It was seven-thirty at night in Albuquerque last week when a small Chevrolet Cavalier pulled up outside of a local establishment of a retail chain. The clouds of exhaust coming from the back were evidence that the dark air was just beginning to chill in the high-desert night. Parking in the fire lane, a large man got out and darted for the door, with a much smaller and more fit man exiting the passenger side to take the wheel, while popping the hatch-back. They certainly were not fire-fighters, and there was no emergency in the store. The large man entered the store and headed straight for the thirty-two-inch televisions on the low shelf by the door. It was definitely a grab and run attempt. Moments later, the man ran out of the store empty-handed and in a fright, stumbling to close the hatchback and get into the car before anyone noticed! What happened? What was done in this case to prevent shoplifting?
Well, what the surveillance footage captured is that the large man reached down, pulled on a television while attempting to run with it, only to have it snatched right out of his hands by Alpha spider wrap that encased the TV, and that was attached to the shelving fixture by an Alpha 3 alarm cable! He then tried it again with another TV next to it, only to have the same thing happen again. Humiliated as a criminal and defeated, he high-tailed back out of the store to the shock and amazement of his driver, I am sure. I take great pleasure and amusement in imagining the conversation that ensued between the two of them shortly afterward.
This is a true and telling story of how simple merchandise security can prevent shoplifting. Especially when it comes to these extremely quick grab and run scenarios, all that stands between the thief and your merchandise is the protection products. Grab-and-runs, as they are called, happen in a matter of seconds to a couple of minutes at most. Shoplifters target items close to quick-getaway doors, usually in large quantities or of high-values (or both). There is no time for store employees to react to this type of theft and, quite honestly, not much they could do even if they noticed the thieves. Runners usually expect to be noticed, rendering customer service approaches relatively useless. This is when it pays to have your items secured with devices like those made by Alpha security.
The days are getting shorter and colder, meaning that more criminals will be using the darkness of night and the vacancy of the streets to perpetrate their crimes. It is the season of fast-paced theft attempts like the one that occurred in Albuquerque last week, and it could happen in any city at any time this winter. Make sure that you prepare your stores for the storm by securing your merchandise. Buying the security tools is only half of the job. It is important to make sure your employees are implementing a consistent merchandise protection strategy. If the security devices aren’t placed consistently and properly, these sophisticated criminal groups will exploit those security flaws, seeking out the unsecured items and taking them for their loot, leaving you with a loss.
For more information contact us: Prevent Shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547
It was seven-thirty at night in Albuquerque last week when a small Chevrolet Cavalier pulled up outside of a local establishment of a retail chain. The clouds of exhaust coming from the back were evidence that the dark air was just beginning to chill in the high-desert night. Parking in the fire lane, a large man got out and darted for the door, with a much smaller and more fit man exiting the passenger side to take the wheel, while popping the hatch-back. They certainly were not fire-fighters, and there was no emergency in the store. The large man entered the store and headed straight for the thirty-two-inch televisions on the low shelf by the door. It was definitely a grab and run attempt. Moments later, the man ran out of the store empty-handed and in a fright, stumbling to close the hatchback and get into the car before anyone noticed! What happened? What was done in this case to prevent shoplifting?
Well, what the surveillance footage captured is that the large man reached down, pulled on a television while attempting to run with it, only to have it snatched right out of his hands by Alpha Spider Wrap that encased the TV, and that was attached to the shelving fixture by an Alpha 3 Alarm Cable! He then tried it again with another TV next to it, only to have the same thing happen again. Humiliated as a criminal and defeated, he high-tailed back out of the store to the shock and amazement of his driver, I am sure. I take great pleasure and amusement in imagining the conversation that ensued between the two of them shortly afterward.
This is a true and telling story of how simple merchandise security can prevent shoplifting. Especially when it comes to these extremely quick grab and run scenarios, all that stands between the thief and your merchandise is the protection products. Grab-and-runs, as they are called, happen in a matter of seconds to a couple of minutes at most. Shoplifters target items close to quick-getaway doors, usually in large quantities or of high-values (or both). There is no time for store employees to react to this type of theft and, quite honestly, not much they could do even if they noticed the thieves. Runners usually expect to be noticed, rendering customer service approaches relatively useless. This is when it pays to have your items secured with devices like those made by Alpha security.
The days are getting shorter and colder, meaning that more criminals will be using the darkness of night and the vacancy of the streets to perpetrate their crimes. It is the season of fast-paced theft attempts like the one that occurred in Albuquerque last week, and it could happen in any city at any time this winter. Make sure that you prepare your stores for the storm by securing your merchandise. Buying the security tools is only half of the job. It is important to make sure your employees are implementing a consistent merchandise protection strategy. If the security devices aren’t placed consistently and properly, these sophisticated criminal groups will exploit those security flaws, seeking out the unsecured items and taking them for their loot, leaving you with a loss.
For more information contact us: Prevent Shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547
