CP Labels-3 , EAS-1 , Stop Shoplifting-1
The Moose Is Loose
We dealt with a booster a couple months ago that was using an accomplice nicknamed Moose. After we talked to him and got some information and names from him, the rampant thefts stopped. Now he’s back. We made some gains with what he gave us though. He said their group was aware of our electronic article surveillance methods, and they generally chose to avoid our stores because of them. He said when they came in the front door they always looked for the telltale Checkpoint pedestals, and would even go so far as checking to see if the power lights were on. The lady that boosts with him has even stopped carrying a foil-lined purse since many versions of Checkpoint Systems can detect those and sound an alarm as the suspects enter. They know what they can defeat and what they don’t stand a chance against. If retailers want to stop shoplifting, they have to use the tools that are available and know which ones really work to deter thieves.
When Moose and his friend entered my store Monday night, they were greeted and offered help. After that, they used the next six minutes to explore the aisles and steal $75 worth of merchandise. I type that with a smile on my face because it could have been so much more. They walked down the side and went to the hair regrowth formulas. That was what they stole from us on their first visit a few months ago. Now, however, they are wrapped up tight with Alpha Spider Wraps and they know they can’t get them off. Then they went to the oral hygiene section and checked the teeth whitening kits. Since those are encased in Alpha Keepers, they paused only for a moment there too. Then they ventured over to the denture creams. That is where they stopped and stuffed her bag full. All ten boxes are gone. When I get those items back next week in our delivery, we will have to do something different. Otherwise, I know they will just keep taking them every week. First of all, they will definitely have Checkpoint Labels adhered to them before they go on the shelves. We have our store name and city printed on our stock of Checkpoint Labels, so in addition to the obvious protection they also offer a source of identification for the police if they are stolen. After they left that aisle, they went over to the cough and cold section. They stopped in front of the nose strips that help people breathe, but those are all in Alpha Keepers too.
My store was not her first victim of the week though. I had just had an alert sent to my store from one of our stores that is in a town about half an hour away. The same woman had been there but with a different guy the day before. She swiped all their hair regrowth boxes and stuffed them down in the same purse she brought to my store. I asked that store manager what she had been using on the packages, and she said nothing. I asked her if she planned to continue that plan or if maybe she was considering adding Checkpoint Labels or some other tool to prevent the couple from wiping her out again. The thing is this woman will keep coming back every week, usually with that same huge bag, but many times with a different guy. We can’t count on her to change her ways, but we can make changes and take the necessary steps to stop her. We have too many tools at our disposal to let her get away with this.
For more information on Checkpoint Labels, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
We dealt with a booster a couple months ago that was using an accomplice nicknamed Moose. After we talked to him and got some information and names from him, the rampant thefts stopped. Now he’s back. We made some gains with what he gave us though. He said their group was aware of our electronic article surveillance methods, and they generally chose to avoid our stores because of them. He said when they came in the front door they always looked for the telltale Checkpoint pedestals, and would even go so far as checking to see if the power lights were on. The lady that boosts with him has even stopped carrying a foil-lined purse since many versions of Checkpoint Systems can detect those and sound an alarm as the suspects enter. They know what they can defeat and what they don’t stand a chance against. If retailers want to stop shoplifting, they have to use the tools that are available and know which ones really work to deter thieves.
When Moose and his friend entered my store Monday night, they were greeted and offered help. After that, they used the next six minutes to explore the aisles and steal $75 worth of merchandise. I type that with a smile on my face because it could have been so much more. They walked down the side and went to the hair regrowth formulas. That was what they stole from us on their first visit a few months ago. Now, however, they are wrapped up tight with Alpha Spider Wraps and they know they can’t get them off. Then they went to the oral hygiene section and checked the teeth whitening kits. Since those are encased in Alpha Keepers, they paused only for a moment there too. Then they ventured over to the denture creams. That is where they stopped and stuffed her bag full. All ten boxes are gone. When I get those items back next week in our delivery, we will have to do something different. Otherwise, I know they will just keep taking them every week. First of al, they will definitely have Checkpoint Labels adhered to them before they go on the shelves. We have our store name and city printed on our stock of Checkpoint Labels, so in addition to the obvious protection they also offer a source of identification for the police if they are stolen. After they left that aisle, they went over to the cough and cold section. They stopped in front of the nose strips that help people breathe, but those are all in Alpha Keepers too.
