Prevent Theft And Improve Profitability With Customer Service And Alpha Keepers

 

Alpha Keeper-5                                                                                                                                    WC blog 42
Prevent shoplifting-3
Retail Anti-Theft Devices-4
Prevent Theft And Improve Profitability With Customer Service And Alpha Keepers
     Recently I was working in my current retail sales position and my “Spidey Senses” alerted when a “customer” entered the store and began to look around.  It wasn’t very busy so he did stand out, but my prior years of Loss Prevention experience still told me something wasn’t right about this guy.  I offered my usual greeting and asked if I could assist the customer.  He said he was only looking around.  I let him wander and he wandered straight to the calculator section of the store.  Well aware that customer service is the best way to deter theft, I again offered my assistance and the gentleman began rambling about his need for a calculator.  Eventually I backed off but kept him in eyeshot.  This “customer” eventually selected a cheap calculator and a more expensive model stored in an Alpha keeper box and began to head towards another area of the store, hiding the cheaper calculator under the Alpha keeper box.  I was certain at this point that our “customer” was up to no good and I offered to assist him with the expensive calculator AND the one he had hidden under the box.  After being surprised by my identification of the cheaper calculator, the “customer” hemmed and hawed and said he was ready to check out.  When I began to ring up the sale, what a surprise, he didn’t have enough money on his debit card.   Of course he said he had transferred money and would be right back but, he did not return.  
     Why do I tell this story?  First, I want to point out that the retail anti-theft device, in this case the Alpha keeper box, slowed down the would-be shoplifter.  Had both calculators been accessible I am certain the “customer” would have stolen the more expensive one outright.  The second reason I tell this story is that while retail anti-theft devices do prevent shoplifting, especially by the casual shoplifter, there are professionals who will try to circumvent protection devices.  I later learned that there has been activity involving persons who have found a way to open Alpha boxes, possibly having obtained a stolen key, and they switch items in the box for a cheaper item.  In this instance, it would have explained the “shopper” taking both items with him to another area of the store.  I believe retail anti-theft devices, do protect a variety of products and it is foolish not to make them part of a strategy to prevent shoplifting.  But, I am also a strong believer that great customer service not only sells products, but it also deters crime.  All businesses should make customer service training a priority, it will improve profitability through increased customer satisfaction and will decrease losses associated with theft.
   
     You may not be familiar with Alpha Keepers and you are asking now, “What else can they protect aside from calculators?”  Alpha has keepers to protect DVD’s, razor blades, fragrances in fact they can protect a wide range of health and beauty products. These boxes will work with an electronic article surveillance antenna; setting off the alarm should a shoplifter attempt to leave with a box.  They also allow you, the store owner to keep product accessible to customers without having to keep everything in a locked up showcase or a stockroom.  The boxes are opened with a S3 hand key or multi-key at a checkout point.  The keys themselves can be ordered with an alarmed locking base providing you with additional security against stolen hand keys.
    Preventing Shoplifting in stores starts with a strong emphasis on training employees how to provide great customer service.  Supplementing this service with retail anti-theft devices such as Alpha keepers can increase profit margin by lowering shortage due to theft and increasing sales.  
For more information on Alpha Keepers contact, us or call 1.770.426.0547 
    

Recently I was working in my current retail sales position and my “Spidey Senses” alerted when a “customer” entered the store and began to look around. It wasn’t very busy so he did stand out, but my prior years of Loss Prevention experience still told me something wasn’t right about this guy. I offered my usual greeting and asked if I could assist the customer.  He said he was only looking around. I let him wander and he wandered straight to the calculator section of the store. Well aware that customer service is the best way to deter theft, I again offered my assistance and the gentleman began rambling about his need for a calculator. Eventually I backed off but kept him in eyeshot. This “customer” eventually selected a cheap calculator and a more expensive model stored in an Alpha keeper box and began to head towards another area of the store, hiding the cheaper calculator under the Alpha keeper box. I was certain at this point that our “customer” was up to no good and I offered to assist him with the expensive calculator AND the one he had hidden under the box. After being surprised by my identification of the cheaper calculator, the “customer” hemmed and hawed and said he was ready to check out. When I began to ring up the sale, what a surprise, he didn’t have enough money on his debit card. Of course he said he had transferred money and would be right back but, he did not return.

 

Why do I tell this story? First, I want to point out that the retail anti-theft device, in this case the Alpha keeper box, slowed down the would-be shoplifter. Had both calculators been accessible I am certain the “customer” would have stolen the more expensive one outright. The second reason I tell this story is that while retail anti-theft devices do prevent shoplifting, especially by the casual shoplifter, there are professionals who will try to circumvent protection devices. I later learned that there has been activity involving persons who have found a way to open Alpha boxes, possibly having obtained a stolen key, and they switch items in the box for a cheaper item. In this instance, it would have explained the “shopper” taking both items with him to another area of the store. I believe retail anti-theft devices, do protect a variety of products and it is foolish not to make them part of a strategy to prevent shoplifting. But, I am also a strong believer that great customer service not only sells products, but it also deters crime. All businesses should make customer service training a priority, it will improve profitability through increased customer satisfaction and will decrease losses associated with theft.      

 

You may not be familiar with Alpha Keepers and you are asking now, “What else can they protect aside from calculators?” Alpha has keepers to protect DVD’s, razor blades, fragrances in fact they can protect a wide range of health and beauty products. These boxes will work with an electronic article surveillance antenna; setting off the alarm should a shoplifter attempt to leave with a box. They also allow you, the store owner, to keep product accessible to customers without having to keep everything in a locked up showcase or a stockroom. The boxes are opened with a S3 hand key or multi-key at a checkout point. The keys themselves can be ordered with an alarmed locking base providing you with additional security against stolen hand keys.

 

Preventing Shoplifting in stores starts with a strong emphasis on training employees how to provide great customer service. Supplementing this service with retail anti-theft devices such as Alpha keepers can increase profit margin by lowering shortage due to theft and increasing sales.  

 

For more information on Alpha Keepers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547