08/29/1909/20/24

Best in class – our top security tag solutions

In the ongoing battle against retail theft, deciding which security tags are right for your retail outlet can prove a bit of a challenge when there are so many options available.

That’s why Security Tags has designed a helpful guide of what to look for, and we also have some recommendations when it comes to ensuring optimum tag security with minimum fuss.

Here’s our take on best in class when it comes to the top security tag solutions.

What to look for

As we’ve previously mentioned, the best security tags will have multiple features, including:

High-strength locking mechanisms that are impervious to easily sourced magnetic detachers

Large pinheads that cannot be pulled through garments or cut off without causing major product damage

A design and shape that thwarts attempts to pry a tag and pinhead apart

Convenient size so as not to interfere with the customer experience of a product

In addition, the ideal security tag will feature:

Flexibility to work on products like handbags and shoes using lanyards or cables

RFID compatibility for inventory management and product tracking

Compatibility with additional theft prevention strategies like benefit denial using ink dye pins

So, in the search for the right security tags, it begs the question, what would we recommend?

Best in class – our top tag recommendations

The right security tag for your retail outlet will first and foremost depend on the type of electronic article surveillance system your store has in place, with Radio Frequency and Acousto Magnetic being the two categories that EAS systems fall under.

Then it comes down to selecting the right option for the right frequency. Here are our top picks…

Our favoured AM security tag

In the AM security tag selection, we believe the BossTag range, comprising the XT30 security tag and its smaller cousin smaller cousin the X18 security tag, deliver the best security and the best value for money.

Both feature high security and are resistant to high-strength magnets, meaning they cannot be opened by the types of detachers that are commonly available on the internet.

Meanwhile, the XT30 also boasts a larger pinhead, which increases tamper resistance and further enhances security.

In addition, the XT30 and X18 also feature an inbuilt lanyard hole which can accept lanyards that attach to accessories like handbags, shoes and appliances. Both can accept either grooved or smooth pins and are compatible with RFID, when used with our optional RFID pin, or can incorporate ink dye pins as a benefit denial strategy.

Our favoured RF security tag for delicates

When it comes to tags for delicates/ swimwear or even lingerie, our favoured tag is the Alligator Tag due to its seamless design and supreme security.

The Alligator Tag is actually available in both RF and AM frequencies and features superior security due to its innovative design.

This revolutionary tag accommodates the pin and the tag in one single body with a hinge that snaps it shut. Ultimately this ensures there are no more lost pins and the tag can also be used without having to push the pin through clothing.

Meanwhile, the spring-loaded pin is retracted into a housing when not in use and then pushed out when required, reducing the risk of injury to staff and customers.

Featuring a high-strength magnetic lock for superior protection, the Alligator Tag is easy and fast to apply and can be attached to garments with just a single hand and clicked into place.

This reduces application time dramatically when applying tags to large quantities of merchandise, while the one-handed application and detaching also accelerates checkout and alleviates unnecessary shopper delays.

Protecting the five vulnerable areas of your store security

This year US retailers will lose over $50.6 billion to shoplifting, dishonest employees, fraud, and supply chain loss.

It’s an astounding figure that sees 1.38 per cent of the industry’s sales simply disappear at the hands of thieves, through error, or via staff deceit.

Critically, it’s a statistic that can be drastically reduced by employing best practice, and in today’s retail environment that involves strategies ranging from stock protection on the floor right through to accountability in the supply chain.

Products on the floor

In 2018, the National Retail Federation found shoplifting accounted for 35.7 per cent of all retail shrink, costing retailers about $17.55 billion.

For retailers that means protecting items at both a product-based level and protecting the retail outlet overall should be a priority.

When it comes to protecting stock on the floor, key strategies include:

Staff training in attentive customer service and recognising shoplifting behaviour

Electronic article surveillance comprising antenna, security tags, and labels to guard individual items against theft

CCTV to deter, identify, and catch thieves in the act

Good store lighting and design to minimise out of sight areas that might facilitate theft

Lockable displays and cabinets that safeguard high-value products

The fitting room

Private and out of view of retail associates, the fitting room is a customer service necessity which unfortunately also facilitates theft.

The fitting room is often the place where would-be thieves use innovative strategies to either tamper with or remove security tags, and as a venue that’s private by nature, it presents a unique challenge in the war against theft.

