Control Costume Jewelry Theft – Use Alpha Jewel Loks

 

Alpha Jewel Lok -5
Retail Anti-Theft Devices- 3                                                                                                                     WC blog 84
Control Costume Jewelry Theft – Use Alpha Jewel Loks
          Walk into a department store and take a look at all of the loose jewelry on counter top displays versus the amount of merchandise locked up in showcases.  Of course it is the higher end jewelry that is kept locked up while the lower price point merchandise is on open display for customers.  The concern that I have is a lot of those so-called lower price point pieces of jewelry are still above $30 a piece.  It doesn’t take long for enough of this merchandise to be stolen in order for a store to feel the pain from its losses.  Trying to prevent the theft of these items is terribly difficult.  With the amount of open sell displays and fixtures in many department stores it is nearly impossible to monitor everything.  I spent time working Loss Prevention in a department store and I can relate to the frustrations of trying to prevent theft and not make bad apprehensions because merchandise is so small.  There was not a good option for placing retail anti-theft devices on many of the jewelry pieces.  EAS tags were on the earring holders and possibly an EAS tag in a watch box, but nothing could be done for necklaces or bracelets.  Today there IS a product on the market that can be used to prevent the shoplifting of jewelry, the Alpha Jewel Lok.  
     Alpha Jewel Loks are small EAS retail anti-theft devices that have a steel hook that can be inserted through the clasp of a necklace, bracelet or watch.  Where in the past shoplifters would fill pockets or purses with merchandise without concern for activating an electronic article surveillance antenna, now the shoplifter has to make this a consideration before stealing merchandise.  Another factor shoplifters will have to take into account is that with the Alpha Jewel Lok, any attempt to remove it without a detachment key will damage the item and make it useless.
      I can think of one specific case from my department store Loss Prevention days when I had a couple shoplifting in our costume jewelry department.  The male was acting as the lookout while the female was “trying on” gold chain bracelets. I watched on camera as the female found a bracelet and then dropped it into her pants pocket.  The couple walked to the exit and I stopped them and with the assistance of a sales floor manager, escorted them back to the security office.  I made the mistake of walking in front of the couple as the manager walked behind them.  Well, we got to the office I asked for the merchandise in the woman’s pocket and she pulled out her pockets and no merchandise was there.  Feeling sheepish, I let the couple go.  After they left I reviewed video of the couple since the camera had remained on the doors as I escorted them back in the store.  Much to my dismay, I saw the woman pull the bracelet from her pocket and drop it down her shirt.  Being in front of the couple I did not see the movement and the manager was not trained to watch for this type of act.  Had we had the benefit of Alpha Jewel Loks at the time, it would not have mattered whether the merchandise was moved to another location on her person, the EAS alarm would have activated.  And yes, I did learn my lesson that day and never made THAT mistake again.
       It may not be possible to prevent shoplifting of every piece of jewelry, but you can certainly take steps to stop a significant amount of it with the right retail anti-theft devices.  Alpha Jewel Loks can give you the flexibility needed to keep some of your costume jewelry on open display fixtures.  Protect your merchandise and increase sales.
For more information on Alpha Jewel Loks, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Walk into a department store and take a look at all of the loose jewelry on counter top displays versus the amount of merchandise locked up in showcases. Of course it is the higher end jewelry that is kept locked up while the lower price point merchandise is on open display for customers. The concern that I have is a lot of those so-called lower price point pieces of jewelry are still above $30 a piece. It doesn’t take long for enough of this merchandise to be stolen in order for a store to feel the pain from its losses. Trying to prevent the theft of these items is terribly difficult. With the amount of open sell displays and fixtures in many department stores it is nearly impossible to monitor everything. I spent time working Loss Prevention in a department store and I can relate to the frustrations of trying to prevent theft and not make bad apprehensions because merchandise is so small. There was not a good option for placing retail anti-theft devices on many of the jewelry pieces. EAS tags were on the earring holders and possibly an EAS tag in a watch box, but nothing could be done for necklaces or bracelets. Today there IS a product on the market that can be used to prevent the shoplifting of jewelry, the Alpha Jewel Lok. 

 

Alpha Jewel Loks are small EAS retail anti-theft devices that have a steel hook that can be inserted through the clasp of a necklace, bracelet or watch. Where in the past shoplifters would fill pockets or purses with merchandise without concern for activating an electronic article surveillance antenna, now the shoplifter has to make this a consideration before stealing merchandise. Another factor shoplifters will have to take into account is that with the Alpha Jewel Lok, any attempt to remove it without a detachment key will damage the item and make it useless.

 

I can think of one specific case from my department store Loss Prevention days when I had a couple shoplifting in our costume jewelry department. The male was acting as the lookout while the female was “trying on” gold chain bracelets. I watched on camera as the female found a bracelet and then dropped it into her pants pocket. The couple walked to the exit and I stopped them and with the assistance of a sales floor manager, escorted them back to the security office. I made the mistake of walking in front of the couple as the manager walked behind them. Well, we got to the office I asked for the merchandise in the woman’s pocket and she pulled out her pockets and no merchandise was there. Feeling sheepish, I let the couple go. After they left I reviewed video of the couple since the camera had remained on the doors as I escorted them back in the store. Much to my dismay, I saw the woman pull the bracelet from her pocket and drop it down her shirt. Being in front of the couple I did not see the movement and the manager was not trained to watch for this type of act. Had we had the benefit of Alpha Jewel Loks at the time, it would not have mattered whether the merchandise was moved to another location on her person, the EAS alarm would have activated. And yes, I did learn my lesson that day and never made THAT mistake again.

 

It may not be possible to prevent shoplifting of every piece of jewelry, but you can certainly take steps to stop a significant amount of it with the right retail anti-theft devices. Alpha Jewel Loks can give you the flexibility needed to keep some of your costume jewelry on open display fixtures. Protect your merchandise and increase sales.

 

For more information on Alpha Jewel Loks, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547