My store was not her first victim of the week though. I had just had an alert sent to my store from one of our stores that is in a town about half an hour away. The same woman had been there but with a different guy the day before. She swiped all their hair regrowth boxes and stuffed them down in the same purse she brought to my store. I asked that store manager what she had been using on the packages, and she said nothing. I asked her if she planned to continue that plan or if maybe she was considering adding Checkpoint Labels or some other tool to prevent the couple from wiping her out again. The thing is this woman will keep coming back every week, usually with that same huge bag, but many times with a different guy. We can’t count on her to change her ways, but we can make changes and take the necessary steps to stop her. We have too many tools at our disposal to let her get away with this.
For more information on Checkpoint Labels, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
CP Systems-2, Retail Theft Prevention-2 , Checkpoint Labels-3 , Stop Shoplifting-1
Dwelling In The Past Won’t Stop Theft
I have transferred to a different location in our company. Anytime I move to a different store, I feel it is imperative to identify sales trends, regular theft targets, and other key information that will help me be an effective manager. The one thing I can always count on from the crew is: “Well, this is how we’ve always done it.” Some things are location specific and they do work, so I have no intention of coming in and making store wide sweeping changes. I have different ideas on how to stop shoplifting though, and sometimes my efforts meet a lot of resistance. All of our stores are equipped with Checkpoint Systems, so that’s one thing I am thankful for and I want to use every tool available to me that works in conjunction with it.
One thing I have discovered in this store is they have two locking glass cases, one in high end facial care and the other in the diet pill section. I work for a small retail pharmacy, so we are not talking about a very large building. The diet section is directly in front of the pharmacy counter and the facial section is directly across from the main front checkout register. I’m willing to bet that sales in these high retail and fairly good margin items are near zero. There are call buttons on both of them, but neither works. My plan is to remove both of these locking cases today. The employees think I’m making a big mistake and these items will be stolen immediately. But I have a plan to continue to protect these items from being stolen, but to use proven retail theft prevention tools. First of all, all of them will now have Checkpoint labels adhered to the packages. Most theft will be deterred by placing them on the outside of the boxes. First of all, most theft is opportunistic, meaning the person came to purchase the item but sees a chance to steal it instead. If the Checkpoint labels are on the front of the package, it sends a clear message to the average shopper that the item is being monitored, and most people will decide taking the chance just isn’t worth getting caught. To a booster it sends a completely different message. We place the label directly on the front so that if they attempt to remove it, there will be obvious damage left. They know they will receive less money for it from their buyer.
I have other tools at my disposal if the Checkpoint labels are not enough to stop theft. The other tools are compatible with Checkpoint Systems so I have many options if I need to employ more tactics. The most important thing to remember is that locking cases are great for some businesses, but they are not the answer to all theft problems. They also stop sales. I imagine when most customers come in to purchase any of those facial items or diet pills; they press the call button (that doesn’t work). Then when no employee ever comes to help them, they either choose another lower priced item not in the case or worse, they leave empty handed. They may buy other items and then forget to even ask for the stuff they wanted out of the case. If I wanted to try one of those diet pills that are advertised on television, that is my business, and I shouldn’t have to go up front and beg someone to open the case for me. The same goes for high dollar wrinkle creams. Those are personal and private choices, and customer service shouldn’t be impeded by our tools for retail theft prevention.
For more information on Checkpoint Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
I have transferred to a different location in our company. Anytime I move to a different store, I feel it is imperative to identify sales trends, regular theft targets, and other key information that will help me be an effective manager. The one thing I can always count on from the crew is: “Well, this is how we’ve always done it.” Some things are location specific and they do work, so I have no intention of coming in and making store wide sweeping changes. I have different ideas on how to stop shoplifting though, and sometimes my efforts meet a lot of resistance. All of our stores are equipped with Checkpoint Systems, so that’s one thing I am thankful for and I want to use every tool available to me that works in conjunction with it.
