Clothing Security-5 WC Blog 297
Security Tags on Clothes-4
Checkpoint Tags-4
Clothing Security Audits Aid In Identifying Merchandise Protection Opportunities And Theft Prevention
In Loss Prevention we regularly talk about inventory and auditing of merchandise. We check on hand counts of high theft products to ensure we aren’t missing any. We participate in store inventories to help make sure counting is accurate and the best results possible are achieved. In my store we used to audit such things as i-pods, big ticket vacuums, video game consoles, certain cold medicines and when we started carrying them, leather coats and jackets. Auditing helped to identify theft issues quickly and correct deficiencies in our theft strategy. Areas that can be easily overlooked but are just as important to audit are clothing security measures. Management and Loss Prevention can count high dollar items all day long, but identifying that something is missing does not help the shortage that has been incurred. A regular audit of security tags on clothes is more helpful in preventing theft in the first place.
Checkpoint tags on clothing deter shoplifting since most thieves don’t want to chance activating electronic article surveillance (EAS) alarm antennas. Located at the front doors of a store as part of a Checkpoint system, the EAS antennas receive the radio frequency signals emitting from clothing security tags. This initiates an alarm and flashing LED lights built into the antenna, alerting store staff that someone is attempting to exit with unpaid merchandise. A thief doesn’t want that attention and often times avoids stores when they see EAS antennas as they walk in. The more daring shoplifter may try to walk out with security tags on clothes but as the alarm sounds these crooks frequently drop the merchandise and run. Finally, there are the shoplifters who will try to locate Checkpoint tags on garments. If they don’t find tags they will put on the clothing or conceal it in a bag, purse or on their person and walk out. If these folks do find tags they try to remove them and then exit the store to avoid alarms.
Some of those reading this article may be asking how a shoplifter knows if clothing is tagged. Security tags on clothes can be hard tags that are pinned to the item in a prominent location so it CAN be seen and deter theft. Then there are soft tags that come on a roll and can be peeled off and stuck to a manufacturer hang tag. Some companies have Checkpoint tags embedded in the hang tag so it can’t be seen. There are shoplifters who have become educated on this and will take off manufacturer labels just in case there might be clothing security tags hidden in them. In order to be one step ahead of the bad guys there are Loss Prevention teams that will put a hard tag on a piece of clothing, in addition to a soft tag that is embedded in the label. Another trick is to hide a second soft clothing security tag inside a coat or pants pocket. If one label is discovered it is unlikely the second one will be.
As I discussed at the beginning of my article, auditing of security tags on clothes can be a missed opportunity to be sure merchandise is protected against shoplifters. I recommend deciding how frequently you want to check for tagging accuracy and then divide the store in sections and audit a section a day. Checkpoint has two portable verifiers that are excellent for scanning merchandise and determining if it has an active tag on it, even an embedded or hidden tag. Auditing provides an opportunity to tag merchandise that is not protected or has been deactivated, say for instance when a customer rings up an item and changes their mind and the cashier has already run it over a deactivation pad. Auditing also helps to locate areas of the store that may not be getting tagged properly and can be an area of focus for a shortage reduction plan.
Checkpoint tags are an effective means of reducing clothing shortage and improving store profits. The flip side is they are only as effective as the tagging program is that you have in place. Be sure you are protecting all of your merchandise and enjoying the benefits of clothing security. Audit your merchandise on a regular basis and keep your store on track for fantastic inventory results.
Clothing security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
In Loss Prevention we regularly talk about inventory and auditing of merchandise. We check on hand counts of high theft products to ensure we aren’t missing any. We participate in store inventories to help make sure counting is accurate and the best results possible are achieved. In my store we used to audit such things as i-pods, big ticket vacuums, video game consoles, certain cold medicines and when we started carrying them, leather coats and jackets. Auditing helped to identify theft issues quickly and correct deficiencies in our theft strategy. Areas that can be easily overlooked but are just as important to audit are clothing security measures. Management and Loss Prevention can count high dollar items all day long, but identifying that something is missing does not help the shortage that has been incurred. A regular audit of security tags on clothes is more helpful in preventing theft in the first place.
Checkpoint tags on clothing deter shoplifting since most thieves don’t want to chance activating electronic article surveillance (EAS) alarm antennas. Located at the front doors of a store as part of a Checkpoint system, the EAS antennas receive the radio frequency signals emitting from clothing security tags. This initiates an alarm and flashing LED lights built into the antenna, alerting store staff that someone is attempting to exit with unpaid merchandise. A thief doesn’t want that attention and often times avoids stores when they see EAS antennas as they walk in. The more daring shoplifter may try to walk out with security tags on clothes but as the alarm sounds these crooks frequently drop the merchandise and run. Finally, there are the shoplifters who will try to locate Checkpoint tags on garments. If they don’t find tags they will put on the clothing or conceal it in a bag, purse or on their person and walk out. If these folks do find tags they try to remove them and then exit the store to avoid alarms.
Some of those reading this article may be asking how a shoplifter knows if clothing is tagged. Security tags on clothes can be hard tags that are pinned to the item in a prominent location so it CAN be seen and deter theft. Then there are soft tags that come on a roll and can be peeled off and stuck to a manufacturer hang tag. Some companies have Checkpoint tags embedded in the hang tag so it can’t be seen. There are shoplifters who have become educated on this and will take off manufacturer labels just in case there might be clothing security tags hidden in them. In order to be one step ahead of the bad guys there are Loss Prevention teams that will put a hard tag on a piece of clothing, in addition to a soft tag that is embedded in the label. Another trick is to hide a second soft clothing security tag inside a coat or pants pocket. If one label is discovered it is unlikely the second one will be.
As I discussed at the beginning of my article, auditing of security tags on clothes can be a missed opportunity to be sure merchandise is protected against shoplifters. I recommend deciding how frequently you want to check for tagging accuracy and then divide the store in sections and audit a section a day. Checkpoint has two portable verifiers that are excellent for scanning merchandise and determining if it has an active tag on it, even an embedded or hidden tag. Auditing provides an opportunity to tag merchandise that is not protected or has been deactivated, say for instance when a customer rings up an item and changes their mind and the cashier has already run it over a deactivation pad. Auditing also helps to locate areas of the store that may not be getting tagged properly and can be an area of focus for a shortage reduction plan.
Checkpoint tags are an effective means of reducing clothing shortage and improving store profits. The flip side is they are only as effective as the tagging program is that you have in place. Be sure you are protecting all of your merchandise and enjoying the benefits of clothing security. Audit your merchandise on a regular basis and keep your store on track for fantastic inventory results.
Clothing security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
