Shoplifting is a major concern for liquor store owners and managers, as it can result in significant financial losses and damage to your store’s reputation. However, there are a number of steps that liquor store owners and managers can take to prevent shoplifting and minimize its impact on their business.
- Visible Security Measures: Having visible security measures such as cameras, security mirrors, and Sensormatic Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) can deter shoplifters from attempting to steal items from the store. This not only helps to prevent shoplifting, but it also provides evidence that can be used to prosecute individuals who are caught shoplifting.
- Employee Awareness: Employee awareness is key in preventing shoplifting. Encourage employees to be alert and proactive and provide GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE in identifying potential shoplifters. Training employees to recognize suspicious behavior and providing them with clear procedures for responding to suspected shoplifters can help to reduce shoplifting incidents. Loss Prevention Systems can provide you with training.
- Product Placement: Positioning high-value items in a visible location, near a cash register or in a well-lit area, can make it more difficult for shoplifters to steal these items. Additionally, securing high-value items with Sensormatic tags or bottle Caps WILL deter shoplifters.
- Good Store Design: A well-designed store can make it easier for employees to keep an eye on customers and for security cameras to monitor the store. A Sensormatic System will help you watch areas that are not easily monitored or when customer traffic is high. Consider rearranging the store to improve visibility and minimize blind spots.
- Customer Service: Providing excellent customer service can help to prevent shoplifting. Greeting customers, offering assistance, and making sure that they feel welcome can reduce the likelihood of shoplifting incidents. Loss Prevention Systems has a training method that uses great customer service as a weapon against shoplifters but your good customer will love it. Additionally, having employees walk the store regularly can help to deter shoplifters.
- Keep the Store Tidy: A tidy store sends a message to customers and potential shoplifters that the store is well-managed and that shoplifting will not be tolerated. Keeping the store organized, tidy and free of clutter can help to reduce the opportunity for shoplifters to conceal items.
By taking these steps to prevent shoplifting, liquor store owners and managers can reduce the impact of shoplifting on their business and help to ensure the security of their inventory and customers. For more information or to ask about a Sensormatic System please contact us or go to our website at LossPreventionSystems.com
If a Sensormatic alarm is triggered, it is important to take appropriate action to investigate the situation and apprehend any potential shoplifters. In Georgia, the law allows business owners or their employees to detain individuals suspected of shoplifting for a reasonable amount of time and in a reasonable manner until law enforcement arrives.
Under Georgia law, shoplifting is defined as the willful taking of merchandise with the intent to deprive the owner of the merchandise without paying for it. When a Sensormatic alarm is triggered, it indicates that merchandise with a security tag or label has been taken past the sensors without being deactivated or removed, which can be a strong indicator of shoplifting.
If a Sensormatic alarm is triggered, the first step is to visually identify the potential shoplifter and observe their behavior. If the individual appears to be attempting to conceal merchandise or acting suspiciously, it may be appropriate to approach them and ask to see their receipt or investigate further. The best practice in this situation is a “customer service” approach. Inform the individual that we must have forgotten to remove a inventory control tag and ask them to step back into the store. Ask them for the shopping bag. Wave it through the Sensormatic antennas. If the system alarms then check the bag against the reciept and remove any tags on merchandise that is on the reciept. Thank the customer for their patience. To leave the situation in a positive manner you may want to mention an upcoming sale or item they may be interested in. If the person turns out to be a shoplifter then follow yopur stores procedure. However, best practice is to contact the Police and file charges.
If there is evidence of shoplifting, Georgia law allows business owners or their employees to detain the individual for a reasonable amount of time and in a reasonable manner. This means that force or physical restraint should only be used as a last resort, and the detention should not exceed what is necessary to investigate the situation or until law enforcement arrives.
When detaining a suspected shoplifter, it is important to inform them of the reason for the detention and the intention to involve law enforcement. It is also important to avoid making false accusations or accusations based on racial or ethnic profiling.
Once law enforcement arrives, they will take over the investigation and may make an arrest if there is sufficient evidence of shoplifting. The individual detained should be released if no evidence of shoplifting is found.
