Understanding how shoplifter behavior differs from the actions of a typical, paying customer is key to spotting a shoplifter while they are trying to steal. This allows you the time you need to catch them in the act. Store employees, however, are not the only ones who are looking to see what is different.
Shoplifters are also on the lookout for merchandise that looks the same. More experienced and career shoplifters benefit only when they can resell the merchandise somehow. It can be through an internet site, in flea markets, or directly to a potential buyer. In all of these situations, the key to reselling these items is that the merchandise needs to be identical with no alternate identifiers.
Some of these identifiers could be parts of a packaging that is torn or scuffed from where a Checkpoint label was torn off. Other identifiers could be a store tag or label indicating where the product came from. Some stores create anti shoplifting labels that indicate the product comes from store “X” and should be returned if found for resale somewhere.
Some retailers have been creative in their retail theft prevention by taking a black marker and writing their store number next to a barcode. It is another identifier that detracts shoplifters from stealing those products in an attempt to resell them. The store number can also act as an identifier for law enforcement if they were to find the merchandise connected to a shoplifting case or a more organized retail theft ring.
When merchandise is clearly notated with some tag, label or other form of marking, it is harder for a thief to resell the item. It is not uncommon for stolen merchandise to end up in the hands of honest customers. These buyers may or may not legitimately realize that the merchandise has been previously shoplifted. If the product looks clean, new, unblemished and still in its original packaging why would a buyer think anything of it?
Thieves who resell on legitimate websites, at flea markets, or pose as suppliers to small businesses that are looking for a cheaper form of distribution, rely on the consistency of “their” product to fool the honest buyer. When they have the ability to widen their sales market to include honest buyers and businesses (instead of just selling to other criminals) there is a greater chance that they will be able to make money. They can increase their sales of this stolen merchandise; creating more profit for themselves and their crime ring.
Since the honest buyer will be less likely to buy blemished items, or items that have evidence that they were stolen, it is critical for the shoplifters to spot merchandise that has been tagged prior to it being stolen. This helps them to retain their market share, as it were.
Marking your high theft inventory through a label, or a written on store number can help to reduce the shoplifting losses. By clearly notating that this merchandise is the property of your store, you reduce a shoplifters attraction to your merchandise.
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
Understanding how shoplifter behavior differs from the actions of a typical, paying customer is key to spotting a shoplifter while they are trying to steal. This allows you the time you need to catch them in the act. Store employees, however, are not the only ones who are looking to see what is different.
Shoplifters are also on the lookout for merchandise that looks the same. More experienced and career shoplifters benefit only when they can resell the merchandise somehow. It can be through an internet site, in flea markets, or directly to a potential buyer. In all of these situations, the key to reselling these items is that the merchandise needs to be identical with no alternate identifiers.
Some of these identifiers could be parts of a packaging that is torn or scuffed from where a Checkpoint label was torn off. Other identifiers could be a store tag or label indicating where the product came from. Some stores create anti shoplifting labels that indicate the product comes from store “X” and should be returned if found for resale somewhere.
Some retailers have been creative in their retail theft prevention by taking a black marker and writing their store number next to a barcode. It is another identifier that detracts shoplifters from stealing those products in an attempt to resell them. The store number can also act as an identifier for law enforcement if they were to find the merchandise connected to a shoplifting case or a more organized retail theft ring.
When merchandise is clearly notated with some tag, label or other form of marking, it is harder for a thief to resell the item. It is not uncommon for stolen merchandise to end up in the hands of honest customers. These buyers may or may not legitimately realize that the merchandise has been previously shoplifted. If the product looks clean, new, unblemished and still in its original packaging why would a buyer think anything of it?
Thieves who resell on legitimate websites, at flea markets, or pose as suppliers to small businesses that are looking for a cheaper form of distribution, rely on the consistency of “their” product to fool the honest buyer. When they have the ability to widen their sales market to include honest buyers and businesses (instead of just selling to other criminals) there is a greater chance that they will be able to make money. They can increase their sales of this stolen merchandise; creating more profit for themselves and their crime ring.
Since the honest buyer will be less likely to buy blemished items, or items that have evidence that they were stolen, it is critical for the shoplifters to spot merchandise that has been tagged prior to it being stolen. This helps them to retain their market share, as it were.
Marking your high theft inventory through a label, or a written on store number can help to reduce the shoplifting losses. By clearly notating that this merchandise is the property of your store, you reduce a shoplifters attraction to your merchandise.
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
