It is a common practice to protect your merchandise with clothing security tags to keep it out of the hands of thieves. Using electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags, ink tags, and other types of checkpoint tags are the most cost-efficient ways to secure your stock. If these devices are not used properly, however, they can become more of a burden than a blessing. It is important to make sure that a sound strategy is in place when it comes to using security tags on clothes.
First, make sure that when these security tags are ordered that the quantity purchased is great enough to apply them consistently to the product that you want to protect. Many organizations that use these tags effectively do so with a sound merchandise protection strategy. If there is a particular line of clothing that you want to be secured, because of price, popularity, or for whatever reason, make sure that you have enough tags to secure them all. It may seem like an obvious point but, all too often do retailers order an incorrect number of security tags leaving them under-protected or, almost as bad, with more than they need.
Secondly, make sure that part of your merchandise protection strategy includes a specific placement technique. If the tags are placed inconsistently all over different items, it will lead to confusion for other employees when it comes time to remove them. There is little less convenient for customers than arriving at home, discovering that the clothing security tags are still on their clothes, and that they must drive all the way back to the store to have them removed in order to wear them. This could especially be a nightmare for someone shopping for an outfit intended for a special occasion, only to find the tag on right before going out! A good rule of thumb is to locate the security tags as close to the merchandise scan tags, making it more noticeable for the employee ringing it up.
Nearly just as important, make sure employees are aware of the details of the merchandise protection strategy. Firstly, this will make associates aware of what items are more likely to be stolen. More awareness amounts to better protection and theft deterrence. Secondly, employees who process returns know what merchandise needs to be protected, and how, before it returns to the sales floor. Finally, and most obviously, it will allow employees to keep customers happy, by making sure those devices are removed for paying customers.
Even with the issues that clothing security tags sometimes bring, they are well worth the small investment to protect the items from shoplifters. The damage that could be done by a few shoplifters is likely to be much greater than that of a customer who ends up at home with a checkpoint tag on their clothes when they get home. What’s more, the latter situation is easily avoided with proper training. Just remember to implement a uniform, consistent merchandise protection strategy. Ensure that all employees who handle the merchandise, from the door to the floor and even upon returns, know what the strategy is. They must know which items need to be secured, where to secure them, and with what items. This will keep your merchandise around for those who want to buy it.
For more information contact us: Clothing Security or call 1.770.426.0547
It is a common practice to protect your merchandise with clothing security tags to keep it out of the hands of thieves. Using electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags, ink tags, and other types of Checkpoint tags are the most cost-efficient ways to secure your stock. If these devices are not used properly, however, they can become more of a burden than a blessing. It is important to make sure that a sound strategy is in place when it comes to using security tags on clothes.
First, make sure that when these security tags are ordered that the quantity purchased is great enough to apply them consistently to the product that you want to protect. Many organizations that use these tags effectively do so with a sound merchandise protection strategy. If there is a particular line of clothing that you want to be secured, because of price, popularity, or for whatever reason, make sure that you have enough tags to secure them all. It may seem like an obvious point but, all too often retailers order an incorrect number of security tags leaving them under-protected or, almost as bad, with more than they need.
Secondly, make sure that part of your merchandise protection strategy includes a specific placement technique. If the tags are placed inconsistently all over different items, it will lead to confusion for other employees when it comes time to remove them. There is little less convenience for customers than arriving at home, discovering that the clothing security tags are still on their clothes, and that they must drive all the way back to the store to have them removed in order to wear them. This could especially be a nightmare for someone shopping for an outfit intended for a special occasion, only to find the tag on right before going out! A good rule of thumb is to locate the security tags as close to the merchandise scan tags, making it more noticeable for the employee ringing it up.
Nearly just as important, make sure employees are aware of the details of the merchandise protection strategy. Firstly, this will make associates aware of what items are more likely to be stolen. More awareness amounts to better protection and theft deterrence. Secondly, employees who process returns know what merchandise needs to be protected, and how, before it returns to the sales floor. Finally, and most obviously, it will allow employees to keep customers happy, by making sure those devices are removed for paying customers.
Even with the issues that clothing security tags sometimes bring, they are well worth the small investment to protect the items from shoplifters. The damage that could be done by a few shoplifters is likely to be much greater than that of a customer who ends up at home with a Checkpoint tag on their clothes when they get home. What’s more, the latter situation is easily avoided with proper training. Just remember to implement a uniform, consistent merchandise protection strategy. Ensure that all employees who handle the merchandise, from the door to the floor and even upon returns, know what the strategy is. They must know which items need to be secured, where to secure them, and with what items. This will keep your merchandise around for those who want to buy it.
For more information contact us: Clothing Security or call 1.770.426.0547
