I was covering my cashier for her break this past weekend, when this guy came up to buy three six-packs of beer. When he sat them down I noticed one of them was missing three bottles. The guy said he hadn’t seen it when he picked it up. I told him I would sell it to him for half price since it would take an act of congress to get the beer guy to give me credit for the package. That meant losing the profit I would have made from it too. I can justify it to myself since my beer section is a paltry two door reach in cooler, and we don’t really sell a lot of it anyway. I pay a lot more attention to my larger and more expensive wine selection. Bottle security in that section is paramount because it has more potential sales for my store. We have security cameras all around the store and the aisles are set up so that the wine section is close to the checkout so the cashiers can monitor the shoppers over there.
I have seen some other bottle security options used at stores that could be helpful. Some stores use empty bottles for place holders on the shelves. They place the price labels on the shelves just as they would if the real bottles were there. The customer takes that bottle up to the cashier and they retrieve the actual bottle that the customer wants to purchase. Another store used a similar approach. They took wood planks and laid them down end to end on the shelves and adhere pictures of the products to the boards. The customer takes the picture down and brings that to the front counter for the cashier. The biggest problem with both of these ideas is that there has to be a whole separate place for storage for the actual wine and spirits bottles. I manage a small retail pharmacy and we happen to sell wine, but do not have that kind of space. Another issue is that if there is only one clerk on duty, they have to leave the cash register unattended in order to get the customer’s selections for them. Some stores hire security guards if they have major theft issues. They’re not cheap though, so that’s is going to cost you. That could ultimately take payroll dollars away from your other employees.
If you don’t have that kind of space or extra money to drop, take a look at a bottle security option offered by Alpha Security. Bottle locks could be the answer. They are easy to apply and remove right at the checkout. The customer gets to browse your selection of wine and spirits on the shelf. They can pick up the bottles and compare them without the bottle locks impeding them. They don’t have to come to the checkout with some token and wait on the clerk to find the right choice. Alpha Security brought these to the table so you don’t have to worry about your valuable inventory being on display. Bottle locks fit over almost any size bottle and they are completely reusable. They offer a visible deterrent to the potential shoplifter. There is also the complete benefit denial for the rare times that you do suffer a loss. If someone gets brave enough to run out with a bottle that is still protected by a bottle lock, the bottle will shatter before they get the cap off. When you get your theft solutions from Alpha Security you are also getting peace of mind.
Bottle security is important and we can help. Contact us or call today 1.770.426.0547
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Five Ways Bottle Service Can Build Your Business – Part I
Is it possible that owning and operating a nightclub could become a losing proposition? According to an article on the website newtheory.com club patronage by millennials is on a decline. The article, “Bid Farewell: Why Millennials Are Abandoning Nightclubs”, posted October 12, 2015, contends that, “Nightclub and bar attendance has been on a steady decline for the past several years and counting.” The reason for the decline is blamed on millennials and millennials are those who fall into the age bracket between 21 and 38 and they cite this information from a report by research firm, GFK. The story lists a number of reasons given by respondents to an anonymous online survey for not attending clubs regularly. Some of the reasons listed included:
• Expensive cover charges
• High priced drinks
• Long lines
• Slow bar service
• Rude staff
Looking at these reasons for not frequenting clubs, it is clear to me that a significant part of the problem could be solved simply by starting a bottle service which also includes using bottle locks.
The bottle service is simply a group package offered by the nightclub that is purchased in advance by the client for a V.I.P. style evening out. It may be for a party of two or more and the package price is determined by the number of people in the group, the type of reserved seating desired and the number of top shelf spirits or wines purchased (usually one or two bottles). A waiter or waitress is assigned to the group for the evening and serves as the attendant to the group for the night, including serving beverages and mixing drinks. Bottles are served with bottle locks on them to prevent someone from walking off with the party’s drinks. Bottle locks can only be removed by the waiter or waitress with a special detachment key that can be carried on their person. From a customer service perspective, this helps resolve a lot of problems before they happen.