Fortunately, new technology means retailers are now better armed than ever before in the fight against shoplifting, with systems like the Apparel Guard available to monitor security tags, identify tampering in real time and alert staff to a potential theft.

Meanwhile, in addition to technology, further fitting room protection strategies include ensuring staff meet and greet customers, while counting items in and out.

The Point of Sale

The Point of Sale is a retail area which can be affected by both customer fraud and employee theft, while the physical Point of Sale itself can also be a target for theft.

Securing the Point of Sale involves ensuring mobile components of the POS, like tablets or barcode scanners are secured to the countertop, while the POS itself is monitored via CCTV.

CCTV monitoring helps deter cash theft, fraud, and dishonest employee behaviour.

Meanwhile, analytics can also be employed to identify fraudulent transactions like gift card fraud, under-ringing, and false returns.

The storeroom

The National Retail Security Survey 2018 found dishonest employees account for 33.2 per cent of retail loss, costing retailers $15.54 billion.

In addition to dishonest behaviour occurring at the POS, it is also most likely to occur in the storeroom where staff have direct access to products.

Like most areas of theft prevention, protecting the storeroom or warehouse area requires multiple strategies.

These include

Securing high-value stock in lockable drawers and using smart keys to track staff access

Proper order reconciliation and stock taking

CCTV

Advanced tools like RFID, which track the location of items

The supply chain

Whether it’s an error, vendor fraud or theft, the supply chain also presents a challenging arena for retailers looking to stem the loss.

Identifying and protecting the supply chain involves simple strategies like order reconciliation and stock counting, while recent research has also indicated the value of technology in ensuring accuracy.

Last year Auburn University found RFID can offer near perfect supply chain accuracy (99.9 per cent) compared to traditional barcode accuracy of 31 per cent.

Also, they noted RFID-enabled systems helped retailers:

Achieve unprecedented levels of inventory accuracy, which further assists retailers with “last item” sales opportunities, fewer markdowns, and customer loyalty (sales associates never have to say, “I don’t know if we have it.”)

Decreased out-of-stocks and even eliminated the need for safety stocks or over-ordering of inventory to meet demand.

Improved loss detection with increased visibility and knowing exactly what is on hand and what has been sold.

Expedited the costly returns process by being able to trace products at the item level.

08/22/1909/20/24

Seven ways to boost your tag security in store

EAS security tags are a hugely effective way of guarding individual products in a retail outlet against theft. But that doesn’t stop shoplifters trying to get around and remove them using all sorts of creative techniques.

The upshot is retailers need to remain vigilant when it comes to ensuring their tags are up to par and can withstand even the most devious thieves.

So, here are seven ways to boost your tag security in store.

Go for strength

Security tags are available in a series of magnetic strengths ranging from standard to superlock and then the enhanced strengths of hyperlock and multi-polar.

When it comes to combatting illicit removal, the higher the strength the better. Many retail outlets still rely on standard strength tags, but as a minimum we recommend superlock.

Superlock tags can only be removed by high-strength magnetic detachers, which are harder to find on the black market than the types which open standard tags.

Increase the pin size

Tags are secured to merchandise using a pin, and the pin heads available also come in a series of sizes. Larger pin heads are harder for a thief to push through a product without causing significant damage to the item they’re looking to steal, so these offer increased security.

Consider benefit denial

Large pinheads are considered a benefit denial strategy, meaning the thief has to damage the product by cutting or ripping it in order to steal the item.

And there are also further benefit denial strategies available to curb a shoplifter’s enthusiasm for tampering with a tag. These include ink-dye pinheads, which release indelible ink into a product when a tag is tampered with, thereby rendering it valueless to the thief.

Consider the tag shape

Just as pinhead size makes a difference to the security of a tag, so does the tag shape.

This relates to the surface area that thieves can get a purchase on when trying to prize the tag apart from the pinhead. For increased security look for round tags with pinheads that correspond in size. Known as clamshell tags, these offer few areas for a thief to access.

Alternatively, alligator tags have a simple feature where the tag and pinhead are all housed in the one hinged body that claps and locks shut. These are also harder to prize apart.

Secure your detachers

They might seem innocuous, but magnetic tag detachers are highly sought after by thieves,

Ensure your tag detachers are secured to the benchtop at the point of sale. Some tag detachers even come with a registered serial number making them extra secure and traceable.

Train staff in EAS

EAS false alarms can soon make your staff complacent about shoplifting, so ensure they are trained in the daily checks required to ensure the system is working properly.

