Liquor bottle security-3 WC Blog 182
Bottle Locks-5
Liquor Bottle Security; Ideas For All Budget Sizes: Part 3
In parts 1 and 2 of this series of articles, I have been reviewing how the automobile industry has not so subtly attempted to get me to purchase a new vehicle that will make my life better. They have plied me with ads for heavy-duty work trucks, fuel-efficient and affordable compact cars and luxurious, leather seated, fast and stylish sports cars (yes, my wife reminds me THAT isn’t happening). Each class of car has its pros and cons, fuel efficiency vs. a larger engine, luxury vs. a fixed budget, payload vs. a small trunk. In a way, stores that sell alcohol, especially small to mid-size retailers, have similar considerations to worry about when it comes to merchandise security. Owners want to prevent theft and shortage but each owner has to also worry about profit and budget. One size does not fit all when it comes to liquor bottle security. The purpose of this series has been to demonstrate that there are affordable means for bottle security for everyone, such as the use of bottle locks on merchandise. Just like buying a car, each vehicle will move you from place to place sometimes it just gets you there faster or carries more weight in the process. In these articles retail owners should be able to find an idea they can afford to keep shortage down.
The one consistent strategy that all owners can use in combatting shortage is to place bottle locks on wines and spirits. These are anti-theft devices that are secured over the lid and neck of a bottle to prevent someone from gaining access to the contents until after a purchase is made. They can only be removed with a detachment tool that is maintained at the cash register stand or a portable detachment key carried by an employee. Bottle locks are most effective when a store also has Electronic Article Surveillance antennas. Since the locks will set off the antenna alarm if a bottle with a lock still attached, the locks deter shoplifters and also provide the store employees with the ability to recover merchandise before it is stolen.
Owners of liquor stores or grocery store that sell alcohol may be in a position to get a “luxury sports car” version of a merchandise protection system. In this case, Electronic Article Surveillance antennas should be purchased and placed at all entrances including loading dock doors. These stores should also protect every bottle in inventory with a bottle lock, ensuring customer accessibility to product while providing the optimal level of merchandise security. The more products secured the better the odds of stopping shoplifting. Shoplifters often set their sights on high end products but when they can’t get to those they will look for the next best option. A shoplifter may want to steal a $50 bottle of wine but if the bottle is protected they will go down to the $30 bottle and so on until they locate an unsecured item, even if it’s a $10 beverage.
Additionally, the luxury car has all the bells and whistles, complete sound system, on board driver assists, leather seats, etc. The store that can go all out should have all the bells and whistles too, one cashier and two or three employees at any given time available on the sales floor. Closed circuit television systems with attached digital cameras should be set on each aisle as well as the front entry and exit doors. Cameras would be monitored and when attempts at theft are detected, employees can be directed to the area to give superior customer service. Cameras should also be placed at employee and vendor entrances to monitor for possible employee or vendor theft. Finally, a uniformed, trained security officer would be positioned at the front doors to respond to EAS antenna alarms and conduct employee package checks as team members leave for the day.
I understand this is pie-in-the-sky for most businesses. All of it takes money and the return on investment may not be great enough to justify all these measures. But, a store CAN afford bottle locks and certainly exceptional customer service costs nothing but a smile and welcoming attitude. By investing in the liquor bottle security a store can afford will pay dividends in the long run.
Need information on liquor bottle security? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
In parts 1 and 2 of this series of articles, I have been reviewing how the automobile industry has not so subtly attempted to get me to purchase a new vehicle that will make my life better. They have plied me with ads for heavy-duty work trucks, fuel-efficient and affordable compact cars and luxurious, leather seated, fast and stylish sports cars (yes, my wife reminds me THAT isn’t happening). Each class of car has its pros and cons, fuel efficiency vs. a larger engine, luxury vs. a fixed budget, payload vs. a small trunk. In a way, stores that sell alcohol, especially small to mid-size retailers, have similar considerations to worry about when it comes to merchandise security. Owners want to prevent theft and shortage but each owner has to also worry about profit and budget. One size does not fit all when it comes to liquor bottle security. The purpose of this series has been to demonstrate that there are affordable means for bottle security for everyone, such as the use of bottle locks on merchandise. Just like buying a car, each vehicle will move you from place to place sometimes it just gets you there faster or carries more weight in the process. In these articles retail owners should be able to find an idea they can afford to keep shortage down.