Expensive cover charges was the first complaint listed. What is the reason for a cover charge? Cover charges should be for special events or DJ’s, according to nightclub.com writer Marcus Colon in an October 21, 2014 article, When to Charge a Cover. “ “Cover charges can be tricky because if you charge too much you’ll turn away customers,” says Karla Ortiz, national accounts director at Wanttickets, one of the nation’s premier online ticketing services that works with some of the top nightclubs in the country.” Cover charges may add revenue, but if party goers find someplace with a lower cover fee, they may not return. Adding a bottle service will increase profit through the purchase price of a service and any additional liquor/wine purchases a party may make. Groups purchasing a service pay no cover and it would also allow the owner/manager to lower cover charges for all other patrons.
An additional point to consider with cover charges is that it may hinder how much a customer spends in the club. A modest cover fee may be fine, but owners should recognize that patrons may not spend as much on their drinks or food. It may also mean reduced tips for staff. A bottle service can have a tip built into the price so staff will still be compensated and the customer knows up front what they will be paying. A bottle server who is customer service oriented will unlock bottles and mix drinks for his or her group and make the experience one that will entice a party to return again.
With the decline in club attendance, it is important to find ways to grow your business, not just protect what you have. Lowering or eliminating cover charges and adding a bottle service with the benefits of bottle locks will bring the customers to your establishment time and time again.
Get more information on bottle service, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Is it possible that owning and operating a nightclub could become a losing proposition? According to an article on the website newtheory.com club patronage by millennials is on a decline. The article, “Bid Farewell: Why Millennials Are Abandoning Nightclubs”, posted October 12, 2015, contends that, “Nightclub and bar attendance has been on a steady decline for the past several years and counting.” The reason for the decline is blamed on millennials and millennials are those who fall into the age bracket between 21 and 38 and they cite this information from a report by research firm, GFK. The story lists a number of reasons given by respondents to an anonymous online survey for not attending clubs regularly. Some of the reasons listed included:
• Expensive cover charges
• High priced drinks
• Long lines
• Slow bar service
• Rude staff
Looking at these reasons for not frequenting clubs, it is clear to me that a significant part of the problem could be solved simply by starting a bottle service which also includes using bottle locks.
The bottle service is simply a group package offered by the nightclub that is purchased in advance by the client for a V.I.P. style evening out. It may be for a party of two or more and the package price is determined by the number of people in the group, the type of reserved seating desired and the number of top shelf spirits or wines purchased (usually one or two bottles). A waiter or waitress is assigned to the group for the evening and serves as the attendant to the group for the night, including serving beverages and mixing drinks. Bottles are served with bottle locks on them to prevent someone from walking off with the party’s drinks. Bottle locks can only be removed by the waiter or waitress with a special detachment key that can be carried on their person. From a customer service perspective, this helps resolve a lot of problems before they happen.
An expensive cover charges was the first complaint listed. What is the reason for a cover charge? Cover charges should be for special events or DJ’s, according to nightclub.com writer Marcus Colon in an October 21, 2014 article, When to Charge a Cover. “ “Cover charges can be tricky because if you charge too much you’ll turn away customers,” says Karla Ortiz, national accounts director at Wanttickets, one of the nation’s premier online ticketing services that works with some of the top nightclubs in the country.” Cover charges may add revenue, but if party goers find someplace with a lower cover fee, they may not return. Adding a bottle service will increase profit through the purchase price of a service and any additional liquor/wine purchases a party may make. Groups purchasing a service pay no cover and it would also allow the owner/manager to lower cover charges for all other patrons.
An additional point to consider with cover charges is that it may hinder how much a customer spends in the club. A modest cover fee may be fine, but owners should recognize that patrons may not spend as much on their drinks or food. It may also mean reduced tips for staff. A bottle service can have a tip built into the price so staff will still be compensated and the customer knows up front what they will be paying. A bottle server who is customer service oriented will unlock bottles and mix drinks for his or her group and make the experience one that will entice a party to return again.
With the decline in club attendance, it is important to find ways to grow your business, not just protect what you have. Lowering or eliminating cover charges and adding a bottle service with the benefits of bottle locks will bring the customers to your establishment time and time again.