One thing I have discovered in this store is they have two locking glass cases, one in high end facial care and the other in the diet pill section. I work for a small retail pharmacy, so we are not talking about a very large building. The diet section is directly in front of the pharmacy counter and the facial section is directly across from the main front checkout register. I’m willing to bet that sales in these high retail and fairly good margin items are near zero. There are call buttons on both of them, but neither works. My plan is to remove both of these locking cases today. The employees think I’m making a big mistake and these items will be stolen immediately. But I have a plan to continue to protect these items from being stolen, but to use proven retail theft prevention tools. First of all, all of them will now have Checkpoint labels adhered to the packages. Most theft will be deterred by placing them on the outside of the boxes. First of all, most theft is opportunistic, meaning the person came to purchase the item but sees a chance to steal it instead. If the Checkpoint labels are on the front of the package, it sends a clear message to the average shopper that the item is being monitored, and most people will decide taking the chance just isn’t worth getting caught. To a booster it sends a completely different message. We place the label directly on the front so that if they attempt to remove it, there will be obvious damage left. They know they will receive less money for it from their buyer.
I have other tools at my disposal if the Checkpoint labels are not enough to stop theft. The other tools are compatible with Checkpoint Systems so I have many options if I need to employ more tactics. The most important thing to remember is that locking cases are great for some businesses, but they are not the answer to all theft problems. They also stop sales. I imagine when most customers come in to purchase any of those facial items or diet pills; they press the call button (that doesn’t work). Then when no employee ever comes to help them, they either choose another lower priced item not in the case or worse, they leave empty handed. They may buy other items and then forget to even ask for the stuff they wanted out of the case. If I wanted to try one of those diet pills that are advertised on television, that is my business, and I shouldn’t have to go up front and beg someone to open the case for me. The same goes for high dollar wrinkle creams. Those are personal and private choices, and customer service shouldn’t be impeded by our tools for retail theft prevention.
For more information on Checkpoint Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Clothing Security-4 WC blog 33
Clothing Security tags-3
Checkpoint tags-3
Make Clothing Security Part Of Your Inventory Action Plan
The New Year is approaching and with it a new round of inventories for retailers. Anyone who has been in retail for more than a year has probably experienced inventory in one form or another. You may have been involved in the preparation or the actual count and verification process. Following inventory, stores will receive results and make action plans to address high shortage departments. If your store is a specialty business, such as only selling apparel, you may have high shortage SKU’s. For the purposes of this article, I would like to address clothing security and the things that should be included in a shortage action plan, including the use of clothing security tags.
There are a lot of factors that can come into play in creating clothing shortage. Obviously theft is a major contributor, both internal and external. Operational factors play a role in shortage also. Does the store utilize clothing security of any type, such as Checkpoint tags? If not, I would recommend that a sound shortage action plan should include clothing security of some type. If the store does use clothing security tags, who places them on the merchandise and how consistent is the placement? Security tags on clothing act as a deterrent to theft by being visible to thieves and they will activate a store EAS system if the store has one. When placement of tags is inconsistent it negates the deterrent value because thieves simply look for the items that are not tagged.
Over the last 25 years, I have been involved in store inventories in one capacity or another. I have counted merchandise, prepped stores for inventory, audited inventory and I have been the designated “inventory captain”, overseeing inventory for the store from start to finish. I have also learned that the creation of shortage action plans can be a team effort or dumped on the Loss Prevention department with the expectation that most of the shortage is theft related and it should be Loss Prevention’s job to address it. I have also seen shortage action plans created that look very good on paper but there is no follow up or accountability built in the plan. Many stores do not have an in-store Loss Prevention staff to create a shortage action plan after an inventory. In those cases, it falls on a store management team to create the plan. Where there is a Loss Prevention department, even if it is a district level manager, stores should partner with Loss Prevention and seek assistance in the formation of an effective plan. From an operational side it may be the store manager commits to having an associate dedicated to auditing clothing security tagging for consistency. Stores can also incorporate in a plan specific training for fitting room attendants and cashier training that includes shortage prevention strategies like looking inside boxes, comforters, and purses for possible hidden merchandise. Training should include proper response to EAS activations, and handling the interaction if unpaid merchandise is located during an alarm response.