Georgia law allows business owners or their employees to detain suspected shoplifters for a reasonable amount of time and in a reasonable manner if a Sensormatic alarm is triggered. However, it is important to follow the law and avoid using excessive force or making false accusations. The involvement of law enforcement is necessary to ensure that the investigation is handled appropriately and any potential shoplifting is dealt with accordingly. If you would like more information on shoplifting prevention please email us at [email protected]. You can also contact us through our web site www.LossPrventionSystems.com
Shoplifting is a serious problem for small to medium retail businesses. It can cause significant financial losses, which can ultimately lead to the closure of the business. Therefore, it is essential for businesses to implement effective shoplifting prevention measures to protect their assets and keep their business running smoothly.
One of the most effective ways to prevent shoplifting is through the use of Sensormatic systems at the front door. Sensormatic is a leading provider of loss prevention solutions, including electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems, which are designed to deter shoplifting and prevent theft.
EAS systems work by attaching a small tag or label to each item in the store. These tags or labels contain a small electronic circuit that can be detected by antennas located at the front door of the store. When an item with a tag or label passes through the antennas, an alarm is triggered, alerting staff to the potential theft.
There are several benefits of using Sensormatic systems at the front door of a retail store. Firstly, it is an effective deterrent against shoplifting. The presence of the EAS system and the knowledge that there is a high likelihood of detection can discourage would-be shoplifters from attempting to steal items from the store.
Secondly, Sensormatic systems can help to reduce the number of false alarms. The system can be calibrated to ignore certain types of tags or labels, such as those used by employees to move merchandise around the store. This helps to ensure that alarms are only triggered when there is a genuine threat of theft.
Thirdly, Sensormatic systems can help to improve the overall shopping experience for customers. By deterring shoplifters and reducing the number of false alarms, staff can focus on providing excellent customer service rather than dealing with security issues.
However, it is important to note that Sensormatic systems are not a panacea for all shoplifting problems. To maximize the effectiveness of the system, it should be used in conjunction with other loss prevention measures, such as training staff to be vigilant and observant, and ensuring that merchandise is displayed in a way that makes it difficult for thieves to steal.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that Sensormatic systems are installed and maintained correctly. The system should be installed by trained Sensormatic Factory Technicians who understand how to calibrate the system and ensure that it is working correctly. Regular maintenance and testing are also essential to ensure that the system is functioning at peak performance.
Sensormatic systems are an effective and essential tool for small to medium retail businesses looking to prevent shoplifting. By deterring thieves, reducing false alarms, and improving the overall shopping experience for customers, Sensormatic systems can help to protect a business’s assets and keep it running smoothly. However, it is important to remember that Sensormatic systems should be used in conjunction with other loss prevention measures, and that proper installation and maintenance are essential for the system to be effective
Loss Prevention Systems, Inc has been a top Sensormatic Dealer for many years now. In addition to that we have boots on the ground experience with shoplifters apprehension, deterrence, policy and procedure. Contact us today at LossPreventionSystems.com
Shoplifting is a common problem for retailers and can result in significant financial losses. To combat this issue effectively, it is important to understand the motivations and thought processes of shoplifters. By gaining insights into why people shoplift, retailers can develop better prevention strategies and implement effective solutions.
Shoplifting can occur for a variety of reasons. Some people shoplift because they are experiencing financial hardship and cannot afford to buy what they need or want. Others do it for the thrill or excitement of getting away with something. There are also those who steal to resell the stolen items for a profit, or because they have a compulsive urge to steal.
One common misconception is that all shoplifters are impoverished or criminal. However, research shows that shoplifting can occur across all demographics and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is essential to understand that shoplifting is not always the result of financial desperation or criminal behavior. Instead, it can be a combination of various factors such as thrill-seeking, impulse control issues, and mental health problems.
Shoplifters often have a different perception of the act of stealing than others. They may view it as a victimless crime, believing that retailers can easily absorb the financial losses or that they are owed something. This mentality can make it easier for them to justify their actions and ignore the consequences of their behavior. Furthermore, the perceived anonymity of a retail store or the belief that they are unlikely to get caught can also embolden some shoplifters.
