sensormatic labels – 4 WC Blog 781
Stop Shoplifting – 3
‘Cents’less Acts Of Violence Can Be Averted With Sensormatic Labels
As I read the news stories on Loss Prevention, retail and even Google searches I find I want to see retailers stop shoplifting more than I ever did in the past. While I have always detested the crime of shoplifting and have had more than my own share of violent encounters, it seems the problem of violence has grown exponentially. I just saw a video on abc7chicago.com of a security guard fighting with a shoplifter in a 99 cent store! You read that correctly a fight in a 99 cent store. I don’t know if it is more shocking that a store selling merchandise valued at less than a dollar has a security guard in it or that a fight broke out in that store. Added to that was the video showed the shoplifter removing something from a bag and then throwing it at the security guard and then tipping over a sunglass fixture. I don’t want to paint the security guard as a totally helpless victim because according to the report he aimed pepper spray at the suspect and it appears he punched her (although it took place after she threw the item at him). Do a Google search of shoplifter fights and things get even uglier. What are store owners to do? Do you just give up and let people steal and hope it isn’t enough to put you out of business? Do you hire security guards (if you can afford them) and risk fights? There is an alternate solution and that is the use of Sensormatic labels and tags to prevent people from trying to steal in the first place.
Before I continue let me make it clear that I am not telling you that the use of electronic article surveillance will stop shoplifting completely. I promise what it will do is reduce your store shrinkage significantly. The installation of Sensormatic pedestals and application of Sensormatic labels to your merchandise have been proven to have a dramatic impact on the amount of shoplifting taking place in a store. It is such a powerful tool that Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. has created a free to use ROI (return on investment) calculator. The calculator assumes a store will reduce shrinkage by about half a percent by installing a complete Sensormatic security system. Ponder the advantages that means for a business. Not only does a store reduce losses which is a victory in and of itself the store also becomes safer.
How do I come to that conclusion? If you reduce the number of shoplifters coming to your location because you have put up obstacles in the form of electronic article surveillance tags and towers you reduce the chances of violent activity by these same people. Shoplifters have a tendency to go to the stores they deem are easy pickings. When the risk of getting caught increases because of anti-theft devices they prefer to go where there is no system in place. Yes, I detest the shoplifters and have a special revulsion towards the violent sort of thief. I would prefer they were all in jail but obviously that is not going to happen. In light of this, I am telling retailers to install a Sensormatic system to drive out this element and shoo them elsewhere.
I watched the video from the 99 cent store several times. I paused and looked carefully at the entrance doorways in the frames that were clear to see. There was no sign of any type of electronic article surveillance tower in the any of those pictures. So let’s recap for clarity’s sake, No Sensormatic labels or pedestals, one belligerent shoplifting suspect throwing merchandise with other customers nearby and one security guard using pepper spray and punching at a shoplifting suspect. To this seasoned Loss Prevention professional it is a recipe for disaster.
Would the store stop shoplifting in this case had they used Sensormatic labels on the merchandise they were selling? At a 99 cent store I would imagine they could have used labels on at least the items that are found to be high shortage for this type of business. Training of employees on how to handle a suspected shoplifter situation would have also been helpful and could have diffused this incident or helped address it in a different manner. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. can help you with training too because employee safety is just as important to them as their client’s financial success.
Whether your store deals in dollars or cents you need to stop shoplifting from taking place. It can cost you a lot of money and it can create a dangerous environment for your customers and employees by encouraging violent crooks to take advantage of your business. Improve your store all around with a Sensormatic system.
Get more information on Sensormatic labels, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
As I read the news stories on Loss Prevention, retail and even Google searches I find I want to see retailers stop shoplifting more than I ever did in the past. While I have always detested the crime of shoplifting and have had more than my own share of violent encounters, it seems the problem of violence has grown exponentially. I just saw a video on abc7chicago.com of a security guard fighting with a shoplifter in a 99 cent store! You read that correctly a fight in a 99 cent store. I don’t know if it is more shocking that a store selling merchandise valued at less than a dollar has a security guard in it or that a fight broke out in that store. Added to that was the video showed the shoplifter removing something from a bag and then throwing it at the security guard and then tipping over a sunglass fixture. I don’t want to paint the security guard as a totally helpless victim because according to the report he aimed pepper spray at the suspect and it appears he punched her (although it took place after she threw the item at him). Do a Google search of shoplifter fights and things get even uglier. What are store owners to do? Do you just give up and let people steal and hope it isn’t enough to put you out of business? Do you hire security guards (if you can afford them) and risk fights? There is an alternate solution and that is the use of Sensormatic labels and tags to prevent people from trying to steal in the first place.