Action items are good but two more components that are musts on an effective shortage plan are assignments of responsibility for an action item and time frames. Holding a specific person(s) accountable to an action item makes it more likely that item will be completed. When a plan is vague there is a tendency for no one to take responsibility. The second must is having a target date for follow up or completion. Let’s say an assistant store manager is going to audit Checkpoint tags on jeans, or clothing security tags on leather coats, there need to be expectations on the plan that say how frequently audits will be completed. This may be once a week or once every two weeks. The follow up for the assistant manager may be a results review with the store manager once a week. The other side of the equation is if the assistant manager is finding opportunities, they need to hold the tagger(s) accountable.
Checkpoint tags and other clothing security devices are an effective means to preventing clothing theft and can improve inventory loss due to theft. If your store is experiencing shortage in clothing and you can use some help to get it under control look into what Checkpoint Systems can do for you.
For more information about clothing security contact us or call 1.855.426.0547
A new year comes with a new round of inventories for retailers. Anyone who has been in retail for more than a year has probably experienced inventory in one form or another. You may have been involved in the preparation or the actual count and verification process. Following inventory, stores will receive results and make action plans to address high shortage departments. If your store is a specialty business, such as only selling apparel, you may have high shortage SKU’s. For the purposes of this article, I would like to address clothing security and the things that should be included in a shortage action plan, including the use of clothing security tags.
There are a lot of factors that can come into play in creating clothing shortage. Obviously theft is a major contributor, both internal and external. Operational factors play a role in shortage also. Does the store utilize clothing security of any type, such as Checkpoint tags? If not, I would recommend that a sound shortage action plan should include clothing security of some type. If the store does use clothing security tags, who places them on the merchandise and how consistent is the placement? Security tags on clothing act as a deterrent to theft by being visible to thieves and they will activate a store EAS system if the store has one. When placement of tags is inconsistent it negates the deterrent value because thieves simply look for the items that are not tagged.
Over the last 25 years, I have been involved in store inventories in one capacity or another. I have counted merchandise, prepped stores for inventory, audited inventory and I have been the designated “inventory captain”, overseeing inventory for the store from start to finish. I have also learned that the creation of shortage action plans can be a team effort or dumped on the Loss Prevention department with the expectation that most of the shortage is theft related and it should be Loss Prevention’s job to address it. I have also seen shortage action plans created that look very good on paper but there is no follow up or accountability built in the plan. Many stores do not have an in-store Loss Prevention staff to create a shortage action plan after an inventory. In those cases, it falls on a store management team to create the plan. Where there is a Loss Prevention department, even if it is a district level manager, stores should partner with Loss Prevention and seek assistance in the formation of an effective plan. From an operational side it may be the store manager commits to having an associate dedicated to auditing clothing security tagging for consistency. Stores can also incorporate in a plan specific training for fitting room attendants and cashier training that includes shortage prevention strategies like looking inside boxes, comforters, and purses for possible hidden merchandise. Training should include proper response to EAS activations, and handling the interaction if unpaid merchandise is located during an alarm response.
Action items are good but two more components that are musts on an effective shortage plan are assignments of responsibility for an action item and time frames. Holding a specific person(s) accountable to an action item makes it more likely that item will be completed. When a plan is vague there is a tendency for no one to take responsibility. The second must is having a target date for follow up or completion. Let’s say an assistant store manager is going to audit Checkpoint tags on jeans, or clothing security tags on leather coats, there need to be expectations on the plan that say how frequently audits will be completed. This may be once a week or once every two weeks. The follow up for the assistant manager may be a results review with the store manager once a week. The other side of the equation is if the assistant manager is finding opportunities, they need to hold the tagger(s) accountable.
