RETAIL THEFT PREVENTION THAT EVERY STORE CAN AFFORD
I see this in my stores (large big box) and I see it when I shop at smaller chains and even the mom and pop shops around town. We, the retailer, invest in a Checkpoint security system, but we don’t remain consistent with tag and label placement on merchandise. How can we expect to stop shoplifting if we are making it so easy for a thief to steal from us?
Just this past week, I was in a store taking care of an internal theft case. After I wrapped up, I walked the store with the General Manager, and a team member approached us and informed us of a theft that had just occurred. A female suspect came into the store and stole several hundred dollars’ worth of a particular style of shirt. Each of these shirts retail for $39.99 a piece. The thief simply grabbed an entire stack, placed them in her purse and walked right on out.
We went over to the area and immediately identified an inconsistency in the store’s process. It seems that only one or two of the shirts had been tagged with an EAS device, leaving the rest open to anyone. This particular shoplifter did in fact leave behind the 3 shirts that were protected; proving that the Checkpoint security system would have worked to prevent this loss, had the store been consistent on tagging. It’s often not enough for you, as the manager, to tell your team what needs to be done; you have to inspect what you expect from them and continually share the importance of remaining compliant. If you set a standard to secure a product, then your team needs to adhere to that standard; or find another job.
In order to effectively stop shoplifting, you have to use your Checkpoint security system to its full potential. Just installing the towers and slapping a few labels here and there won’t stop shoplifting. You need to have a solid plan in place. What I challenge my store teams to do is walk there store each week in the eyes of a thief. If something looks appealing and easy to steal, be proactive and protect that item before the real thief takes it from you.
I have one store that really stands out. The management team incorporates LP strategy into their daily routine and they don’t see it as something extra they have to do. By having this mentality and working hard each day to do their very best to secure their products and utilize their Checkpoint security system to the fullest; they are one of a handful of stores that are crushing not only their sales plans, but also their profitability targets.
One example I like to use from this store comes from some fishing reels that were being stolen across the market. The 4 other stores did not take any pro-active measures to combat the losses, but this particular store ordered additional tags to secure the product. I even heard a General Manager say that she refused to order more tags, as it would put her over her supply budget for the month; but then she lost $2,500 in fishing reels for not placing that $75 supply order. Are you that manager?
Need information on Checkpoint Security Systems? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
I see this in my stores (large big box) and I see it when I shop at smaller chains and even the mom and pop shops around town. We, the retailer, invest in a Checkpoint security system, but we don’t remain consistent with tag and label placement on merchandise. How can we expect to stop shoplifting if we are making it so easy for a thief to steal from us?
Just this past week, I was in a store taking care of an internal theft case. After I wrapped up, I walked the store with the General Manager, and a team member approached us and informed us of a theft that had just occurred. A female suspect came into the store and stole several hundred dollars’ worth of a particular style of shirt. Each of these shirts retail for $39.99 a piece. The thief simply grabbed an entire stack, placed them in her purse and walked right on out.
We went over to the area and immediately identified an inconsistency in the store’s process. It seems that only one or two of the shirts had been tagged with an EAS device, leaving the rest open to anyone. This particular shoplifter did in fact leave behind the 3 shirts that were protected; proving that the Checkpoint security system would have worked to prevent this loss, had the store been consistent on tagging. It’s often not enough for you, as the manager, to tell your team what needs to be done; you have to inspect what you expect from them and continually share the importance of remaining compliant. If you set a standard to secure a product, then your team needs to adhere to that standard; or find another job.
In order to effectively stop shoplifting, you have to use your Checkpoint security system to its full potential. Just installing the towers and slapping a few labels here and there won’t stop shoplifting. You need to have a solid plan in place. What I challenge my store teams to do is walk there store each week in the eyes of a thief. If something looks appealing and easy to steal, be proactive and protect that item before the real thief takes it from you.
I have one store that really stands out. The management team incorporates LP strategy into their daily routine and they don’t see it as something extra they have to do. By having this mentality and working hard each day to do their very best to secure their products and utilize their Checkpoint security system to the fullest; they are one of a handful of stores that are crushing not only their sales plans, but also their profitability targets.
One example I like to use from this store comes from some fishing reels that were being stolen across the market. The 4 other stores did not take any pro-active measures to combat the losses, but this particular store ordered additional tags to secure the product. I even heard a General Manager say that she refused to order more tags, as it would put her over her supply budget for the month; but then she lost $2,500 in fishing reels for not placing that $75 supply order. Are you that manager?
Need information on Checkpoint Security Systems? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