Before I continue let me make it clear that I am not telling you that the use of electronic article surveillance will stop shoplifting completely. I promise what it will do is reduce your store shrinkage significantly. The installation of Sensormatic pedestals and application of Sensormatic labels to your merchandise have been proven to have a dramatic impact on the amount of shoplifting taking place in a store. It is such a powerful tool that Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. has created a free to use ROI (return on investment) calculator. The calculator assumes a store will reduce shrinkage by about half a percent by installing a complete Sensormatic security system. Ponder the advantages that means for a business. Not only does a store reduce losses which is a victory in and of itself the store also becomes safer.
How do I come to that conclusion? If you reduce the number of shoplifters coming to your location because you have put up obstacles in the form of electronic article surveillance tags and towers you reduce the chances of violent activity by these same people. Shoplifters have a tendency to go to the stores they deem are easy pickings. When the risk of getting caught increases because of anti-theft devices they prefer to go where there is no system in place. Yes, I detest the shoplifters and have a special revulsion towards the violent sort of thief. I would prefer they were all in jail but obviously that is not going to happen. In light of this, I am telling retailers to install a Sensormatic system to drive out this element and shoo them elsewhere.
I watched the video from the 99 cent store several times. I paused and looked carefully at the entrance doorways in the frames that were clear to see. There was no sign of any type of electronic article surveillance tower in the any of those pictures. So let’s recap for clarity’s sake, No Sensormatic labels or pedestals, one belligerent shoplifting suspect throwing merchandise with other customers nearby and one security guard using pepper spray and punching at a shoplifting suspect. To this seasoned Loss Prevention professional it is a recipe for disaster.
Would the store stop shoplifting in this case had they used Sensormatic labels on the merchandise they were selling? At a 99 cent store I would imagine they could have used labels on at least the items that are found to be high shortage for this type of business. Training of employees on how to handle a suspected shoplifter situation would have also been helpful and could have diffused this incident or helped address it in a different manner. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. can help you with training too because employee safety is just as important to them as their client’s financial success.
Whether your store deals in dollars or cents you need to stop shoplifting from taking place. It can cost you a lot of money and it can create a dangerous environment for your customers and employees by encouraging violent crooks to take advantage of your business. Improve your store all around with a Sensormatic system.
Get more information on Sensormatic labels, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Let me start off this article with two questions, how often do you talk to your associates about how important it is to stop shoplifting in your store? Do you ever discuss with your managers the need to look for signs of employee theft? It may never have even occurred to you to have these conversations. If you are operating small retail stores you may not deem it necessary to mention it much because you don’t have a lot of people working for you anyways. I walk into small retail stores and may get a “hello” or a “can I help you find something?” from a clerk sitting behind a counter. I say, “Thank you I’m just looking” and wander around browsing. Often I can cruise through a store without being offered any additional assistance. I can’t help but think if I was a thief I could have gotten away with a bunch of merchandise. Maybe it is because I look like I’m honest or because I happen to be a friendly person. I ran into this not long ago when my wife and I went into an antique store. You are thinking, “That was an antique store who is going to steal from there?” Is that the point? If I was the store owner I would want that employee walking around and being available to offer assistance.
Training to stop shoplifting and reduce employee theft is not difficult if someone knows what it is that deters thieves and also the signs that someone is stealing. The problem that frequently arises is that employers don’t really understand theft themselves. It is uncomfortable for them to try to train others on it so it is glossed over or ignored as a part of an onboarding orientation or ongoing training. That does not have to be the case. If you don’t know about a topic or have little understanding of it there is always a resource somewhere to help out. Loss Prevention Systems Inc. is a reliable resource for training that will provide managers and store owners with the knowledge they need. Not only will the people who attend the trainings gain a wealth of knowledge, they will be able to incorporate that information into future new hire training.