Get more information on bottle service, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
STOP STEALING MY STUFF! – BOTTLE LOCKS
Like you and many other retailers out there, I’m pretty tired of people stealing my stuff! One of my biggest pains and areas of greatest loss is my alcohol section. It seems like every day I find that I’m missing some liquor, or a good bottle (or 5) of wine. What can I do… what can you do to stop this! Why should I have to pay for someone’s party!!! Not long ago, I began using bottle locks and they’ve really helped me fight this battle.
Out of all the Alpha Security products out there, the simple bottle lock is probably my favorite. For starters, I don’t have a large staff. My employees are limited to a few cashiers, two stockers and me. While I have a camera system, I don’t have anyone actively monitoring the cameras and my staff is usually pretty busy with maintaining full shelves, checking out customers, unloading trucks, so it was important to find a way to stop thieves from stealing my product that could be pretty much a hands off approach.
Second, I face a lot of scrutiny from vendors. There’s a reason some liquor bottles are designed the way they are. These companies want their particular bottle to rise above the competition. So it is often difficult to leverage the need to secure the liquor with the vendors need to put it in the hands of the customer. Bottle locks are a great solution. They don’t interfere with packaging or really take away any merchandising aspect of a particular bottle and they let me secure against thieves.
Additionally, I have to also protect my store from potential lawsuits. What if some teenagers get the bright idea to come in and steal some liquor? Then, in their drunken stupor go out and kill someone on the road. There is legal precedent out there that says I can face legal consequences if I didn’t do enough to secure the product away from the hands of those that are not able to legally purchase. Crazy to think that is even a remote possibility, but it has happened and will more than likely happen again somewhere. Alpha Security and bottle locks can at the very least provide you with some peace of mind.
Finally, I have to put my bottom line at the front of any decision I make. With every expense, I must see that there is a true return on investment. Alpha Security provides me with that return and I see it every day in my stores. Not only are my shelves consistently stocked with the merchandise my customer’s want, I am deterring criminal activity in my store by simply popping a top on a bottle of the good stuff.
Get more information on Bottle Locks, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Like you and many other retailers out there, I’m pretty tired of people stealing my stuff! One of my biggest pains and areas of greatest loss is my alcohol section. It seems like every day I find that I’m missing some liquor, or a good bottle (or 5) of wine. What can I do… what can you do to stop this! Why should I have to pay for someone’s party!!! Not long ago, I began using bottle locks and they’ve really helped me fight this battle.
Out of all the Alpha Security products out there, the simple bottle lock is probably my favorite. For starters, I don’t have a large staff. My employees are limited to a few cashiers, two stockers and me. While I have a camera system, I don’t have anyone actively monitoring the cameras and my staff is usually pretty busy with maintaining full shelves, checking out customers, unloading trucks, so it was important to find a way to stop thieves from stealing my product that could be pretty much a hands off approach.
Second, I face a lot of scrutiny from vendors. There’s a reason some liquor bottles are designed the way they are. These companies want their particular bottle to rise above the competition. So it is often difficult to leverage the need to secure the liquor with the vendors need to put it in the hands of the customer. Bottle locks are a great solution. They don’t interfere with packaging or really take away any merchandising aspect of a particular bottle and they let me secure against thieves.
Additionally, I have to also protect my store from potential lawsuits. What if some teenagers get the bright idea to come in and steal some liquor? Then, in their drunken stupor go out and kill someone on the road. There is legal precedent out there that says I can face legal consequences if I didn’t do enough to secure the product away from the hands of those that are not able to legally purchase. Crazy to think that is even a remote possibility, but it has happened and will more than likely happen again somewhere. Alpha Security and bottle locks can at the very least provide you with some peace of mind.
Finally, I have to put my bottom line at the front of any decision I make. With every expense, I must see that there is a true return on investment. Alpha Security provides me with that return and I see it every day in my stores. Not only are my shelves consistently stocked with the merchandise my customer’s want, I am deterring criminal activity in my store by simply popping a top on a bottle of the good stuff.