The one consistent strategy that all owners can use in combatting shortage is to place bottle locks on wines and spirits. These are anti-theft devices that are secured over the lid and neck of a bottle to prevent someone from gaining access to the contents until after a purchase is made. They can only be removed with a detachment tool that is maintained at the cash register stand or a portable detachment key carried by an employee. Bottle locks are most effective when a store also has Electronic Article Surveillance antennas. Since the locks will set off the antenna alarm if a bottle with a lock still attached, the locks deter shoplifters and also provide the store employees with the ability to recover merchandise before it is stolen.
Owners of liquor stores or grocery store that sell alcohol may be in a position to get a “luxury sports car” version of a merchandise protection system. In this case, Electronic Article Surveillance antennas should be purchased and placed at all entrances including loading dock doors. These stores should also protect every bottle in inventory with a bottle lock, ensuring customer accessibility to product while providing the optimal level of merchandise security. The more products secured the better the odds of stopping shoplifting. Shoplifters often set their sights on high end products but when they can’t get to those they will look for the next best option. A shoplifter may want to steal a $50 bottle of wine but if the bottle is protected they will go down to the $30 bottle and so on until they locate an unsecured item, even if it’s a $10 beverage.
Additionally, the luxury car has all the bells and whistles, complete sound system, on board driver assists, leather seats, etc. The store that can go all out should have all the bells and whistles too, one cashier and two or three employees at any given time available on the sales floor. Closed circuit television systems with attached digital cameras should be set on each aisle as well as the front entry and exit doors. Cameras would be monitored and when attempts at theft are detected, employees can be directed to the area to give superior customer service. Cameras should also be placed at employee and vendor entrances to monitor for possible employee or vendor theft. Finally, a uniformed, trained security officer would be positioned at the front doors to respond to EAS antenna alarms and conduct employee package checks as team members leave for the day.
I understand this is pie-in-the-sky for most businesses. All of it takes money and the return on investment may not be great enough to justify all these measures. But, a store CAN afford bottle locks and certainly exceptional customer service costs nothing but a smile and welcoming attitude. By investing in the liquor bottle security a store can afford will pay dividends in the long run.
Need information on liquor bottle security? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Bottle Service-5 WC Blog 201
Bottle Services-3
Nightclub-5
Bottle Locks-5
Is Your Nightclub Dying? Breathe New Life Into It By Adding A Bottle Service
I live in a tourist area popular for the golf courses, shopping, beaches and nightlife. I have been noticing over the years that many of the clubs that used to be “The Place to Go” have quietly closed their doors in recent years. In their place, new clubs have opened and then shut their doors as well. It made me put on my investigator hat as I wondered what it is that is causing these businesses to close, aside from the obvious answer that not enough people are going there. Something has changed that is resulting in this trend and I couldn’t put my finger on it. As I pondered this I also wondered if a nightclub could do something different that would enhance the club experience and bring customers back. The answer I came up with may be that a club establishes a bottle service.
I will visit some of the reasons nightclubs are closing up in a moment, but first I want to explain how bottle services function and how it can help draw in customers. Bottle services can take on many different forms, tailored to meet the style of the individual club owner/manager. The basic service should include group reservations for parties as small as two people and as large as a club can handle. For small groups the club should arrange for prime seating near the dance floor or the band. To cater to larger groups, the club may want to set aside a room with a view to the dance floor, perhaps a bar and bartender for personalized service. If the club has a cover charge at the door, a group that has purchased the bottle service would have the cover charge waived and would be met by a host or hostess and escorted past the line of customers to go to their table/booth or room.
A bottle service will include a bottle(s) of top shelf wine or liquor and mixers of the purchaser’s choice. Once seated, the group will have a dedicated bottle server who will pour and mix drinks for the group and control the drink flow with bottle locks on each bottle. The server has a detachment key that is used to remove the bottle locks when drinks are to be poured and then the lock is replaced. This prevents someone from pouring their own servings from the bottle. The servers are instrumental in making sure the experience is successful. They MUST be well trained in providing customer service, engaging their customers and creating an enjoyable evening. An added benefit of using bottle locks is that the server can monitor whether a member of the group is becoming too intoxicated and can control the amount of alcohol being mixed into that person’s glass.