“But I don’t have time to fly off somewhere to attend a training seminar!” I completely understand. As a Loss Prevention Manager I used to have to travel on occasion to attend training sessions and as valuable as those trainings were, I hated to leave my store. The folks at Loss Prevention Systems Inc. understand this and have several solutions for the retail owners. They offer live webinars for you and your staff. With options available to you there is no reason you should remain in the dark not only on how theft is happening in your store but how much it is impacting your business. You can stop it but it takes an entire store of employees who understand their role in prevention of theft and what to do to stop it.
Is shortage something that you as a small business owner need to be concerned with? According to the 2017 National Retail Security Survey, the average shrink rate for retailers is 1.44% (pg. 6). More importantly 23% of retailers reported shrink at 2% or higher (pg. 6). The report also indicates on average 36.5% of shortage is attributed to shoplifting and 30% due to employee theft (pg.8). As you can see by the numbers you have to control shortage in your stores and the only way to effectively do that is by knowing how to stop shoplifting and employee theft.
Don’t underestimate the thieves who are pilfering your business. Get training to know how to identify criminals and how to prevent them from stealing. After you are trained pass that knowledge on to your employees during orientation and ongoing refreshers. A whole lot of knowledge means a lot less employee theft and shoplifting and that means more black ink on your profit line.
Need information on employee theft? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Sensormatic tags – 3 WC blog 779
Stop shoplifting -3
How To Stop Shoplifting and Shortage – A Brief Conversation With Bill Bregar
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with the founder of Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. and in the course of our discussion I was able to learn his philosophy on the use of Sensormatic tags in a store. I have written on my own opinions based on my years of Loss Prevention and retail management experience but getting Bill Bregar’s opinion was interesting. He and I have similar experiences from the military and Loss Prevention but while I moved no higher than a store level Loss Prevention Manager, Bill was at the upper echelons of retail as a National Director for Loss Prevention Departments for major retail chains. He has also been consulting with retail owners for many years helping them improve their financial numbers through theft and shortage reduction. His solution to shortage reduction is a balanced approach: stop shoplifting with Sensormatic systems, train managers and their teams on how to identify and stop theft safely and effectively and the use of background checks and drug screenings.
So what might a balanced approach to shortage reduction look like for you, the store owner?
• First a shortage prevention strategy should include an electronic article surveillance system and Sensormatic tags. As I spoke with Bill I was impressed that he doesn’t approach this aspect of a strategy with a “tag everything in the store focus”. Bill helps his clients focus on what is going to give the most bang for the buck. While I have always thought that as much as possible should be tagged, his approach in many cases is to focus on the 20% of the merchandise that causes 80% of the losses. What I really appreciated and I am certain Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. customers appreciate is that there is not a push to sell customers more tags than they need. If a business can grow or the need arises more tags can always be purchased.
• Some may argue that theft prevention begins at the personnel level. The employees a store manager hires can create more theft problems than a shoplifter for a store. They have full access to the store and can steal in many different ways. To prevent this from happening, a store should be conducting pre-employment screenings. Mr. Bregar told me that there are companies out there that will promise they will do nationwide background checks but as a former law enforcement officer he is aware that these are fake promises. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. puts the time and effort into the background checks they conduct. These checks may be criminal histories based on state searches or county searches. The check may include sex offender registries, education checks, driving records and more. When a store owner has Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. conduct their background checks they are assured there won’t be any shortcuts taken in the research of their applicant’s history.
• In the same vein as background checks, pre-employment drug screening is an important part of Bill’s theft prevention strategy. Workers with drug addictions may resort to theft to support a habit. These employees will also help friends steal by alerting them to opportunities they may see by texting or calling. The employee may also help assist in shoplifting by passing merchandise through a register without ringing it up for friends in exchange for drugs. Employers can stop shoplifting aided by employees and employee theft by weeding out problems before they happen. Drug screening is a useful tool in Bill’s shortage prevention toolbox.