To prevent shoplifting, retailers need to understand the thought processes of potential shoplifters. By doing so, they can implement effective measures such as Sensormatic Electronic Article Surveilance (EAS) Systems, Sensormatic labels and hard tags, and training employees to be vigilant for suspicious behavior. Loss Prevention Systems can provide you with both Sensormatic Syatems and shoplifting prevention training. Retailers may also consider improving store layout and displays to reduce blind spots and make it easier to monitor activity in the store.Replace defective lighting quickly. A neat, clean wnd well staffed store will help to send shoplifters elsewhere.
In the bigger p;icture, retailers should also consider providing support and resources for individuals experiencing financial hardship. This may include partnering with local organizations and law enforcement to provide assistance or offering payment plans to customers who are struggling financially.
Overall, understanding the mindset and motivations of shoplifters is essential to prevent retail theft effectively. By developing a more comprehensive understanding of the issue, retailers can implement strategies that address the root causes of shoplifting, reduce financial losses, and create a better, safer shopping experience for everyone.
Contact us if you would like more information about Sensormatic Systems anywhere in the United States or about our live on-line or in person training.
Shoplifting and theft from retail stores has gotten so out of control that it is “Retail Gone Wild” or more
to the point – it is simply crazy! Shoplifters have become so brazen that they will just walk out with
merchandise without even bothering concealing it. In many cases, if store associates try to intervene,
they are assaulted verbally and/or physically. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
There are a list of factors. Organized Retail Crime (ORC) is shoplifting by organized gangs, many juveniles
that hit the store in groups at one time and overwhelm the store associate resources. We simply cannot
be everywhere at once. Of course, there are also the other three groups that shoplifters are divided into
Professional, Amateur and the Opportunist. Each has its reasons and methods to steal. All of these four
types of shoplifters have been with us since the beginning of “retail”. So what has changed?
I believe that it comes down to the legal and social changes in American society over the last ten years,
give or take a year or two. Jurisdictions such as California, New York and many others have essentially
decriminalized shoplifting. In many locations law enforcement will not even come out to take a report.
Let alone arrest and charge the thief. What message is being sent? Well, in those areas it turns the
Retailers into retail buffet dining. If there is absolutely no consequence to shoplifting, then why not
steal, over and over?
From the big picture these government officials are endangering not only our society but also retailers
themselves, associates and their tax base. In virtually every state retail is the largest employer and if not,
it is very close to the top. Retailers have to make money. Not just enough to survive. They have to
prosper. If the big box store is not returning profits to the stockholders, then we know how that story
ends. Medium to small retailers have to earn a living that is commensurate with the risk they take each
and every day. In both the big box and smaller retailer it means the same thing. Close your doors and
move on to greener pastures. That means loss of jobs, tax base (both sales tax, business and personal
taxes), housing and homes, and the list goes on all the way to third world status. Welcome to the United
States of Ameristan. This domino will cause others to fall also. Robbery, burglary, assaults are all out of
control now, let alone get worse.
All of this because politicians and officials do not know what they are doing. The individuals who
approve these changes are not fit to be where they are at.
Okay, so enough of the rant. Fixing those issues will take time and effort. So what do we do to keep
ourselves in business? We have to have a change of retail mindset. Just putting the merchandise out on
the shelves and hoping for the best will not work. There are only two ways to keep shoplifting under
control and at an economic level; namely customer service and an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS)
system such as a Sensormatic System. However, we also need to take some old tools and get them into
play.
But, I am getting ahead of myself. So what is this new retail mindset? It is no longer acceptable to simply
display and even use Sensormatic tags, and labels on our merchandise. You have to make your merchandise attractive to your good, paying customers and make it not worth the shoplifter’s time and
exposure (for those few shoplifters that care about such things). If the shoplifter steals your
merchandise but they cannot use or sell it because it is ruined, then they will move on to a retailer that
is “easier”. THAT is the guy you DO NOT want to be!
How can we accomplish this? I mentioned earlier that there are some older tools and yes, even some
new tools to help you with this. A good example are “ink tags”. Sensormatic has been making these
things forever. They have evolved into the great tool they are today. When ink tags first came out they
were simply vials of permanent dye encapsulated in the tag. If the thief tried to get them off, the vials
would rupture and the ink flowed onto the product. So early on shoplifters learned to freeze the tag
while still on the merchandise and then whack it with a hammer and presto the ink tag is removed.