So back to my original question, “What is causing nightclubs to close?” According to nightclub.com, in an article by Bernadette Hasson, September 29, 2015, “Millennial Impact: The Evolution of Nightclubs”, “Studies show millennials aren’t frequenting nightclubs the way the preceding Gen Y did. Slightly more than 60% of millennials go out to clubs, and among those who do, only 25% do so more than once a month (ULI and Lachman Associates).” The writer goes on to list some of the reasons given by millennials including; throwing more house parties that cost less money, they pick venues they can post on social media, and they won’t accept watered down drinks in clubs. Some of the reasons for not going were based on their perceptions of what clubs used to be for and how they are not needed for that purpose any longer such as, “…they see a club as a place to hook up and instead use a dating app…” If millennials have these perceptions, then there must be new strategies to address those concerns.
Making a night out a good time, and emphasizing the music and entertainment along with a fun bottle server could remove the perception of trying to “meet or hook-up”. A waiter or waitress controlling the drinks and bottle locks can ensure drinks are properly measured and not “watered down”. Any number of décor or lighting changes can make better optics for social media posts. Other concerns such as long lines to get into a club, cover charges and rude service can all be rectified by adding a bottle service to a club.
Clubs don’t have to close because they lack appeal to a new generation. Adding bottle services and using bottle locks, along with a focus on customer service can appeal to the new clientele who may have different ideas of what they are looking for in terms of entertainment. Start a bottle service now and watch your business grow.
Get more information on bottle service, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
I live in a tourist area popular for the golf courses, shopping, beaches and nightlife. I have been noticing over the years that many of the clubs that used to be “The Place to Go” have quietly closed their doors in recent years. In their place, new clubs have opened and then shut their doors as well. It made me put on my investigator hat as I wondered what it is that is causing these businesses to close, aside from the obvious answer that not enough people are going there. Something has changed that is resulting in this trend and I couldn’t put my finger on it. As I pondered thisI also wondered if a nightclub could do something different that would enhance the club experience and bring customers back. The answer I came up with may be that a club establishes a bottle service.
I will visit some of the reasons nightclubs are closing up in a moment, but first I want to explain how bottle services function and how it can help draw in customers. Bottle services can take on many different forms, tailored to meet the style of the individual club owner/manager. The basic service should include group reservations for parties as small as two people and as large as a club can handle. For small groups the club should arrange for prime seating near the dance floor or the band. To cater to larger groups, the club may want to set aside a room with a view to the dance floor, perhaps a bar and bartender for personalized service. If the club has a cover charge at the door, a group that has purchased the bottle service would have the cover charge waived and would be met by a host or hostess and escorted past the line of customers to go to their table/booth or room.
A bottle service will include a bottle(s) of top shelf wine or liquor and mixers of the purchaser’s choice. Once seated, the group will have a dedicated bottle server who will pour and mix drinks for the group and control the drink flow with bottle locks on each bottle. The server has a detachment key that is used to remove the bottle locks when drinks are to be poured and then the lock is replaced. This prevents someone from pouring their own servings from the bottle. The servers are instrumental in making sure the experience is successful. They MUST be well trained in providing customer service, engaging their customers and creating an enjoyable evening. An added benefit of using bottle locks is that the server can monitor whether a member of the group is becoming too intoxicated and can control the amount of alcohol being mixed into that person’s glass.
So back to my original question, “What is causing nightclubs to close?” According to nightclub.com, in an article by Bernadette Hasson, September 29, 2015, “Millennial Impact: The Evolution of Nightclubs”, “Studies show millennials aren’t frequenting nightclubs the way the preceding Gen Y did. Slightly more than 60% of millennials go out to clubs, and among those who do, only 25% do so more than once a month (ULI and Lachman Associates).” The writer goes on to list some of the reasons given by millennials including; throwing more house parties that cost less money, they pick venues they can post on social media, and they won’t accept watered down drinks in clubs. Some of the reasons for not going were based on their perceptions of what clubs used to be for and how they are not needed for that purpose any longer such as, “…they see a club as a place to hook up and instead use a dating app…” If millennials have these perceptions, then there must be new strategies to address those concerns.
Making a night out a good time, and emphasizing the music and entertainment along with a fun bottle server could remove the perception of trying to “meet or hook-up”. A waiter or waitress controlling the drinks and bottle locks can ensure drinks are properly measured and not “watered down”. Any number of décor or lighting changes can make better optics for social media posts. Other concerns such as long lines to get into a club, cover charges and rude service can all be rectified by adding a bottle service to a club.