• One more important piece in the shortage prevention strategy for a store is training. Whether it is training on tag placement, responding to an electronic article surveillance alarm or how to stop shoplifting, Bill knows how critical training is to any theft prevention program.
The biggest take-away I had following my conversation with Mr. Bregar is his focus on the importance of service and integrity in serving Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. clients.
Sensormatic tags and systems are a key component of any Loss Prevention program and Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. can help get a store set up with what that particular store needs. An effective program is going to be one that incorporates multiple factors that impact theft and shortage. After my conversation with Bill Bregar I am more convinced than ever that Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. is your best resource for helping you reduce shrink and grow your profits.
Get more information on Sensormatic tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with the founder of Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. and in the course of our discussion I was able to learn his philosophy on the use of Sensormatic tags in a store. I have written on my own opinions based on my years of Loss Prevention and retail management experience but getting Bill Bregar’s opinion was interesting. He and I have similar experiences from the military and Loss Prevention but while I moved no higher than a store level Loss Prevention Manager, Bill was at the upper echelons of retail as a National Director for Loss Prevention Departments for major retail chains. He has also been consulting with retail owners for many years helping them improve their financial numbers through theft and shortage reduction. His solution to shortage reduction is a balanced approach: stop shoplifting with Sensormatic systems, train managers and their teams on how to identify and stop theft safely and effectively and the use of background checks and drug screenings.
So what might a balanced approach to shortage reduction look like for you, the store owner?
• First a shortage prevention strategy should include an electronic article surveillance system and Sensormatic tags. As I spoke with Bill I was impressed that he doesn’t approach this aspect of a strategy with a “tag everything in the store focus”. Bill helps his clients focus on what is going to give the most bang for the buck. While I have always thought that as much as possible should be tagged, his approach in many cases is to focus on the 20% of the merchandise that causes 80% of the losses. What I really appreciated and I am certain Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. customers appreciate is that there is not a push to sell customers more tags than they need. If a business can grow or the need arises more tags can always be purchased.
• Some may argue that theft prevention begins at the personnel level. The employees a store manager hires can create more theft problems than a shoplifter for a store. They have full access to the store and can steal in many different ways. To prevent this from happening, a store should be conducting pre-employment screenings. Mr. Bregar told me that there are companies out there that will promise they will do nationwide background checks but as a former law enforcement officer he is aware that these are fake promises. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. puts the time and effort into the background checks they conduct. These checks may be criminal histories based on state searches or county searches. The check may include sex offender registries, education checks, driving records and more. When a store owner has Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. conduct their background checks they are assured there won’t be any shortcuts taken in the research of their applicant’s history.
• In the same vein as background checks, pre-employment drug screening is an important part of Bill’s theft prevention strategy. Workers with drug addictions may resort to theft to support a habit. These employees will also help friends steal by alerting them to opportunities they may see by texting or calling. The employee may also help assist in shoplifting by passing merchandise through a register without ringing it up for friends in exchange for drugs. Employers can stop shoplifting aided by employees and employee theft by weeding out problems before they happen. Drug screening is a useful tool in Bill’s shortage prevention toolbox.
• One more important piece in the shortage prevention strategy for a store is training. Whether it is training on tag placement, responding to an electronic article surveillance alarm or how to stop shoplifting, Bill knows how critical training is to any theft prevention program.
The biggest take-away I had following my conversation with Mr. Bregar is his focus on the importance of service and integrity in serving Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. clients.
Sensormatic tags and systems are a key component of any Loss Prevention program and Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. can help get a store set up with what that particular store needs. An effective program is going to be one that incorporates multiple factors that impact theft and shortage. After my conversation with Bill Bregar I am more convinced than ever that Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. is your best resource for helping you reduce shrink and grow your profits.
Get more information on Sensormatic tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Sensormatic Security Labels – 5 WC Blog 756
Electronic Article Surveillance – 3
Advantages Of Using Sensormatic Security Labels Over Other Brands Part 2
In Part 1 of this series on Sensormatic security labels I discussed some problems that can be encountered with certain electronic article surveillance systems and labels. From phantom alarms at the doors to having to try to work with large labels there are can be disadvantages associated with some systems. On the other hand there are clear advantages to using Sensormatic security systems. After nearly 17 in Retail Loss Prevention I have had personal experience using different labels, tags and towers. I saw how effective the Sensormatic labels were in protecting merchandise.