Checkpoint tags and other clothing security devices are an effective means to preventing clothing theft and can improve inventory loss due to theft. If your store is experiencing shortage in clothing and you can use some help to get it under control look into what Checkpoint Systems can do for you.
For more information about clothing security contact us or call 1.855.426.0547
CP N10-3, Alpha Thunder Tag-2, Medical Field-2 , CP Systems-2, Alpha Technology-1
Protect Your Assets With Checkpoint
As technology continues to advance for personal use at home, we have found ways to protect our property with different tools and applications. The same should go for the electronics we use at work as well. At my store, we have had hand-held scanner units since I started with them almost fifteen years ago. There was a short period over that stint that we had to watch those hand-held units like hawks because they had a demand on the black market. If they were left unattended on the counter or in a cart, they were as good as gone. Then they would show up on some online auction site within hours. We have Checkpoint Systems installed in our stores and we had to start protecting them with Checkpoint labels, so if anyone attempted to conceal and steal them, the alarm would sound. Now we have all been issued new digital tablets at store level. It is now my biggest fear to have to call my boss and tell him mine has been liberated from the front checkout.
Many clinics and offices in the medical field have begun to change their check-in system for their patients, and they’re including these digital tablets as part of that new process. When the patient arrives, they receive a tablet at the front desk and they use it to sign in instead of the old pen and clipboard system. This allows the patient to have more control over their input and makes changing billing and address information a lot quicker and easier. It removes the issue of having to decipher the patient’s bad handwriting as well and helps eliminate mistakes. It also puts more of a security burden on the office staff, but there are a couple of simple solutions the medical field can implement to make that transition easier.
There is a pair of tools offered by Checkpoint Systems and Alpha Technology that, when working together, are an effective way to stop any theft of these expensive devices.
First, there is the Checkpoint N10. This is the detection system, and here are some of its specifics:
The pedestals are only 30.5” tall, and the system mounts directly to the wall or door frame. That compact design is what makes it perfect for a small lobby filled with patients. Despite the smaller size, it still offers the same excellent performance. It is compatible with all Checkpoint and Alpha products.
The second tool you need to work with the Checkpoint N10 is the Alpha Thunder Tag. The is what allows the patient to move freely around the lobby and anywhere they are permitted, without having to lock the tablet down to a table with some form of locking cable like banks do with their ink pens. If there is any attempt to remove or disable the Alpha Thunder Tag, it will go into self alarm mode with a 95 decibel sound. And of course, if a patient was to try to steal the digital tablet from the office, that’s when the Checkpoint N10 will come alive and sound its own alarm.
If your medical office is looking into offering this new check-in system just remember you are going to need to have a plan on how to keep them secure. Many of your employees will never let their cell phones leave their sight, but they don’t always monitor and take care of the office equipment with the same diligence. With an investment into these two devices working together for your office, you won’t have to worry about your investment into digital tablets.
For more information on Checkpoint Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
As technology continues to advance for personal use at home, we have found ways to protect our property with different tools and applications. The same should go for the electronics we use at work as well. At my store, we have had hand-held scanner units since I started with them almost fifteen years ago. There was a short period over that stint that we had to watch those hand-held units like hawks because they had a demand on the black market. If they were left unattended on the counter or in a cart, they were as good as gone. Then they would show up on some online auction site within hours. We have Checkpoint Systems installed in our stores and we had to start protecting them with Checkpoint labels, so if anyone attempted to conceal and steal them, the alarm would sound. Now we have all been issued new digital tablets at store level. It is now my biggest fear to have to call my boss and tell him mine has been liberated from the front checkout.