Clubs don’t have to close because they lack appeal to a new generation. Adding bottle services and using bottle locks, along with a focus on customer service can appeal to the new clientele who may have different ideas of what they are looking for in terms of entertainment. Start a bottle service now and watch your business grow.
Get more information on bottle service, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Liquor Bottle Security-4 WC blog 179
Bottle Locks-5
Bottle Lock-3
Bottle Locks Can Improve Operational Shortage While Preventing Theft.
In my articles I tend to focus a lot on retail theft, both employee theft and theft due to shoplifting. Generally these two areas comprise approximately 80% of all the merchandise shortage experienced by retailers. In fact, according to the 2014-2015 Global Retail Theft Barometer shoplifting accounted for 36% of stock shortage while employee theft caused 45% of losses. This leaves 19% of retail losses in 2014-2015 due to other factors 6% of which are vendor shortage and 13% operational issues. When it comes to liquor stores, this can be a significant issue because of the drain it causes to profits. I want to take this opportunity to discuss how bottle locks can help not only with theft prevention but also operational losses.
Without any protection, liquor and wine bottles can be removed from a store without notice and of course, the person can indulge in drinking the beverage(s). Liquor bottle security deters theft and keeps product from being shoplifted. Liquor bottle security may be in the form of lock up display cases or the use of bottle locks. A bottle lock is attached to the top of a bottle and locked in place preventing access to the contents. Although they come in a variety of styles and designs, Alpha security bottle locks are the optimum in merchandise protection. They are nearly impossible to pry off of a bottle without the proper detachment tool, and if an attempt is made to pry it the result may very well be a broken bottle.
Bottle locks are also the preferred method for liquor bottle security because they are compatible with Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) antennas. Walking through EAS antennas with a bottle that has a lock on it causes the antenna alarm to sound and lights built in the antennas to flash. This alerts store personnel and the customer that they have merchandise on their person or in a shopping cart that in all probability has not been paid for yet.
How does this impact operational shortage and does it make that big a difference for liquor store owners? Let me address the latter question first, does it make a difference for liquor store owners? Absolutely! In an August 31, 2014 forbes.com article, “The Least Profitable Businesses In The U.S.”, writer Mary Ellen Biery cites a “Sageworks” report that lists beer, wine and liquor stores as having a net profit margin of 1.7% ( rated in a 12 month survey ending on 7/1/14). This was the fifth lowest net profit margin industry in a list of fifteen businesses. That is a pretty thin margin, but if operational issues along with theft could be reduced then needless to say, that margin increases and puts more money to the bottom line.
Now, to address how the use of bottle locks can improve operational shortage. It is not uncommon for shoppers to forget about an item left on the bottom rack of a shopping cart or something that has rolled under the child seat of a buggy and after checking out, go to the vehicle and load the items up. If the cashier overlooks these items and they go out the door, there is a strong possibility the merchandise won’t be brought back in and paid for by the customer. This is a big factor in operation shortage. With their EAS capability, should an item(s) with a bottle lock be overlooked by cashier and customer, the lock will activate the antenna alarm as the bottle(s) is rolled out the door. The error can be corrected at the point of sale and a new transaction rung up to account for the stray merchandise.
Liquor bottle security can be used to prevent theft but by using a bottle lock instead of a locking display case you can empower customers to shop and select merchandise with minimal chances for theft. Accidental losses through operational miscues are prevented and profit margins grow.
Liquor bottle security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
In my articles I tend to focus a lot on retail theft, both employee theft and theft due to shoplifting. Generally these two areas comprise approximately 80% of all the merchandise shortage experienced by retailers. In fact, according to the 2014-2015 Global Retail Theft Barometer shoplifting accounted for 36% of stock shortage while employee theft caused 45% of losses. This leaves 19% of retail losses in 2014-2015 due to other factors 6% of which are vendor shortage and 13% operational issues. When it comes to liquor stores, this can be a significant issue because of the drain it causes to profits. I want to take this opportunity to discuss how bottle locks can help not only with theft prevention but also operational losses.
Without any protection, liquor and wine bottles can be removed from a store without notice and of course, the person can indulge in drinking the beverage(s). Liquor bottle security deters theft and keeps product from being shoplifted. Liquor bottle security may be in the form of lock up display cases or the use of bottle locks. A bottle lock is attached to the top of a bottle and locked in place preventing access to the contents. Although they come in a variety of styles and designs, Alpha security bottle locks are the optimum in merchandise protection. They are nearly impossible to pry off of a bottle without the proper detachment tool, and if an attempt is made to pry it the result may very well be a broken bottle.
