CP Hard Tags-3 , EAS-2 , Stop Shoplifting-1 , CP Tags-4
Security Guard Vs. Checkpoint Systems
There are a few retailers that I have seen lately using loss prevention associates dressed as security guards, instead of the undercover approach. I get the deterrence factor of using these people, and I’m not against this as a way to stop shoplifting. If you can find the right people to do the job, train them according to all your policies and local regulations, your store can benefit from their presence. If nothing else, they can make some customers and even the staff feel more safe and secure. However, I think in order to really make a difference and reduce shrink in your store, you should take a look at the additional assistance you can get by introducing an electronic article surveillance system, like Checkpoint. Especially if you have the kind of staff and “security” personnel the store I went to this weekend employs.
I took my daughter shopping for a tie dye kit for her birthday, and the best locally owned place I knew to go was this crazy mix of gift shop and smoke shop that sells everything you can think of. We were greeted and offered help as soon as we walked in the door. My daughter was immediately mesmerized by all the band t-shirts and black light room decorations, so I just wondered around aimlessly, doing what I usually do: figuring out if a store has loss prevention tools in place. First of all, there are two clerks in the middle of this weird round checkout counter. There was a guy walking around the store with a black t-shirt on that said “security” on the back of it. Honestly, I kinda thought he could have actually been the store’s security, but there is the off chance that was just one of the novelty shirts they sell there. I accidentally (on purpose) took a pair of sunglasses I was “looking at” too close to the front door and activated their electronic article surveillance system. One of the clerks looked up from pricing merchandise, the security guy turned around but didn’t come closer, and the other clerk never budged. Now, I’ll admit I don’t look like much of a threat or a typical theft issue for a store like this, so I won’t crack on them too hard. As I really looked around, I could see that all the t-shirts had Checkpoint hard tags on them. All the beanie caps, bandanas, and scarves and more had some form of Checkpoint tags as well.
The store’s staff can’t see everything that happens. They get busy with other customers and things happen that draw their attention away. That’s why it’s so important to utilize Checkpoint tags and Checkpoint hard tags on any merchandise that may be targeted for theft. Clothing and accessories get stolen often because people conceal unpaid items beneath their own clothing when the staff gets distracted. Sometimes these people come in groups in order to create the distractions themselves. Checkpoint tags will alert the staff of the theft attempt as soon as the criminal gets too close to the door and activates the alarm. Also, the thief can’t just pry off Checkpoint hard tags. They can see they will damage the shirt or other item they are trying to steal if they try to tamper with the hard tag that is pinned through, so they will be more likely to just put it back. It might be worth it to some to find out if that’s a real security guard, but they know for sure they’ll be caught if they mess with Checkpoint tags!
Need more information on Checkpoint Hard Tags? Contact us or give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
There are a few retailers that I have seen lately using loss prevention associates dressed as security guards, instead of the undercover approach. I get the deterrence factor of using these people, and I’m not against this as a way to stop shoplifting. If you can find the right people to do the job, train them according to all your policies and local regulations, your store can benefit from their presence. If nothing else, they can make some customers and even the staff feel more safe and secure. However, I think in order to really make a difference and reduce shrink in your store, you should take a look at the additional assistance you can get by introducing an electronic article surveillance system, like Checkpoint. Especially if you have the kind of staff and “security” personnel the store I went to this weekend employs.
I took my daughter shopping for a tie dye kit for her birthday, and the best locally owned place I knew to go was this crazy mix of gift shop and smoke shop that sells everything you can think of. We were greeted and offered help as soon as we walked in the door. My daughter was immediately mesmerized by all the band t-shirts and black light room decorations, so I just wondered around aimlessly, doing what I usually do: figuring out if a store has loss prevention tools in place. First of all, there are two clerks in the middle of this weird round checkout counter. There was a guy walking around the store with a black t-shirt on that said “security” on the back of it. Honestly, I kinda thought he could have actually been the store’s security, but there is the off chance that was just one of the novelty shirts they sell there. I accidentally (on purpose) took a pair of sunglasses I was “looking at” too close to the front door and activated their electronic article surveillance system. One of the clerks looked up from pricing merchandise, the security guy turned around but didn’t come closer, and the other clerk never budged. Now, I’ll admit I don’t look like much of a threat or a typical theft issue for a store like this, so I won’t crack on them too hard. As I really looked around, I could see that all the t-shirts had Checkpoint hard tags on them. All the beanie caps, bandanas, and scarves and more had some form of Checkpoint tags as well.
The store’s staff can’t see everything that happens. They get busy with other customers and things happen that draw their attention away. That’s why it’s so important to utilize Checkpoint tags and Checkpoint hard tags on any merchandise that may be targeted for theft. Clothing and accessories get stolen often because people conceal unpaid items beneath their own clothing when the staff gets distracted. Sometimes these people come in groups in order to create the distractions themselves. Checkpoint tags will alert the staff of the theft attempt as soon as the criminal gets too close to the door and activates the alarm. Also, the thief can’t just pry off Checkpoint hard tags. They can see they will damage the shirt or other item they are trying to steal if they try to tamper with the hard tag that is pinned through, so they will be more likely to just put it back. It might be worth it to some to find out if that’s a real security guard, but they know for sure they’ll be caught if they mess with Checkpoint tags!
Need more information on Checkpoint Hard Tags? Contact us or give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