Get more information on Bottle Locks, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Bottle Service-5 WC blog 140
Nightclub-5
Bottle Locks-3
Innovation With Bottle Service Ensures A Competitive Edge For A Nightclub
Owning a business and making sure it is profitable is no small accomplishment. Whether it is a retail business, a restaurant, a hair salon or a bar in order to remain successful, a business owner needs to be aware of challenges from competition and be prepared to find innovations to his/her operation. Sometimes a small business is able to build a loyal customer base and that is enough. Other owners seek to expand to multiple locations and still others set their sights on regional or national growth. I think of my local barber who has a small shop. A regular clientele that visits him and over the past 15 years or so, he has not indicated any desire to increase his business by relocating to another area. Some companies seek to establish a “Brand” that sets them apart from a competitor. Think of several popular restaurant chains, one is known for its clown, one is known for the red haired girl it is named after and another is well known for the King who represents it to the public. So, what does this mean for a nightclub owner? Even if a club owner is not seeking to expand, he or she must still be innovative, establish a brand or risk clients going elsewhere. One way to do this is to start a bottle service which includes using bottle locks.
Bottle services do not need to be complicated to institute in a club. Think of it as offering a VIP experience for customers who are willing to purchase it as a package deal. Establish special tables or booths near the band, DJ or dancefloor and reserve them for groups who purchase the service. Have a waiter or waitress who is trained as a bartender designated as the group’s host or hostess for the night. A package should include a bottle or two of a top of the line wine, champagne or spirit and mixers. The host will have bottle locks on the drinks so that the only person able to open the bottles and pour is the host or hostess. Using a special detachment key, the server can open the bottles and mix drinks ensuring that proper amounts are poured only to members of the group.
Who would be interested in paying for a VIP experience at a nightclub? Class reunion celebrations, birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties or even company holiday parties. Depending on how you set up your bottle service, it could be for a few friends wanting to have a night out receiving the celebrity treatment. The sky is the limit as it is up to the club owner to decide how big the offerings will be, from a red carpet to a limousine package.
Aside from a bottle service, what other innovations could be implemented in a nightclub to remain competitive? Does the club use a live band? Perhaps once a week open to new up and coming bands. Consider rearranging furniture. While it may sound a little odd, something as small as moving tables and booths around in different arrangements can give the club a new feel. My background is in retail so the best way I can relate this is to consider when you walk into a store you frequently shop at and once in a while things are moved around. Fixtures are moved, merchandise is in a totally different location, etc. A big part of this is to give the customer the feeling that everything is new. Were you aware that in retail, everything from lighting to promotion signing affect the way consumers shop and spend money? In a similar manner, the speed of music can affect how much your customers are drinking. Look at signage and décor in your nightclub and change it occasionally to give a new feel.
Operating a profitable nightclub can be challenge, especially when a competitor moves into the area. Remaining responsive and innovative to market changes is key to staying profitable. One innovation I strongly recommend is to start a bottle service with bottle locks and a staff focused on providing a superior customer experience. This winning combination can only mean strong sales for years to come.
Bottle Service is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Owning a business and making sure it is profitable is no small accomplishment. Whether it is a retail business, a restaurant, a hair salon or a bar in order to remain successful, a business owner needs to be aware of challenges from competition and be prepared to find innovations to his/her operation. Sometimes a small business is able to build a loyal customer base and that is enough. Other owners seek to expand to multiple locations and still others set their sights on regional or national growth. I think of my local barber who has a small shop. A regular clientele that visits him and over the past 15 years or so, he has not indicated any desire to increase his business by relocating to another area. Some companies seek to establish a “Brand” that sets them apart from a competitor. Think of several popular restaurant chains, one is known for its clown, one is known for the red haired girl it is named after and another is well known for the King who represents it to the public. So, what does this mean for a nightclub owner? Even if a club owner is not seeking to expand, he or she must still be innovative, establish a brand or risk clients going elsewhere. One way to do this is to start a bottle service which includes using bottle locks.