Many clinics and offices in the medical field have begun to change their check-in system for their patients, and they’re including these digital tablets as part of that new process. When the patient arrives, they receive a tablet at the front desk and they use it to sign in instead of the old pen and clipboard system. This allows the patient to have more control over their input and makes changing billing and address information a lot quicker and easier. It removes the issue of having to decipher the patient’s bad handwriting as well and helps eliminate mistakes. It also puts more of a security burden on the office staff, but there are a couple of simple solutions the medical field can implement to make that transition easier.
There is a pair of tools offered by Checkpoint Systems and Alpha Technology that, when working together, are an effective way to stop any theft of these expensive devices. First, there is the Checkpoint N10. This is the detection system, and here are some of its specifics: The pedestals are only 30.5” tall, and the system mounts directly to the wall or door frame. That compact design is what makes it perfect for a small lobby filled with patients. Despite the smaller size, it still offers the same excellent performance. It is compatible with all Checkpoint and Alpha products.The second tool you need to work with the Checkpoint N10 is the Alpha Thunder Tag. The is what allows the patient to move freely around the lobby and anywhere they are permitted, without having to lock the tablet down to a table with some form of locking cable like banks do with their ink pens. If there is any attempt to remove or disable the Alpha Thunder Tag, it will go into self alarm mode with a 95 decibel sound. And of course, if a patient was to try to steal the digital tablet from the office, that’s when the Checkpoint N10 will come alive and sound its own alarm.
If your medical office is looking into offering this new check-in system just remember you are going to need to have a plan on how to keep them secure. Many of your employees will never let their cell phones leave their sight, but they don’t always monitor and take care of the office equipment with the same diligence. With an investment into these two devices working together for your office, you won’t have to worry about your investment into digital tablets.
For more information on Checkpoint Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
RWHBLOG15
Show the Shoplifter Their Poor Business Case and Use Deterrence to Stop Shoplifting!
Deterrence: This is the real answer if one wants to stop shoplifting. Everyone in my profession loves to catch the shoplifter and bring him or her to justice but the damage is already done by that time. Your merchandise has left the floor and is possibly damaged and not resalable; you have expended resources capturing the thief; your customers have been exposed to an apprehension in your store, giving them pause about how safe it is to shop in your store; and now you have to choose to prosecute and expend more resources. Wouldn’t it be better if the shoplifter decided your store was the wrong place to be shoplifting?
I argue that it would and am sure you will agree that preventing that shoplifting in the first place is the best answer. Shoplifting is a growing crime and now has outgrown internal theft as your number one loss causing threat as a retailer. What can we do to prevent the crime and deter the shoplifter from targeting your store?
Many of you already have one potential solution: strong customer service that makes the shoplifter feel as though he or she can never be alone in your store to do their crime. Combine that with electronic article surveillance (EAS) and consistent policies surrounding how your staff ensures that EAS tags are placed on merchandise and that anti-shoplifting alarms are responded to appropriately, and you have a solid deterrence program as well as a solid anti-shoplifting response program.
Checkpoint systems, a world leader in retail theft prevention offers many strategies and options designed to stop shoplifting in its tracks. You see, the same strategy that catches shoplifters works to deter shoplifters but it is even more important to execute it consistently and purposely. Checkpoint system has a variety of hard and soft tags, specialized packaging, spider-wraps, and EAS antenna configurations to protect a very diverse inventory of merchandise. If you take advantage of the variety of configurations available to you, your Checkpoint systems will do the work. Every time an alarm goes off on your anti-shoplifting system and your staff responds quickly and appropriately to deal with the alarm it reinforces to the potential shoplifter that this store has systems in place to stop shoplifting and takes those systems seriously. When they go to your high dollar merchandise and find spider-wraps or Alpha cases on the merchandise, their frustration increases as they know they have to overcome those anti-shoplifting devices if they are to get their hands on your merchandise. Every time they see you respond to alarms or address tampering with packages by detaining the shoplifter and calling the police it is reinforced in the shoplifter’s mind that there is a cost to doing his kind of business in your business. This is what you want!