Since then Sensormatic developed ink tags that have better dye with an anti-freeze in it and the glass
vials are pressurized. Now the die did not just flow but exploded somewhat onto the merchandise and
hopefully the shoplifter themselves. I did ask if they could also put a skin irritant, acid or poison in
the dye but that was not really well received. I also suggested exploding tags but for some reason they
didn’t like that one either. Some folks just do not have a sense of humor, ooooh well.
Ink tags can be used without a Sensormatic system or as part of it. Ink tags come with either AM or RF
technology and with or without a pin. So they can be used with your current Sensormatic AM or RF
equipment. This works very well with anything that will absorb the ink. Clothing, shoes, hats, or any item
with cloth.
But what about hard goods? Well, Loss Prevention Systems and Sensormatic have fixes for that and
more. Consequentially, these solutions do not just throttle back your shoplifting but, they actually
increase your bottom line and reduce your expenses. Since we tailor the solution for each and every
individual retailer and/or store, you will just have to reach out to me for further details. Pretty sneaky
how I am doing that, huh?
It boils down to this: Change your mindset and put more on your bottom line. YES, it is that simple!
Reach out to me, Bill Bregar at: [email protected].
Change is not always easy for example I remember having to make changes in how to stop shoplifting when I went from one company to another. I promoted from a Loss Prevention Associate in a store where I could chase shoplifters, tackle and hold them until local police arrived to a Loss Prevention Manager of a company that would not permit any pursuit beyond the sidewalk. Later, due to circumstances of management realignment I had to depart my beloved Loss Prevention Manager position and took on a Freight Manager role I was successful in by almost all diagnostic measurements. Unfortunately (or fortunately as I later realized), that position took a toll on me and I resigned after a year and a half. Despite my experience and education new work did not come easily but I did wind up back in Loss Prevention for a retail store that had a total hand-off policy. Even if I saw a shoplifter conceal merchandise and set off the Sensormatic security system I could “talk to them” but I could not physically stop the person. I tried to abide by the policy despite my disagreement. You can’t stop shoplifting if there are no repercussions when a thief walks out and knows you cannot touch them. Oh that company has closed down almost all of their brick and mortar locations. I have my own opinion as to why. I left the company after a few short months for reasons I won’t get into but suffice it to say it was another fortuitous situation as that location was only open a couple of more years. Change happens.
I have also had to handle change in how to stop shoplifting going from one type of electronic article surveillance company to another. The last one I was involved with was Sensormatic security systems and I must say I was impressed with the quality of the equipment and tags. I was already familiar with the brand but had not used it myself. I still have some familiarity with it as the office store where I work uses the system and I know how good our inventory shortage results are for the past 8 years. The results speak volumes of the effectiveness of Sensormatic in helping stores stop shoplifting (even though I still get the itch to do it myself from time to time). Systems have their own features and some may compare them to driving a Ford or a Chevy. I would liken it to driving a mini-van or a Cadillac Escalade. The mini-van gets me where I need to go (that is what I can afford to drive) the Escalade would also get me there but with more bells, whistles and let’s be honest reliability. I think of Sensormatic security systems as the Escalade versus the other electronic article surveillance systems on the market. They just perform better.
Change can come in other forms in our work and careers. Sometimes we think we want to do one thing and events or circumstances force us to go another path. In my life I believe God has directed my career and sometimes it can be downright scary. But in the end I find I have learned new things or I have contributed in some small manner to a new employer. I never would have imagined that my Air Force Law Enforcement experience and Retail Loss Prevention experiences would ever have led to work in a college library! Nor would I have ever imagined myself as a writer of articles for a Loss Prevention consulting business. Sure, like many others I kind of had a secret desire to write but I did not get a degree in English or Journalism. My degree in Sociology was a far cry from writing. But as I look at my experiences as an Air Force Law Enforcement Specialist and a Loss Prevention Officer and Manager, I had to write…A LOT! When I would stop shoplifting and apprehend a culprit I had to write a report that might go to court. It had to be accurate. Maybe I was more prepared than I thought.