Bottle services do not need to be complicated to institute in a club. Think of it as offering a VIP experience for customers who are willing to purchase it as a package deal. Establish special tables or booths near the band, DJ or dancefloor and reserve them for groups who purchase the service. Have a waiter or waitress who is trained as a bartender designated as the group’s host or hostess for the night. A package should include a bottle or two of a top of the line wine, champagne or spirit and mixers. The host will have bottle locks on the drinks so that the only person able to open the bottles and pour is the host or hostess. Using a special detachment key, the server can open the bottles and mix drinks ensuring that proper amounts are poured only to members of the group.
Who would be interested in paying for a VIP experience at a nightclub? Class reunion celebrations, birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties or even company holiday parties. Depending on how you set up your bottle service, it could be for a few friends wanting to have a night out receiving the celebrity treatment. The sky is the limit as it is up to the club owner to decide how big the offerings will be, from a red carpet to a limousine package.
Aside from a bottle service, what other innovations could be implemented in a nightclub to remain competitive? Does the club use a live band? Perhaps once a week open to new up and coming bands. Consider rearranging furniture. While it may sound a little odd, something as small as moving tables and booths around in different arrangements can give the club a new feel. My background is in retail so the best way I can relate this is to consider when you walk into a store you frequently shop at and once in a while things are moved around. Fixtures are moved, merchandise is in a totally different location, etc. A big part of this is to give the customer the feeling that everything is new. Were you aware that in retail, everything from lighting to promotion signing affect the way consumers shop and spend money? In a similar manner, the speed of music can affect how much your customers are drinking. Look at signage and décor in your nightclub and change it occasionally to give a new feel.
Operating a profitable nightclub can be challenge, especially when a competitor moves into the area. Remaining responsive and innovative to market changes is key to staying profitable. One innovation I strongly recommend is to start a bottle service with bottle locks and a staff focused on providing a superior customer experience. This winning combination can only mean strong sales for years to come.
Bottle Service is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
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Liquor bottle security-3
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Are Staff Stealing Spirits? Bottle Locks Improve Liquor Bottle Security
Liquor store owners and managers are aware of the risk to the business from shoplifting, but how aware are you of the threat to your business from your employees? Along with the obvious chance of cash theft, employees can also steal product from your business. It can be difficult to identify and prevent cash shortages, but how do you prevent internal merchandise theft? Were you aware that in retail as a whole, employee theft accounts for more theft and shortage than shoplifting? Preventative measures for liquor bottle security can protect the business against both shoplifting and employee theft. Using bottle locks and electronic article surveillance antennas can prevent a lot of merchandise theft. In fact, it appears from the 2014-2015 Global Retail Theft Report that there is a strong correlation between the amount of money invested by a retailer on Loss Prevention spending and the amount of shortage experienced. Shortage tended to decline when money was invested in various Loss Prevention systems, including security personnel, closed circuit television and retail anti-theft devices.
Since we are focusing on liquor store businesses, the use of bottle locks is a valuable means of protecting against theft. Liquor bottles come in many different shapes and sizes and Alpha Security makes locks that can fit almost every bottle design on the market. The locks are placed over the cap and depending on the type of lock used they cover much of the neck of the bottle as well. The lock prevents a thief from being able to open a bottle or pry the cap off. Bottle locks are designed to activate to an electronic article surveillance antenna if a bottle with a lock on it is carried in range of the antenna. The alarm alerts store staff of an attempted breach. Whether it is a shoplifter or an employee trying to steal, liquor bottle security will protect merchandise.
If you are a small business owner, here are some interesting statistics for you from the website statisticbrain.com (research date September 7th, 2015):
Employee Theft Statistics:
– Amount stolen annually from U.S. Businesses by employees $50,000,000,000
– Percent of annual revenues lost annually to theft or fraud 7%
– Percent of employees who have stolen at least once from their employer 75%
– Percent of employees who have stolen at least twice from their employer 37.5%
– Percent of all business bankruptcies caused by employee theft 33%
Additionally, the report finds that the average time office fraud lasts before it is detected is two years. In my years of Loss Prevention experience, I found that the difficulty with employees was that frequently their theft started out in small amounts and often infrequently. It might be a dollar here or there from the register for a snack during break. It could be minor merchandise theft in the beginning, such as a candy bar from a checkout lane or a drink from a food service area. Over time employees tend to become bolder and test the store with theft that becomes more noticeable. Eventually the employee gets greedy and takes something substantial or more readily identified. For a small business owner of a liquor store, how long can you afford losses before employee theft puts you in the 33% declaring bankruptcy due to theft?