Bottle locks are also the preferred method for liquor bottle security because they are compatible with Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) antennas. Walking through EAS antennas with a bottle that has a lock on it causes the antenna alarm to sound and lights built in the antennas to flash. This alerts store personnel and the customer that they have merchandise on their person or in a shopping cart that in all probability has not been paid for yet.
How does this impact operational shortage and does it make that big a difference for liquor store owners? Let me address the latter question first, does it make a difference for liquor store owners? Absolutely! In an August 31, 2014 forbes.com article, “The Least Profitable Businesses In The U.S.”, writer Mary Ellen Biery cites a “Sageworks” report that lists beer, wine and liquor stores as having a net profit margin of 1.7% ( rated in a 12 month survey ending on 7/1/14). This was the fifth lowest net profit margin industry in a list of fifteen businesses. That is a pretty thin margin, but if operational issues along with theft could be reduced then needless to say, that margin increases and puts more money to the bottom line.
Now, to address how the use of bottle locks can improve operational shortage. It is not uncommon for shoppers to forget about an item left on the bottom rack of a shopping cart or something that has rolled under the child seat of a buggy and after checking out, go to the vehicle and load the items up. If the cashier overlooks these items and they go out the door, there is a strong possibility the merchandise won’t be brought back in and paid for by the customer. This is a big factor in operation shortage. With their EAS capability, should an item(s) with a bottle lock be overlooked by cashier and customer, the lock will activate the antenna alarm as the bottle(s) is rolled out the door. The error can be corrected at the point of sale and a new transaction rung up to account for the stray merchandise.
Liquor bottle security can be used to prevent theft but by using a bottle lock instead of a locking display case you can empower customers to shop and select merchandise with minimal chances for theft. Accidental losses through operational miscues are prevented and profit margins grow.
Liquor bottle security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Bottle Service-4 , Nightclub-3 , Bottle Locks-3
What separates a successful nightclub from your average bar scene? You need a great location, of course. You don’t want to open a new place in a bad part of town, or you’ll never get the place filled to capacity. People want to have a good time without worrying about being mugged when they leave or having their car broken into. Next you need an awesome DJ. You can’t just hire any guy off the street to spin; it has to be someone that is well-known and talented. Live music is always a great option as well. Another thing you should consider is bottle service. Yes, this is a VIP service and yes, it can be expensive for the patrons, but is it worth it? I’ll let you decide for yourself.
Average bar or nightclub: Everybody pays the same price and waits in the same general admission line for the doors to open. The people that get there first will get tables with chairs and the rest have to just settle for what they can find. Some will get isolated tables around the perimeter that have no chairs, but at least they have somewhere to sit their drinks down. That is, of course, after they have waited at the bar, fighting to get the attention of the bartender so they could order those drinks. If it is a busy night, the drinks can vary greatly. When the bartender starts getting tired or stressed out, they may start under or over pouring the cocktails. Everybody is treated with the same level of mediocre service.
A nightclub that offers bottle service: Whether they arrive at the time the doors open or they roll up around midnight, the group that got reservations for bottle service gets to bypass the line and go right in. They go straight to their designated table that is in a prime spot near the dance floor and has a great view of the live entertainment as well. Their table serves as their home base, so they have somewhere to put their stuff and they have seats for when they want to take a break from the dance floor. Their designated hostess brings them their prepaid top shelf liquors, mixers, ice and clean glasses right to their table, so there is no need to fight the crowd at the bar. When someone in the group is ready for a drink or a refill, the hostess comes over and removes the bottle lock and pours the drinks for them. (The bottles cannot be left unattended and open on the tables, so the bottle locks are necessary. But that keeps everyone safe.)
Bottle service offers your patrons a chance to feel like celebrities. The group will usually be splitting the cost which includes the table, a minimum number of bottles, and usually the gratuity. So they can feel cool and look like big spenders without really having to be rich. Whether you’re there to just get out of the house or there for to celebrate a promotion: everybody just wants to have fun and feel special. You show them a good time, keep them safe, and they will become loyal to your nightclub and they won’t go to your competition. Bottle service also helps your establishment avoid serving a minor. The hostess knows who is supposed to be at the table, so if someone new joins the party, she can check their ID before she removes the bottle locks for the next round of drinks. A busy, overworked bartender is less likely to check for proof of age every time, especially if they are swamped with people on all sides of the bar.
