek this information.
I mentioned that the writer of the article pointed out how the items she listed pay for themselves and some had added benefits such as reducing energy use, keeping less material from filling landfills, etc. Adding a Checkpoint system to your store not only benefits your bottom line it also benefits the planet. Checkpoint Hard Tags are reusable. There is also remote maintenance that can take place saving unnecessary trips to stores by technicians. Having personal experience using EAS hard tags I can verify the claims that the tags can be used over and over again. I have collected the tags that were removed at the point of sale and taken them to the loading dock for reapplication. My point is you can not only recognize how you are helping the environment, you can also use this as a means of reaching your customers who may be concerned with environmental issues. Advertise it on your social media pages.
Loss Prevention pays for itself – how fast? The question is a good one. The free Loss Prevention ROI calculator can give you that information. LED light bulbs use electricity and save money, paying for themselves over time. Clothesline allows the drying of clothes without using any electricity so a $6.00 investment pays for itself in a very brief period of time by not having to run the dryer. Give it a shot see how quickly an investment in Loss Prevention can save you money and begin paying you back in reduced shortage.
Need information on the ROI calculator? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
I came across something I found very interesting while Googling around the internet. An article in The Simple Dollar, “12 Items That Pay For Themselves Tenfold Or More”, by Holly Johnson, 5/28/15, lists 12 household items that save consumers money over time. Her list includes:
1. Slow Cooker or crockpot
2. Coffee Maker
3. LED Light Bulbs
4. Clothesline
5. Netflix; Roku Box and HDTV Antenna
6. Programmable Thermostat
7. Commuter Bike
8. Brita Water Pitcher
9. Dryer Balls
10. Home Gym
11. Cloth Diapers
12. Cloth Napkins
Her article explains how each item can save money for the user and estimates how much you can save. In some cases she mentions how the purchase not only saves money but also provides other benefits like using a water pitcher system saves the purchase of bottles of water but also saves plastic bottles from going to the landfill. For retailers I would add that Loss Prevention pays for itself – how fast? The answer may surprise you.
Loss Prevention pays for itself – how fast? You may also be wondering if that’s even possible. Let me assure you, it is possible and it could be faster than you would imagine. Let me start by asking my own question, how much is theft costing your store each year? Are you losing 1%? Maybe you are losing 2% or more? Do you even have any idea? According to the 2014/2015 Global Retail Theft Barometer (GRBT) for retail stores in North America the cost of retail theft/crime as a percent of total sales in 2014-2015 stood at 1.98% (pg. 59)! How much of your profit would that amount to? Now, consider what the benefit would be to you if you could cut that number by almost half (or potentially more than that) each year. By investing in a Loss Prevention system from Checkpoint you could significantly cut your annual shrink. Over time the savings would pay for the system and afterwards you would enjoy the benefit in the form of increased profits. The Loss Prevention ROI Calculator can be used to show you how long it would take for your investment in a Checkpoint System to pay for itself. Oh, did I mention that the use of the Loss Prevention ROI Calculator is a FREE tool with no obligations and no logins required that would trigger a lot of unrequested solicitations? Plug in some numbers and see the results. If you find you do like the results, a link is provided to request more information but it is up to the user to seek this information.
I mentioned that the writer of the article pointed out how the items she listed pay for themselves and some had added benefits such as reducing energy use, keeping less material from filling landfills, etc. Adding a Checkpoint system to your store not only benefits your bottom line it also benefits the planet. Checkpoint Hard Tags are reusable. There is also remote maintenance that can take place saving unnecessary trips to stores by technicians. Having personal experience using EAS hard tags I can verify the claims that the tags can be used over and over again. I have collected the tags that were removed at the point of sale and taken them to the loading dock for reapplication. My point is you can not only recognize how you are helping the environment, you can also use this as a means of reaching your customers who may be concerned with environmental issues. Advertise it on your social media pages.
Loss Prevention pays for itself – how fast? The question is a good one. The free Loss Prevention ROI calculator can give you that information. LED light bulbs use electricity and save money, paying for themselves over time. Clothesline allows the drying of clothes without using any electricity so a $6.00 investment pays for itself in a very brief period of time by not having to run the dryer. Give it a shot see how quickly an investment in Loss Prevention can save you money and begin paying you back in reduced shortage.