By installing EAS antennas at all store entrances and putting Alpha Security bottle locks on merchandise located both on the sales floor as well as the stock room you can quickly begin to deter liquor theft by employees. It is also important to ensure that owners and managers always staff the store, open to close with at least two employees as a check and balance. If one person is alone in the building, there is no one to be aware if bottles are removed through EAS antennas, setting off the alarm.
Make liquor bottle security a priority for your store. Find out about all of the bottle locks available to you from Alpha Security. Don’t let your employees send your business into bankruptcy.
Need information on liquor bottle security? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Liquor store owners and managers are aware of the risk to the business from shoplifting, but how aware are you of the threat to your business from your employees? Along with the obvious chance of cash theft, employees can also steal product from your business. It can be difficult to identify and prevent cash shortages, but how do you prevent internal merchandise theft? Were you aware that in retail as a whole, employee theft accounts for more theft and shortage than shoplifting? Preventative measures for liquor bottle security can protect the business against both shoplifting and employee theft. Using bottle locks and electronic article surveillance antennas can prevent a lot of merchandise theft. In fact, it appears from the 2014-2015 Global Retail Theft Report that there is a strong correlation between the amount of money invested by a retailer on Loss Prevention spending and the amount of shortage experienced. Shortage tended to decline when money was invested in various Loss Prevention systems, including security personnel, closed circuit television and retail anti-theft devices.
Since we are focusing on liquor store businesses, the use of bottle locks is a valuable means of protecting against theft. Liquor bottles come in many different shapes and sizes and Alpha Security makes locks that can fit almost every bottle design on the market. The locks are placed over the cap and depending on the type of lock used they cover much of the neck of the bottle as well. The lock prevents a thief from being able to open a bottle or pry the cap off. Bottle locks are designed to activate to an electronic article surveillance antenna if a bottle with a lock on it is carried in range of the antenna. The alarm alerts store staff of an attempted breach. Whether it is a shoplifter or an employee trying to steal, liquor bottle security will protect merchandise.
If you are a small business owner, here are some interesting statistics for you from the website statisticbrain.com (research date September 7th, 2015):
Employee Theft Statistics:
– Amount stolen annually from U.S. Businesses by employees $50,000,000,000
– Percent of annual revenues lost annually to theft or fraud 7%
– Percent of employees who have stolen at least once from their employer 75%- Percent of employees who have stolen at least twice from their employer 37.5%
– Percent of all business bankruptcies caused by employee theft 33%
Additionally, the report finds that the average time office fraud lasts before it is detected is two years. In my years of Loss Prevention experience, I found that the difficulty with employees was that frequently their theft started out in small amounts and often infrequently. It might be a dollar here or there from the register for a snack during break. It could be minor merchandise theft in the beginning, such as a candy bar from a checkout lane or a drink from a food service area. Over time employees tend to become bolder and test the store with theft that becomes more noticeable. Eventually the employee gets greedy and takes something substantial or more readily identified. For a small business owner of a liquor store, how long can you afford losses before employee theft puts you in the 33% declaring bankruptcy due to theft?
By installing EAS antennas at all store entrances and putting Alpha Security bottle locks on merchandise located both on the sales floor as well as the stock room you can quickly begin to deter liquor theft by employees. It is also important to ensure that owners and managers always staff the store, open to close with at least two employees as a check and balance. If one person is alone in the building, there is no one to be aware if bottles are removed through EAS antennas, setting off the alarm.
Make liquor bottle security a priority for your store. Find out about all of the bottle locks available to you from Alpha Security. Don’t let your employees send your business into bankruptcy.
Need information on liquor bottle security? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