Get more information on Bottle Service. Contact us or call. 1.770.426.0547
What separates a successful nightclub from your average bar scene? You need a great location, of course. You don’t want to open a new place in a bad part of town, or you’ll never get the place filled to capacity. People want to have a good time without worrying about being mugged when they leave or having their car broken into. Next you need an awesome DJ. You can’t just hire any guy off the street to spin; it has to be someone that is well-known and talented. Live music is always a great option as well. Another thing you should consider is bottle service. Yes, this is a VIP service and yes, it can be expensive for the patrons, but is it worth it? I’ll let you decide for yourself.
Average bar or nightclub: Everybody pays the same price and waits in the same general admission line for the doors to open. The people that get there first will get tables with chairs and the rest have to just settle for what they can find. Some will get isolated tables around the perimeter that have no chairs, but at least they have somewhere to sit their drinks down. That is, of course, after they have waited at the bar, fighting to get the attention of the bartender so they could order those drinks. If it is a busy night, the drinks can vary greatly. When the bartender starts getting tired or stressed out, they may start under or over pouring the cocktails. Everybody is treated with the same level of mediocre service.
A nightclub that offers bottle service: Whether they arrive at the time the doors open or they roll up around midnight, the group that got reservations for bottle service gets to bypass the line and go right in. They go straight to their designated table that is in a prime spot near the dance floor and has a great view of the live entertainment as well. Their table serves as their home base, so they have somewhere to put their stuff and they have seats for when they want to take a break from the dance floor. Their designated hostess brings them their prepaid top shelf liquors, mixers, ice and clean glasses right to their table, so there is no need to fight the crowd at the bar. When someone in the group is ready for a drink or a refill, the hostess comes over and removes the bottle lock and pours the drinks for them. (The bottles cannot be left unattended and open on the tables, so the bottle locks are necessary. But that keeps everyone safe.)
Bottle service offers your patrons a chance to feel like celebrities. The group will usually be splitting the cost which includes the table, a minimum number of bottles, and usually the gratuity. So they can feel cool and look like big spenders without really having to be rich. Whether you’re there to just get out of the house or there for to celebrate a promotion: everybody just wants to have fun and feel special. You show them a good time, keep them safe, and they will become loyal to your nightclub and they won’t go to your competition. Bottle service also helps your establishment avoid serving a minor. The hostess knows who is supposed to be at the table, so if someone new joins the party, she can check their ID before she removes the bottle locks for the next round of drinks. A busy, overworked bartender is less likely to check for proof of age every time, especially if they are swamped with people on all sides of the bar.
Get more information on Bottle Service. Contact us or call. 1.770.426.0547
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Bottle Locks-5
Bottle Security-4
Don’t Whine Over Wine Theft; Alpha Security Offers A Variety Of Bottle Security Options
I have worked in retail for many years now. I have been a Loss Prevention Associate, an Assets Protection Executive, a Logistics Manager and I currently work for a small box retailer as a sales specialist. I have seen stores implement new programs or new technologies to enhance customer experience, drive sales and reduce shrink or stock shortage. Because of my experience, I try to see the benefits to a store by using new strategies or technologies and I also try to see where there could be a problem that may have been overlooked and needs to be addressed. Regardless of my position in a store, I am passionate about theft prevention and theft prevention strategies. I try to consider how strategies will improve both customer service and shortage results. Let me give you an example of a merchandise protection strategy I have never personally used, but I have observed in use in a grocery store and that would be bottle locks on wine and champagne bottles. I had not realized there was such a thing, and had not thought about the need for bottle security but I was impressed when I saw it in a grocery store and recognized the potential for deterring shoplifting.
The bottle locks I saw in this store are the Alpha security S3 bottle locks. The locks cover the top of the wine bottle they , placed over the cap and locked in place. They are designed to prevent tampering and without a special hand key or detachment tool sold by Alpha security the lock cannot be removed. With electronic article surveillance antennas (EAS) in place, if a thief tries to walk out with a bottle protected with a bottle lock, the antenna alarm is activated.