Need information on the ROI calculator? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
10 OF THE BEST USES FOR ALPHA SPIDER WRAPS
Here’s my conclusion for the 10 best uses for the Alpha Spider Wrap that I can think of. While my list is certainly not all-inclusive, I think it represents a good cross-section of the retail industry. Some of you reading may not carry every single item that I have listed, but instead of taking this line by line, perhaps think of the often-overlooked items in your store that could use a little theft prevention love.
Electric Razors / Trimmers
As a guy with a beard, I know just how expensive a good trimmer can be. I’d love to pay half that price, and that’s exactly what boosters rely on. As long as there are people who want to pay less than retail for an expensive item, there will be a market to steal it. Most come in a box-shaped package, making them perfect shape for an Alpha Spider Wrap.
Game / Trail cameras
If you’re a hunter, you know how pricey a good trail camera can be. As a merchant, you have to Prevent Shoplifting in this category, as the losses can quickly add up. These cameras can either be re-sold on online marketplaces, or even worse, can be fraudulently returned back to you and the thief can get a great gift card on your dime.
Activity trackers
These are the hot product this year, and sales for these items have really taken off in my stores. Think Up, or Fitbit. Due to the high sales volume these tend to have, it’s difficult to keep them under lock and key, but the price-points are high enough to warrant some additional security. The Alpha Spider Wrap is the perfect tool to use, since packages are mostly uniformly shaped.
Cookware
Bet you never thought about pots and pan, did ya’? I recently went out with my girlfriend to purchase some new pots, and holy cow! There were some cookware sets that were nearly $500! I couldn’t believe that. For that price, they better cook my food for me. Bottom line, you need to Prevent Shoplifting of these items, and an Alpha Spider Wrap is the way to do it.
Drones
Drones are another one of those items that have just exploded in sales recently. Funny how 5 years ago, no one was thinking about how to Prevent Shoplifting of a drone. Personally, I own a higher end model, but you can get a basic drone for a few bucks and just about any retail store. I mean, they’re easy to fly, cameras get better each month and they’re just plain fun. They’re also a strong target for thieves, since you can resell them basically anywhere and make a quick buck.
Get more information on Alpha Spider Wrap, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Here’s my conclusion for the 10 best uses for the Alpha Spider Wrap that I can think of. While my list is certainly not all-inclusive, I think it represents a good cross-section of the retail industry. Some of you reading may not carry every single item that I have listed, but instead of taking this line by line, perhaps think of the often-overlooked items in your store that could use a little theft prevention love.
Electric Razors / Trimmers
As a guy with a beard, I know just how expensive a good trimmer can be. I’d love to pay half that price, and that’s exactly what boosters rely on. As long as there are people who want to pay less than retail for an expensive item, there will be a market to steal it. Most come in a box-shaped package, making them perfect shape for an Alpha Spider Wrap.
Game / Trail Cameras
If you’re a hunter, you know how pricey a good trail camera can be. As a merchant, you have to Prevent Shoplifting in this category, as the losses can quickly add up. These cameras can either be re-sold on online marketplaces, or even worse, can be fraudulently returned back to you and the thief can get a great gift card on your dime.
Activity trackers
These are the hot product this year, and sales for these items have really taken off in my stores. Think Up, or Fitbit. Due to the high sales volume these tend to have, it’s difficult to keep them under lock and key, but the price-points are high enough to warrant some additional security. The Alpha Spider Wrap is the perfect tool to use, since packages are mostly uniformly shaped.
Cookware
Bet you never thought about pots and pan, did ya’? I recently went out with my girlfriend to purchase some new pots, and holy cow! There were some cookware sets that were nearly $500! I couldn’t believe that. For that price, they better cook my food for me. Bottom line, you need to Prevent Shoplifting of these items, and an Alpha Spider Wrap is the way to do it.
Drones
Drones are another one of those items that have just exploded in sales recently. Funny how 5 years ago, no one was thinking about how to Prevent Shoplifting of a drone. Personally, I own a higher end model, but you can get a basic drone for a few bucks and just about any retail store. I mean, they’re easy to fly, cameras get better each month and they’re just plain fun. They’re also a strong target for thieves, since you can resell them basically anywhere and make a quick buck.
Get more information on Alpha Spider Wrap, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