This is a short list of what makes the Sensormatic security labels my preferred choice in anti-theft soft tags:
• Right out of the gate is the size of the Sensormatic labels. Whether we are talking about the Sensormatic AP Sheet Labels or the HBC Labels, these tags have a small footprint and take up little space on a piece of merchandise. This means that there are more small items that can be tagged than might have been possible with traditional radio frequency (RF) labels.
• Where RF electronic article surveillance labels are limited in the numbers of products they can be used on, the acoustic magnetic (AM) labels are virtually unlimited. AM labels are not affected by foils or metals so products such as foil gift wraps, foil gift bags, and even bicycles can be protected with a label.
• Because AM labels are not affected by metal, metal shopping carts are not problems for tagged merchandise. Metal shopping carts by their design can interfere with radio waves and disrupt the frequency of RF labels. AM labels are not impacted by this so retailers need not be concerned about what materials their buggies are made out of. Professional shoplifters occasionally use foil lined bags called booster bags to shoplift. These bags are intended to render RF labels useless so they won’t be detected as merchandise in a foil lined bag is carried out of a store. Again, AM labels are not affected by these bags and can still be detected by alarm pedestals.
• AM labels can withstand high humidity levels for certain periods of time without the effectiveness of the tag being impacted. They can also be stored for up to 96 hours in temperatures not exceeding 122 degrees Fahrenheit. This may not seem like a big deal at first but if labels are transported in delivery trucks temperatures and humidity can get high. Having labels that can stand up to these conditions and not lose their potency is an important feature that should not be underestimated by a retailer.
• Finally, and this is probably one of the most important differences in my opinion, Sensormatic’s labels can be reactivated with the Sensormatic Hand Wand.
Each of these are great reasons for investing in Sensormatic security labels but I really want to focus on the last point about reactivation.
When merchandise with an RF label is detuned at the point of sale that label is neutralized and can’t be used again. That is okay if all of your sales are final but we all know that merchandise returns are going to happen. So what happens when the merchandise is brought back and the packaging has an RF label still attached? Based on my experiences I will tell you that in the majority of cases nothing will happen. A new tag cannot be placed on top of an old tag and to be frank most retailers won’t even think about trying to place a new tag on a returned product. That means if the merchandise is in re-sellable condition it is going back out unprotected. It may look like it is tagged but it won’t work if someone decides to try to steal it. With the ability to reactivate Sensormatic security labels a retailer only needs to the Sensormatic Hand Wand available at the return desk to ensure product is secure and ready to be re-stocked.
As I have explained there are sound reasons for choosing to use Sensormatic security labels over other brands. They are proven to stop shoplifting and can be used in situations that would negate the effectiveness of other tags. Don’t take chances on electronic article surveillance labels that may deteriorate due to climate conditions or may not be active any longer. You can count on Sensormatic labels to help in keeping shortage low.
Need information on Sensormatic security labels? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
In Part 1 of this series on Sensormatic security labels I discussed some problems that can be encountered with certain electronic article surveillance systems and labels. From phantom alarms at the doors to having to try to work with large labels there are can be disadvantages associated with some systems. On the other hand there are clear advantages to using Sensormatic security systems. After nearly 17 in Retail Loss Prevention I have had personal experience using different labels, tags and towers. I saw how effective the Sensormatic labels were in protecting merchandise.
This is a short list of what makes the Sensormatic security labels my preferred choice in anti-theft soft tags:
• Right out of the gate is the size of the Sensormatic labels. Whether we are talking about the Sensormatic AP Sheet Labels or the HBC Labels, these tags have a small footprint and take up little space on a piece of merchandise. This means that there are more small items that can be tagged than might have been possible with traditional radio frequency (RF) labels.
• Where RF electronic article surveillance labels are limited in the numbers of products they can be used on, the acoustic magnetic (AM) labels are virtually unlimited. AM labels are not affected by foils or metals so products such as foil gift wraps, foil gift bags, and even bicycles can be protected with a label.