This also includes educating them about tag pollution – a phenomenon which sees an alarm sound when a tag which has not been detached by another retailer enters your store.

Most EAS systems will light up in a different colour when a tag is entering rather than leaving a store, so train your staff to recognize this issue.

Guard your fitting room

Out of sight and private, fitting rooms provide an ideal venue for thieves to attempt tag removal, or to conceal items in booster bags.

In addition to having staff man the fitting room, consider high-tech options like the Apparel Guard which sound an alarm when a tag is being tampered with or concealed.

The final word

Combatting shoplifting is an ongoing fight where retailers consistently need to up their game to thwart attempts at theft.

That means staying vigilant and employing the best and latest methods available to boost the effectiveness of EAS.

You can speak with our friendly staff about sourcing high-security EAS tags or about employing additional tag security features like larger pinheads and ink-dye tags.

08/20/1909/20/24

Optimistic outlook for peak shopping season

With peak shopping season fast approaching, US retailers are optimistic, with most expecting a revenue increase of 28.7 per cent on 2018, according to a recent survey by Yieldify.

Encompassing major shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the six-week lead-up to Christmas, the upcoming peak retail period is expected to draw a line under what has otherwise been a turbulent retail year.

Here’s an insight into what retailers expect for the holiday shopping season in Quarter 4, 2019.

Great expectations

Yieldify notes retailers are overwhelmingly positive about the period ahead, with many already implementing their marketing plans for discounts, deals and special items.

Their findings indicate:

US retailers expect an average revenue increase of 29 per cent for Black Friday

Retailers are tipping a 22 per cent increase on average revenue for Cyber Monday

An increase in revenue of 28.6 per cent is anticipated for the holiday shopping season as a whole

Over two-thirds (72.9 per cent) said they expect a revenue increase of 10 per cent or more on year on-year for the holiday season

Black Friday

Taking place on November 29, this year’s Black Friday is expected to kick the peak retail period off with a bang.

It is also no longer seen as a one-day sales event, with 85 per cent of retailers planning discounts and deals over an extended period.

This year 92.8 per cent of retailers are expected to take part in the Black Friday retail bonanza, offering an average discount of 37.3 per cent.

50.6 per cent of retailers will be offering Black Friday discounts across all items

32.2 per cent will be offering limited discounting

8.4 per cent will offer a promotion but no discount

2.5 per cent will be taking part in another way

6.3 per cent indicated they will not be participating

Meanwhile, the report notes fashion brands are the most likely to discount, and multi-channel retailers are more likely to take part overall.

“Pureplay e-commerce brands are the most likely to skip Black Friday, with more than 1 in 5 (22 per cent) choosing to give it a miss,” Yieldify says.

“Only 65 per cent of e-commerce pureplays who are participating in Black Friday will discount, versus 85 per cent of multichannel retailers.”

Cyber Monday

In 2019, Cyber Monday will be held on December 2, and 91.8 per cent of retailers are planning to participate, offering an average discount of 32.6 per cent.

Of those:

44.4 per cent of retailers will be offering discounts across all items

35.5 per cent will be offering limited discounting

9.4 per cent will offer a promotion but no discount

1.5 per cent will be taking part in another way

9.2 per cent have indicated they will not be participating

Holiday shopping season

The high-revenue holiday shopping season is an event few retailers look likely to miss with 98.3 per cent of survey respondents indicating they were planning to take part, offering an average discount of 32 per cent.

Of those:

57.6 per cent of retailers will be offering discounts across all items

27.3 per cent will be offering limited discounting

11.1 per cent will offer a promotion but no discount

2.2 per cent will be taking part in another way

Just 1.7 per cent have indicated they will not be participating

“One of the most interesting points to note here is that the highest levels of discount activity come after Black Friday, during the holiday shopping season,” Yieldify notes.

“85 per cent are planning to offer some money off, and almost 60 per cent plan to discount across all items.”

Let the preparations begin

The report goes on to explain many retailers have already begun to prepare for the holiday season ahead.

As of early August, 77 per cent had begun creating their marketing campaigns. In fact, more than half of US marketers (52.5 per cent) and multi-channel retailers (52.6 per cent) started way back in July.

Meanwhile, 12.4 per cent will commence work on their campaigns in September, 6.4 per cent will begin in October, and 1.7 per cent will start in November.

