When I was a Loss Prevention Manager I regularly spent time with my team doing training to stop shoplifting. I would create a scenario and one person would have to follow the “suspect” and see all the steps to conduct a proper apprehension. We also did refresher training on the steps for detaining and handcuffing a shoplifter. Basically I took the same philosophy we practiced in the military and applied it to Retail Loss Prevention. Practicing skills is the only way to stay sharp on them especially when it comes to things you don’t do on a regularly basis and trust me there were times it felt like we went through droughts of catching shoplifters. This came to me as I attended first aid and CPR training at the library where I now work. I have had a lot of first aid and CPR training starting from the time I was a Boy Scout but rarely have I had to put that first aid training to use. On top of that I have never had to use my CPR training. It is precisely because I have not had to put those skills to work very often that I continue to go through refresher training, I forget over time. The same can be said for Retail Theft Prevention. You may have a Sensormatic security system installed and you may have demonstrated to an associate once how to remove Sensormatic hard tags or respond to an alarm but they can forget.
Store managers should be spending time on a regular basis talking with employees on how to properly attach and detach Sensormatic hard tags. There also needs to be training on how they should be responding to electronic article surveillance alarms and how it helps stop shoplifting. There are a couple of reasons why this training is important and should not be glossed over.
• When it comes to the attachment of hard tags or application of labels consistency is necessary. If they are not applied properly they may be able to be removed by thieves or they may be rendered useless. For example electronic article surveillance labels may not work properly if they are bent too much around a side or corner of a box. Attaching a hard tag to a clothing size label on the neck of a shirt will not be a deterrent to theft since the shirt tag can be cut off without damaging the merchandise.
• If associates are trained to place hard tags in the same location on every pair of slacks cashiers will know where to find the tags and this will aid in proper removal at the point of sale.
• Teaching sales staff how to apply Sensormatic hard tags that have pins will help to prevent accidental puncture wounds. This can also help you, the store owner, avoid a medical bill.
• Talking about what to look for when a sensor tag activates an alarm can make the interaction with the customer more pleasant, even if they were trying to steal products. It will also help in getting thieves to pay for the merchandise or hand it to the employee.
It is the repetition of regularly reviewing this information that makes it become second nature to your employees. Not all employees have the same interactions with Sensormatic equipment and customers so some may never actually remove a tag or deactivate a label. That does not mean they should not know how to do so.
In part 2 we will continue the discussion on the importance of practice and review as it relates to how to stop shoplifting and losses as the result of a Sensormatic equipment alarm. For now just know that refresher training is an essential function in every workplace, especially for tasks that are infrequently performed.
Sensormatic hard tags are important and we can help you with them. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