• Because AM labels are not affected by metal, metal shopping carts are not problems for tagged merchandise. Metal shopping carts by their design can interfere with radio waves and disrupt the frequency of RF labels. AM labels are not impacted by this so retailers need not be concerned about what materials their buggies are made out of. Professional shoplifters occasionally use foil lined bags called booster bags to shoplift. These bags are intended to render RF labels useless so they won’t be detected as merchandise in a foil lined bag is carried out of a store. Again, AM labels are not affected by these bags and can still be detected by alarm pedestals.
• AM labels can withstand high humidity levels for certain periods of time without the effectiveness of the tag being impacted. They can also be stored for up to 96 hours in temperatures not exceeding 122 degrees Fahrenheit. This may not seem like a big deal at first but if labels are transported in delivery trucks temperatures and humidity can get high. Having labels that can stand up to these conditions and not lose their potency is an important feature that should not be underestimated by a retailer.
• Finally, and this is probably one of the most important differences in my opinion, Sensormatic’s labels can be reactivated with the Sensormatic Hand Wand.
Each of these are great reasons for investing in Sensormatic security labels but I really want to focus on the last point about reactivation.
When merchandise with an RF label is detuned at the point of sale that label is neutralized and can’t be used again. That is okay if all of your sales are final but we all know that merchandise returns are going to happen. So what happens when the merchandise is brought back and the packaging has an RF label still attached? Based on my experiences I will tell you that in the majority of cases nothing will happen. A new tag cannot be placed on top of an old tag and to be frank most retailers won’t even think about trying to place a new tag on a returned product. That means if the merchandise is in re-sellable condition it is going back out unprotected. It may look like it is tagged but it won’t work if someone decides to try to steal it. With the ability to reactivate Sensormatic security labels a retailer only needs to the Sensormatic Hand Wand available at the return desk to ensure product is secure and ready to be re-stocked.
As I have explained there are sound reasons for choosing to use Sensormatic security labels over other brands. They are proven to stop shoplifting and can be used in situations that would negate the effectiveness of other tags. Don’t take chances on electronic article surveillance labels that may deteriorate due to climate conditions or may not be active any longer. You can count on Sensormatic labels to help in keeping shortage low.
Need information on Sensormatic security labels? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Stop Shoplifting – 3 WC Blog 752
Sensormatic security system – 3
Customer’s Cryptic Computer Message – Did I Stop Shoplifting From Taking Place?
Usually I know if I have been able to stop shoplifting by recovering merchandise someone has dropped or by the demeanor of a customer if I offer them “too much” customer service. Several nights ago I encountered a very odd situation that I have never seen before. A customer entered the store and there was nothing suspicious about him other than he went to an area where people will tend to steal cell phone cases and accessories. I asked if I could help him find something. He seemed a little startled and said he was looking for an iPad for his nephew. Now I found that a bit odd. I love my nephews but not iPad love them. I told the gentleman we did not sell them but we did have alternative computer tablets that would be just as good and cost less money. I took him to that department. He gave a cursory look and was insistent that his nephew wanted an iPad and so he would just look around the store. I alerted our manager and I continued to watch the customer. He moved to some collectables we had and I engaged him in conversation about the items since I am a fan of these products too. My customer did not want anything to do with me and brushed me off. Now that my feelings were hurt I really wanted to give this fella my best customer service when he moved to another department. Again I was rebuffed. I watched him from a bit of a distance as he stopped at an all-in-one computer and started typing on it. He then quickly walked out of the store. When I looked at the computer screen he had typed, “You shouldn’t treat your customers like they are shoplifters.” I laughed and showed the manager on duty. Our store uses a Sensormatic security system to prevent theft but it works best when coupled with good customer service.