And when it comes to launch date, August 27 is the approximate date most retailers intend to launch their Black Friday and Cyber Monday campaigns, while promotions for the holiday season are expected to commence on September 9, 109.5 days before Christmas.

08/14/1909/20/24

Security tags and labels – your questions answered

They may not be the most glamorous side of retail, but the right EAS security tags and labels go a long way to protecting merchandise against theft.

If your store is on the lookout for new tags or labels, here’s what you need to know…

What frequency?

Frequency is the first thing you need to factor in when considering which tags and labels will serve you best.

Electronic Article Surveillance operates on one of two frequencies; acousto magnetic (AM) and radio frequency (RF), and tags and labels are available to suit each.

You can learn more about the differences between RF and AM here, but the type of system your store has installed will dictate whether you need to be looking at RF or AM labels and tags.

Tag or label?

While fashion items and their accessories like handbags and shoes are natural candidates for hard security tags, other lower value items are better suited to adhesive security labels.

These labels are deactivated at the point of sale as part of the sales transaction, rather than detached.

In most cases it’s the value of the item, its size and the volume it is sold at that determines whether you should be looking at tags or labels.

As a rough guide:

Tags – Are suited to clothing, apparel, fashion accessories, handbags, shoes etc (you can learn more about selecting the right tag here)

Labels – Are suited to non-perishable groceries, pharmaceuticals, electronic accessories, perfumes, small items etc (You can learn more about selecting the right label here)

Which strength tag?

When it comes to security tags, the magnetic locking mechanism that secures them to a product is available in a variety of strengths.

That strength ranges from standard to superlock, hyperlock and multipolar. The stronger the magnetic strength, the harder it is for thieves to remove a tag illicitly. We recommend superlock as the minimum strength, with anything above that offering additional security.

In a nutshell, that means if you’re a high value fashion retailer, you should be looking at the stronger tag options to protect items from theft.

What pinhead size?

The pin is the part of a security tag that passes through the merchandise and into the locking mechanism where the EAS transmitter is housed.

The size of its pinhead affects how easy it is to illegally remove the tag by pushing it through or cutting a small hole in the product.

Round pin heads that are large or correspond in size with the security tag are considered the hardest to remove.

What type of label?

As we mentioned, the frequency of the label (RF or AM) depends on the system you have installed, however, some frequency labels are better suited to specific product types than others.

RF labels:

Are well-suited to retailers with high volumes of packaged products which require a flat paper label that can even be printed on

Are often favored by supermarkets, discount stores, book stores and video stores

Caution should be applied when using for RF labels with metallic or foil products or packaging due to tag detuning and reduced detection

AM labels:

Are well-suited to the protection of merchandise with a high metal/foil content such as consumer electronics, cosmetics, hardware, and pharmaceuticals.

Offer a slightly raised profile

Are often favored by drug stores, cosmetic stores, electronics retailers, and hardware outlets

What tag or label for what product?

In addition to offering tags for clothing and fashion merchandise, and labels for low value, high frequency items, there are also specific tags available for specific products like eyewear and liquor bottles.

You can learn more about selecting the right tags and labels for specific products here.

Should I buy in bulk?

Bulk purchases of both tags and security labels allow a retail outlet to enjoy economies of scale.

However, the volume of tags and labels you need to purchase should be carefully weighed against the volume of stock you have, the age of security tags and whether they are due for an upgrade with improved strength.

You can view our complete range of tags here and our lineup of labels here. We are also available to assist with any questions you may have about purchasing the right tags and labels for your store, and you can speak to our staff directly.

08/14/1909/20/24

Eight areas to improve the retail bottom line

US retailers could potentially improve their bottom line by up to $1.2 trillion by eliminating negative retail experiences, and through offering further positive ones.

These are the findings of a recent report commissioned by global payments provider Adyen, which notes negative experiences like out of stock events and long lines cost the industry $887 billion, while offering customers exactly what they want could add a further $296 billion to the coffers.

Here’s an insight into the negative experiences costing retailers billions…

Eight areas for improvement

Whether it’s queues that take too long, items that aren’t in stock or the inability to offer the right payment option, small but negative experiences soon add up in the customer experience, costing retailers loyalty and revenue.

And in an age where the next purchase is just a Google search away, reducing friction in the customer journey is considered a key to success.

In their report for Adyen, 451 Research interviewed 1506 consumers aged 18 and above across North America in addition to 451 retailers.