My point is change can and will happen. Are you ready to embrace it or fight it? There is nothing wrong with being a little nervous about it. What will I do? How do I react? Questions will arise. But in my case I was given an opportunity by a new boss, Bill Bregar, to try my hand at writing for his company. I had coaching and encouragement along the way by new friends Ashleigh Berry and Cathy Benoist. I was pushed out of comfort zones and tried new things. A new door opened and I was welcomed with open arms I will never forget what these people have done for me. That is how YOU should embrace change. Now a door is closing. I don’t know where it will lead but I am confident God has a new and exciting adventure planned. After 849 articles it is time to see where a new door will open but before I do let me leave you with these words of wisdom from someone with over 17 years in Retail Loss Prevention…If you don’t have a Sensormatic security system, buy one you will improve the financial success of your store, I promise!
For more information on Sensormatic security systems, contact us at 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Change is not always easy for example I remember having to make changes in how to stop shoplifting when I went from one company to another. I was promoted from a Loss Prevention Associate in a store where I could chase shoplifters, tackle and hold them until local police arrived to a Loss Prevention Manager of a company that would not permit any pursuit beyond the sidewalk. Later, due to circumstances of management realignment I had to depart my beloved Loss Prevention Manager position and took on a Freight Manager role I was successful in by almost all diagnostic measurements. Unfortunately (or fortunately as I later realized), that position took a toll on me and I resigned after a year and a half. Despite my experience and education new work did not come easily but I did wind up back in Loss Prevention for a retail store that had a total hands-off policy. Even if I saw a shoplifter conceal merchandise and set off the Sensormatic security system I could “talk to them” but I could not physically stop the person. I tried to abide by the policy despite my disagreement. You can’t stop shoplifting if there are no repercussions when a thief walks out and knows you cannot touch them. Oh that company has closed down almost all of their brick and mortar locations. I have my own opinion as to why. I left the company after a few short months for reasons I won’t get into but suffice it to say it was another fortuitous situation as that location was only open a couple of more years. Change happens.
I have also had to handle change in how to stop shoplifting going from one type of electronic article surveillance company to another. The last one I was involved with was Sensormatic security systems and I must say I was impressed with the quality of the equipment and tags. I was already familiar with the brand but had not used it myself. I still have some familiarity with it as the office store where I work uses the system and I know how good our inventory shortage results are for the past 8 years. The results speak volumes of the effectiveness of Sensormatic in helping stores stop shoplifting (even though I still get the itch to do it myself from time to time). Systems have their own features and some may compare them to driving a Ford or a Chevy. I would liken it to driving a mini-van or a Cadillac Escalade. The mini-van gets me where I need to go (that is what I can afford to drive) the Escalade would also get me there but with more bells, whistles and let’s be honest reliability. I think of Sensormatic security systems as the Escalade versus the other electronic article surveillance systems on the market. They just perform better.
Change can come in other forms in our work and careers. Sometimes we think we want to do one thing and events or circumstances force us to go another path. In my life I believe God has directed my career and sometimes it can be downright scary. But in the end I find I have learned new things or I have contributed in some small manner to a new employer. I never would have imagined that my Air Force Law Enforcement experience and Retail Loss Prevention experiences would ever have led to work in a college library! Nor would I have ever imagined myself as a writer of articles for a Loss Prevention consulting business. Sure, like many others I kind of had a secret desire to write but I did not get a degree in English or Journalism. My degree in Sociology was a far cry from writing. But as I look at my experiences as an Air Force Law Enforcement Specialist and a Loss Prevention Officer and Manager, I had to write…A LOT! When I would stop shoplifting and apprehend a culprit I had to write a report that might go to court. It had to be accurate. Maybe I was more prepared than I thought.
My point is change can and will happen. Are you ready to embrace it or fight it? There is nothing wrong with being a little nervous about it. What will I do? How do I react? Questions will arise. But in my case I was given an opportunity by a new boss, Bill Bregar, to try my hand at writing for his company. I had coaching and encouragement along the way by new friends Ashleigh Berry and Cathy Benoist. I was pushed out of comfort zones and tried new things. A new door opened and I was welcomed with open arms I will never forget what these people have done for me. That is how YOU should embrace change. Now a door is closing. I don’t know where it will lead but I am confident God has a new and exciting adventure planned. After 849 articles it is time to see where a new door will open but before I do let me leave you with these words of wisdom from someone with over 17 years in Retail Loss Prevention…If you don’t have a Sensormatic security system, buy one you will improve the financial success of your store, I promise!
For more information on Sensormatic security systems, contact us at 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