Electronic article surveillance equipment does deter shoplifting. From the time the criminal walks into the store and sees the towers to the visibility of anti-theft tags and labels all of this technology tells a potential thief that criminal activity will be risky if not impossible. There are crooks who are smart enough to know that some merchandise can be removed from packaging if not protected properly and then taken. These tend to be the more professional shoplifters who steal for a living. Giving customer service to everyone should already be a priority in a store but for these professionals it is an added deterrent along with the anti-theft devices. Customer service leads to increased sales and it does help to deter criminal activity as I believe it did in my situation. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. (LPSI) owner Bill Bregar has been in the Retail Theft Prevention consultation business since 1983. He stresses to his clients the importance of building a customer service culture in the store in addition to the installation of a Sensormatic security system to stop shoplifting. Like me he understands how customer service works in conjunction with electronic article surveillance to minimize the risk of theft and how it improves profit. For those clients that do not have a Sensormatic security system in the store LPSI is a supplier but also offers the additional benefit of free, live shoplifting prevention training. You won’t get THAT offer anywhere else.
Did my customer intend to steal since he left his not-so-cryptic message on our computer? Well, I received a text from the store manager two days later saying that the police had come by the store with stolen merchandise. The suspect and two accomplices returned the next day and stole merchandise and it was recovered in the course of another incident involving the suspect. My “customer” also had felony warrants in other states. It’s nice to know that this old Loss Prevention Manager still has an instinct about how to identify and stop shoplifting. Since I can’t be there to help your store, take time to contact LPSI and see all they offer that can help your team reduce theft. Don’t delay you don’t know when my “customer” will get out and visit your store next.
Need information on a Sensormatic security system? Contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Usually I know if I have been able to stop shoplifting by recovering merchandise someone has dropped or by the demeanor of a customer if I offer them “too much” customer service. Several nights ago I encountered a very odd situation that I have never seen before. A customer entered the store and there was nothing suspicious about him other than he went to an area where people will tend to steal cell phone cases and accessories. I asked if I could help him find something. He seemed a little startled and said he was looking for an iPad for his nephew. Now I found that a bit odd. I love my nephews but not iPad love them. I told the gentleman we did not sell them but we did have alternative computer tablets that would be just as good and cost less money. I took him to that department. He gave a cursory look and was insistent that his nephew wanted an iPad and so he would just look around the store. I alerted our manager and I continued to watch the customer. He moved to some collectables we had and I engaged him in conversation about the items since I am a fan of these products too. My customer did not want anything to do with me and brushed me off. Now that my feelings were hurt I really wanted to give this fella my best customer service when he moved to another department. Again I was rebuffed. I watched him from a bit of a distance as he stopped at an all-in-one computer and started typing on it. He then quickly walked out of the store. When I looked at the computer screen he had typed, “You shouldn’t treat your customers like they are shoplifters.” I laughed and showed the manager on duty. Our store uses a Sensormatic security system to prevent theft but it works best when coupled with good customer service.
Electronic article surveillance equipment does deter shoplifting. From the time the criminal walks into the store and sees the towers to the visibility of anti-theft tags and labels all of this technology tells a potential thief that criminal activity will be risky if not impossible. There are crooks who are smart enough to know that some merchandise can be removed from packaging if not protected properly and then taken. These tend to be the more professional shoplifters who steal for a living. Giving customer service to everyone should already be a priority in a store but for these professionals it is an added deterrent along with the anti-theft devices. Customer service leads to increased sales and it does help to deter criminal activity as I believe it did in my situation. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. (LPSI) owner Bill Bregar has been in the Retail Theft Prevention consultation business since 1983. He stresses to his clients the importance of building a customer service culture in the store in addition to the installation of a Sensormatic security system to stop shoplifting. Like me he understands how customer service works in conjunction with electronic article surveillance to minimize the risk of theft and how it improves profit. For those clients that do not have a Sensormatic security system in the store LPSI is a supplier but also offers the additional benefit of free, live shoplifting prevention training. You won’t get THAT offer anywhere else.
Did my customer intend to steal since he left his not-so-cryptic message on our computer? Well, I received a text from the store manager two days later saying that the police had come by the store with stolen merchandise. The suspect and two accomplices returned the next day and stole merchandise and it was recovered in the course of another incident involving the suspect. My “customer” also had felony warrants in other states. It’s nice to know that this old Loss Prevention Manager still has an instinct about how to identify and stop shoplifting. Since I can’t be there to help your store, take time to contact LPSI and see all they offer that can help your team reduce theft. Don’t delay you don’t know when my “customer” will get out and visit your store next.
Need information on a Sensormatic security system? Contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