Here’s where they found retailers could improve their offering…

Out of stocks – $172 billion lost

In the six months prior, the report notes nine out of 10 North American shoppers chose to leave a store without making a purchase because an item was out of stock, resulting in a $172 billion loss to US retailers annually.

Long lines in-store – $134 billion lost

In an age of instant gratification, lengthy queues have serious implications for retail. The report found 6 in 10 customers abandoned a purchase and left the store as a result of long lines.

What’s more, of those who left, only 40 per cent resolved to still purchase from the same retailer afterwards.

Friction at online checkout – $124 billion lost

Online shopping should be simple, and the checkout is key to offering a frictionless experience. 451 Research found seven in 10 consumers abandoned their shopping cart due to problems at the online checkout.

Overly complex payment forms were the prime source of customer discontent.

Lack of preferred payment options online – $99 billion lost

With more and more payment options available, consumers are seeking choice when it comes to how they pay online.

Forty per cent of shoppers reported they had abandoned at least one online purchase due to the unavailability of their preferred payment method.

Lack of contextual commerce experience – $98 billion lost

With social media showcasing all the latest trends, consumers are looking for simple ways to get their hands on the products they see, and if they can’t buy now or locate the product easily, they’re walking away from the search.

451 Research says: “…49 per cent of surveyed shoppers reported having encountered an advertised product or service (such as on social media) that they were interested in, but then not made the purchase because too many steps were required to find the product/service.”

Lack of cross-channel buying options – $96 billion lost

Whether it’s buy online and pick up in-store, or home delivery, customers seek convenience and different ways to attain their products through cross-channel buying.

The research indicated 40 per cent of consumers abandoned a shopping experience due to lack of cross-channel buying.

Lack of preferred payment options in-store – $87 billion lost

Consumers expect to pay for items with the method that suits them, whether that’s cash, credit card, or contactless.

“In the past six months, nearly two in five (37 per cent) North American shoppers have been unable to use their preferred payment method with a retailer in-store, prompting them to abandon their purchase entirely, resulting in $87bn in abandoned sales on an annual basis,” the report claims.

False positives – $76 billion lost

Fraud might be increasing issue for many retailers, but the impacts of overzealous fraud prevention can also be detrimental to the retail bottom line.

Over a third (34 per cent) of consumers abandoned a purchase because their credit or debit card was falsely declined due to suspicion of fraud during a legitimate transaction.

More opportunity available

In addition to identifying eight areas where sales are being directly lost, 451 Research found three areas which were under-optimized, totaling $296 billion in untapped potential.

These included:

Cross channel buying (worth $111 billion), where research indicates shoppers will buy more or purchase something they hadn’t intended to if a retailer offers additional ways for the product to reach them, like “click and collect” or next day delivery.

Cross selling (worth $66 billion) – where the retailer suggests accompanying products for a purchase

Personalized offers (worth $118 billion)

08/08/1909/20/24

Cost versus savings of Electronic Article Surveillance

This year shoplifting will cost US retailers over $50.6 billion collectively with stores experiencing an average shrink rate of 1.38 per cent, according to the most recent research by the National Retail Federation.

In response over 80 per cent of retailers currently employ electronic article surveillance (EAS) in a bid to stem the loss, and many more are considering its use in the future.

If you’re among the retailers pondering the prospect of implementing EAS or upgrading your current system, here’s an insight into calculating the return on investment (ROI) of EAS.

Effective product-based security

In retail, EAS is regarded as one of the most simple and effective ways of protecting individual items against theft. The system sees antennas installed at the entryway to a store and security labels or security tags are affixed to individual merchandise.

Each tag and label houses a transmitter that remains in constant communication with the antenna. When a protected product comes into proximity of the store entryway, an alarm sounds, alerting staff to a potential theft.

The cost of EAS

Implementing EAS involves two sets of costs – initial and ongoing.

Initial costs

Initial costs include the purchase and installation of the antenna, along with the purchase of label deactivators and tag detachers, and sufficient security tags and labels to guard each individual product.

These costs will be impacted by factors like:

The type of system and level of security chosen

The size of the retail outlet being protected

The number of entryways that require protection

The width of the entryway and number of pedestals required

The way the antennas are installed – via pedestal, underfloor, overhead etc

Delivery and installation costs

The volume of merchandise and how many labels or tags will be required

The number of tag detachers or label deactivators required and their installation cost

Ongoing costs

Ongoing costs include:

System maintenance

Running costs (such as electricity consumption)

What is the lifespan of an EAS system?