In this day and age a lot of retailers have decided to start fighting theft by locking merchandise behind locked showcases. Sometimes it is only the expensive items, but nevertheless they lock it up thereby preventing customers from being able to pick up an item and examine it. What these businesses fail to understand is that customers get impatient and won’t wait for service. Patrons want something now, to get in and out quickly. Bottle locks provide protection from theft while making the product available to the customer.
I also mentioned previously that I try to anticipate problems when new strategies may cause unforeseen problems. There are two potential problems that arise when managers start to see that new security measures are making a positive impact on reducing shrink. First there is a tendency to start trimming payroll, with the mindset that not as many people are needed on the salesfloor since theft is reduced. Customer service is the number ONE deterrent to shoplifters. An effective shortage reduction strategy requires great customer service, the use of merchandise protection strategies and employee knowledge/education of high theft merchandise in the store. Reduce or remove one facet of the strategy and your program becomes ineffective. Improved in-stocks and reduced theft will pay for the use of merchandise protection devices such as the bottle locks in this case.
The second potential problem is not having a consistent merchandise protection program. One thing I have noticed in some stores, including the store where I saw the bottle locks in use, is the failure to keep up with protecting all the merchandise in a category being tagged or locked. Again, using the store where I saw using bottle security for the first time, they had a certain brand protected, but two of the bottles were not locked, the other three were. Not being consistent results in loss and an ineffective program.
For grocery stores and any other business that sells wine, stock shortage from theft is a real threat and can have a significant impact on profitability. Alpha security offers a number of bottle security options, including the S3 bottle cap. Make bottle security a part of your merchandise protection strategy and watch your profits grow.
Bottle Security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
I have worked in retail for many years now. I have been a Loss Prevention Associate, an Assets Protection Executive, a Logistics Manager and I currently work for a small box retailer as a sales specialist. I have seen stores implement new programs or new technologies to enhance customer experience, drive sales and reduce shrink or stock shortage. Because of my experience, I try to see the benefits to a store by using new strategies or technologies and I also try to see where there could be a problem that may have been overlooked and needs to be addressed. Regardless of my position in a store, I am passionate about theft prevention and theft prevention strategies. I try to consider how strategies will improve both customer service and shortage results. Let me give you an example of a merchandise protection strategy I have never personally used, but I have observed in use in a grocery store and that would be bottle locks on wine and champagne bottles. I had not realized there was such a thing, and had not thought about the need for bottle security but I was impressed when I saw it in a grocery store and recognized the potential for deterring shoplifting.
The bottle locks I saw in this store are the Alpha security S3 bottle locks. The locks cover the top of the wine bottle they , placed over the cap and locked in place. They are designed to prevent tampering and without a special hand key or detachment tool sold by Alpha security the lock cannot be removed. With electronic article surveillance antennas (EAS) in place, if a thief tries to walk out with a bottle protected with a bottle lock, the antenna alarm is activated.
In this day and age a lot of retailers have decided to start fighting theft by locking merchandise behind locked showcases. Sometimes it is only the expensive items, but nevertheless they lock it up thereby preventing customers from being able to pick up an item and examine it. What these businesses fail to understand is that customers get impatient and won’t wait for service. Patrons want something now, to get in and out quickly. Bottle locks provide protection from theft while making the product available to the customer.
I also mentioned previously that I try to anticipate problems when new strategies may cause unforeseen problems. There are two potential problems that arise when managers start to see that new security measures are making a positive impact on reducing shrink. First there is a tendency to start trimming payroll, with the mindset that not as many people are needed on the salesfloor since theft is reduced. Customer service is the number ONE deterrent to shoplifters. An effective shortage reduction strategy requires great customer service, the use of merchandise protection strategies and employee knowledge/education of high theft merchandise in the store. Reduce or remove one facet of the strategy and your program becomes ineffective. Improved in-stocks and reduced theft will pay for the use of merchandise protection devices such as the bottle locks in this case.
The second potential problem is not having a consistent merchandise protection program. One thing I have noticed in some stores, including the store where I saw the bottle locks in use, is the failure to keep up with protecting all the merchandise in a category being tagged or locked. Again, using the store where I saw using bottle security for the first time, they had a certain brand protected, but two of the bottles were not locked, the other three were. Not being consistent results in loss and an ineffective program.
For grocery stores and any other business that sells wine, stock shortage from theft is a real threat and can have a significant impact on profitability. Alpha security offers a number of bottle security options, including the S3 bottle cap. Make bottle security a part of your merchandise protection strategy and watch your profits grow.
Bottle Security is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