Your Checkpoint systems are now not only catching shoplifters, they are working to stop shoplifting altogether in your store. Shoplifters are businessmen too (maybe just not good ones). They have to evaluate their ROI (return on investment) and balance risk against gain. They understand that there is risk in their business but they try to balance that risk with the potential reward of getting their hands on your merchandise and reselling it. When that risk cause by an increased potential for getting caught because they have to take an inordinate amount of time overcoming your Checkpoint systems or have to expose themselves to the eyes of your staff who are approaching them regularly to provide them good customer service, their ROI and risk versus gain does not make a solid business case for shoplifting in your store.
You have now proven the thesis of this blog: Deterrence is the real answer to stop shoplifting! The good news is that we have also shown that it can be done at the same time as you are trying to capture the shoplifters and can easily become part of your business operations. Let’s make shoplifters rethink their business case when it comes to doing business in your business – put your Checkpoint systems to work for you!
For more information on Checkpoint Systems contact us: 1.770.426.0547 or www.antishoplifting.net.
Deterrence: This is the real answer if one wants to stop shoplifting. Everyone in my profession loves to catch the shoplifter and bring him or her to justice but the damage is already done by that time. Your merchandise has left the floor and is possibly damaged and not resalable; you have expended resources capturing the thief; your customers have been exposed to an apprehension in your store, giving them pause about how safe it is to shop in your store; and now you have to choose to prosecute and expend more resources. Wouldn’t it be better if the shoplifter decided your store was the wrong place to be shoplifting?
I argue that it would and am sure you will agree that preventing that shoplifting in the first place is the best answer. Shoplifting is a growing crime and now has outgrown internal theft as your number one loss causing threat as a retailer. What can we do to prevent the crime and deter the shoplifter from targeting your store?
Many of you already have one potential solution: strong customer service that makes the shoplifter feel as though he or she can never be alone in your store to do their crime. Combine that with electronic article surveillance (EAS) and consistent policies surrounding how your staff ensures that EAS tags are placed on merchandise and that anti-shoplifting alarms are responded to appropriately, and you have a solid deterrence program as well as a solid anti-shoplifting response program.
Checkpoint systems, a world leader in retail theft prevention offers many strategies and options designed to stop shoplifting in its tracks. You see, the same strategy that catches shoplifters works to deter shoplifters but it is even more important to execute it consistently and purposely. Checkpoint system has a variety of hard and soft tags, specialized packaging, spider-wraps, and EAS antenna configurations to protect a very diverse inventory of merchandise. If you take advantage of the variety of configurations available to you, your Checkpoint systems will do the work. Every time an alarm goes off on your anti-shoplifting system and your staff responds quickly and appropriately to deal with the alarm it reinforces to the potential shoplifter that this store has systems in place to stop shoplifting and takes those systems seriously. When they go to your high dollar merchandise and find spider-wraps or Alpha cases on the merchandise, their frustration increases as they know they have to overcome those anti-shoplifting devices if they are to get their hands on your merchandise. Every time they see you respond to alarms or address tampering with packages by detaining the shoplifter and calling the police it is reinforced in the shoplifter’s mind that there is a cost to doing his kind of business in your business. This is what you want!
Your Checkpoint systems are now not only catching shoplifters, they are working to stop shoplifting altogether in your store. Shoplifters are businessmen too (maybe just not good ones). They have to evaluate their ROI (return on investment) and balance risk against gain. They understand that there is risk in their business but they try to balance that risk with the potential reward of getting their hands on your merchandise and reselling it. When that risk cause by an increased potential for getting caught because they have to take an inordinate amount of time overcoming your Checkpoint systems or have to expose themselves to the eyes of your staff who are approaching them regularly to provide them good customer service, their ROI and risk versus gain does not make a solid business case for shoplifting in your store.
You have now proven the thesis of this blog: Deterrence is the real answer to stop shoplifting! The good news is that we have also shown that it can be done at the same time as you are trying to capture the shoplifters and can easily become part of your business operations. Let’s make shoplifters rethink their business case when it comes to doing business in your business – put your Checkpoint systems to work for you!
For more information on Checkpoint Systems contact us: 1.770.426.0547 or www.antishoplifting.net.