Broadly speaking, a reputable EAS system has an expected lifespan of about 10-15 years. During that time it is required to reliably protect a retail outlet 24/7 with zero or minimum downtime and few if any false alarms.

Like any electronic device, you get what you pay for when you invest in EAS. While there are cheap options available, these may not represent the best value over the long term. You want your system to be reliable and stand the test of time.

Established EAS brands with a good reputation are more likely to offer value in the long-term as their reputation is built upon quality, reliability and longevity.

Meanwhile, retailers should also consider the fine print of any system, looking at factors like warranty, servicing schedules and ongoing support.

How much will EAS reduce theft?

When retailers implement an EAS system they can expect to see loss reduction of between 60 and 80 per cent.

Cost versus savings

Calculating the specific ROI of your chosen EAS system involves looking at the cost of your current stock losses due to theft and weighing them against the initial and ongoing costs of your proposed system, while factoring in depreciation over the desired term.

When considering the cost of theft, it’s important to factor in both “hard” costs and “soft” costs.

Hard costs of shoplifting

Hard costs are those that are quantifiable, such as the theft shrink rate. For example, in a store with annual sales of $1 million, a three per cent theft shrink rate would cost a retailer $30,000 per year.

Soft costs of shoplifting

Soft costs are those that are harder to ascertain, like the time it costs staff to access items that have to be locked away due to fear of theft, or the productivity cost of having staff watch the floor for theft rather than concentrating on selling.

There are also further hidden loss costs like products being out of stock due to theft, or the cost to the general ambiance of the store.

Weighing the initial and ongoing cost of an EAS system versus the current costs of shoplifting and the savings that will be achieved by implementing EAS allows you to ascertain the ROI of your EAS.

This rough calculation offers an insight into when your system is likely to pay itself off and the very real money it could save or even earn you in the long term.

The bottom line

There’s good reason EAS has attained such popularity in the retail world. For many store owners, the cost of implementing and running an EAS system is far less than the ongoing cost of theft.

Meanwhile, EAS helps ensure a retail environment remains welcoming. It is an unobtrusive and consistent loss prevention strategy that allows customer service staff to do their job, and consumers to effortlessly interact with products.

You can learn more about selecting the right EAS system for your store here, or talk to our friendly staff about security tags and labels for your store.

08/06/1909/20/24

Why security tags and labels are so effective

Now used by over 80 per cent of US retailers, security tags and labels are considered one of the primary strategies in the ongoing war against theft.

These universally applicable tools are used by large and small retailers alike, across all verticals with the items they protect ranging from electronics to apparel, and pharmaceuticals to groceries.

So why are security labels and tags considered so effective?

A quick EAS 101

In a nutshell, security tags and labels are part of what’s known as Electronic Article Surveillance. The system sees antenna installed at the entryway to a store, which remain in constant communication with security tags and labels, each housing tiny transmitters.

When an active tag or label comes into proximity of the entryway and antenna, an alarm sounds, alerting staff to the possibility of a theft.

Product based security

Unlike CCTV or security personnel who watch over an entire store, security tags and labels are a product-based security measure.

That means they guard individual items against theft. Basically, any item protected by a tag or label will sound an alarm when a shoplifter attempts to remove them from a store.

Accuracy

When properly implemented, electronic article surveillance is highly accurate and highly effective. Statistics indicate security tags and labels can reduce theft by around 80 per cent.

Importantly, this protection still facilitates the customer experience, allowing consumers to touch, try and interact with a product without the product being locked behind glass or impacted by cumbersome theft prevention tools.

Eliminating human error

For many retailers one of the key benefits of EAS is that the system is not prone to human error. Rather than acting on suspicion that a theft may be occurring, it uses technology to identify when a protected item is about to or is currently leaving the store.

In large retail outlets this helps support loss prevention officers tasked with protecting a store, while in smaller outlets it allows staff to get on with their job serving the customer in the knowledge they will be alerted should a theft be attempted.

Consistent protection

Why are security tags and labels so effective

When the antenna is switched on and tags or labels are fitted, the EAS system is at work. That means a store is safeguarded during all opening hours, no matter how busy it is or how many staff are on duty.

Easy to implement

One of the key attributes of electronic article surveillance is that it’s easy to implement and readily scalable.

Installation of EAS involves the fitting of antenna at the entryway. And as technology improves there are more and more ways of installing these systems. They can be as simple as a single or multiple pedestal antenna, or they can be concealed in door frames, under the entryway and even overhead.

After installation, additional stock is then protected by additional compatible tags and labels.

Hard to thwart

The technology and mechanics at the heart of EAS continues to evolve. Mechanisms that secure the tags and labels to stock are now stronger than ever.

In the case of tags, the magnetic strength used to secure a tag pinhead into the hard tag is now harder than ever before to thwart with strengths ranging from standard to super, then hyper and multi-polar.

Labels now boast super strong adhesives, come in a range of sizes and can even be concealed in packaging, making them increasingly hard for thieves to remove.

Meanwhile, tag sizes and types vary according to different products, while labels are also available in a range of sizes and shapes.

Simple to use

Possibly the biggest attribute of EAS and tags and labels is that the system is incredibly easy for staff to use. Tags are quickly affixed before stock hits the floor, and labels can even be applied at the point of manufacture, with barcodes included.

Once affixed, these tags and labels are consistently monitored by the antenna, ensuring every protected item is constantly under surveillance no matter where they are within the retail environment.

You can learn more about how security tags and labels work here, or speak with our friendly staff about the right tags and labels for your store.

08/01/1909/20/24

Factoring security into your store fitout

Although a necessity, retail loss prevention doesn’t have to be overwhelming and it certainly does not have to come at the cost of a beautiful store fitout.

In fact, good store design and theft prevention often work hand in hand, while recent innovations mean the appearance of theft prevention tools like electronic article surveillance are more streamlined and seamless than ever before.

Here are six ways to factor security into your store fitout…

Subtle antenna

Not so long ago, electronic article surveillance (EAS) involved bulky antenna at the store entry way. That’s no longer the case.

Over recent years the antenna that monitors security tags and labels have become more streamlined and sleeker in their design.

Now these antennas can feature signage, are slimmer than ever before or they can be totally concealed. Improvements in technology mean antenna can also be built into the doorway, be inserted under the entry way floor, or positioned overhead.

This allows retailers ultimate flexibility, in the knowledge their store is being monitored at a product-based level, while the entry to their outlet remains warm and inviting.

Limitless label and tag options

Going hand in hand with EAS antenna is the sheer breadth of variety available in EAS security tags and labels. Where once tags and labels were bulky and potentially interfered with the customer experience, now they’re more versatile, lightweight and reliable than ever before.

Tags come in a range of sizes and with different options to suit different purposes like optical tags for eyewear, bottle tags or liquor and lightweight yet secure lanyards and tags for handbags and shoes.

Labels also come in a host of different sizes and shapes and can even be secreted into packaging or combined with a product barcode.

Ultimately this allows retailers the opportunity to harness the power of EAS without compromising the customer experience.

Interactive displays

The modern consumer expects to be able to touch and feel the product they’re considering, which makes interactive displays a must-have for many retailers and especially those selling electronics.

These displays invite the customer in and let them experience and engage with a product. Yet, behind the scenes they still effortlessly cater to security.

Tethered displays or stands are among the most popular options, ensuring the product can be experienced yet still remains secure and charged.

Effortless cabinets

For high-value goods like jewelry, electronic accessories and smart phones, glass cabinets remain a popular way of securing yet showcasing the wares on offer.

And in this smart day and age, they are no longer as cumbersome as they once were. Now glass cabinets and even stock drawers can be secured with smart keys and locks, allowing one key to open any designated cabinet while tracking which staff member has access.

Fitting room guards

Even the humble fitting room has a role to play in the welcoming yet secure nature of any store fitout. Up until recently securing the fitting room involved ongoing staff vigilance.

These days the fitting room can be monitored against tampering and attempted theft using technological tools like the fitting room guard.

This allows retailers to be alerted when someone is tapering with security tags or attempting to steal an item, without compromising the customer’s privacy.

Lighting and design

Lighting and design have long played a role in both the security and the welcoming nature of a retail outlet.

Proper lighting ensures there are no dark areas where thieves might seek refuge to shoplift, while good design ensures all areas of the floor are visible to staff.

Not only does this deter theft, it offers a better customer experience overall, allowing store associates to better understand who’s interested in what product and whether assistance may be required.

You can learn more about loss prevention strategies here, or contact our friendly staff for advice on the EAS security tags and labels that are best suited to your store

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