Retail Security

4 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SECURITY TAG ALARMS

The fact that electronic article surveillance (EAS) notifies your workers to a suspected theft is by far the most effective aspect. 

 This helps retail employees to focus on the task at hand rather than being distracted by looking for shoplifters on the shop floor. 

There are, however, a few pointers to guarantee that alarms only sound when they should and that your employees understand what each alert implies. 

 So here are four things you should be aware of when it comes to security tag alarms… 

The significance of excellent practices in EAS 

As a retail loss prevention tool, EAS is highly popular and effective. When security tags and/or security labels are applied on items, the system detects them and, when they approach a zone near the shop exit, an alarm sounds to inform employees that a theft may be taking place. 

The system, however, is only as good as the regulations, processes, and education that it is surrounded by. 

That means your workers should be instructed on how EAS works and how to respond appropriately to a warning and its implications. 

Tag Pollution 

When another store fails to properly deactivate or remove a tag, tag pollution arises. Your EAS system may trigger when a consumer carrying that item enters your retail area. 

Most EAS antennas now incorporate a lighting system that shows if an alert is being triggered by an incoming or outgoing tag. 

The meaning of the illumination on the EAS antenna should be explained to the staff. 

When it’s likely that a tag from another business has triggered your alarm, they should be taught measures to follow, such as verifying the shopper’s bag. 

Alarm Fatigue  

It implies something when an EAS antenna raises an alarm. However, some establishments fail to follow EAS best practices, and the alert rings so frequently that employees become oblivious to its possible implications. 

This is generally due to one of four factors: 

Pollution should be labelled. 

Tags in the forbidden zone 

Failure to detach tags or deactivate labels appropriately. 

Inadequate EAS system maintenance and incorrect inspections. 

So, what exactly do each of these terms imply? 

The No Tag Zone 

A no-tag zone is defined as the area between and surrounding the EAS antenna. This is an area where branded or labelled items, as well as decorations with a high foil content, should be avoided. 

If there are any marked or labelled things in this vicinity, the EAS antenna will most likely sound. 

The EAS system is usually within six feet of the “No Tag” zone. 

As a quick check, extend your arms out like you’re performing a star leap and look around each pedestal for any security tags within reach or just out of reach. 

Alarms are produced by a tag in the area of the antenna in over 90% of documented occurrences of false alerting. 

Failure To Properly Detach Tags 

Security tags must be removed at the point of sale, while labels must be disabled, to prevent the EAS system from raising an alert when an item left the store. 

Staff should be thoroughly instructed on how to perform this efficiently, as well as provided with the necessary equipment. 

Deactivators can be included within the scanning area of the checkout so that the label is deactivated at the same time as the barcode is scanned during a sales transaction, whereas detachers are normally tethered to the POS. 

Daily Checks  

Your EAS system should be examined regularly and repaired as needed because it is a valuable piece of equipment that is meant to safeguard a merchant from loss. 

Your manufacturer’s recommendations are likely to specify exactly what checks and services are required, but at the very least, the system should be examined each morning before the store opens to verify it is powered up and operational. 

Staff should also make sure the label deactivator is turned on at the same time. 

Additional resources:  

https://www.securitytags.com/the-different-types-of-security-tags/ 

https://www.ineoproducts.com/blogs/industry-banter/tags-vs-labels-which-one-should-you-use 

https://www.ineoproducts.com/blogs/industry-banter/everything-you-need-to-know-about-security-labels 

 

COVID, retail, retail security, loss prevention, EAS

SIX WAYS COVID-19 MADE RETAILERS THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

COVID-19 brought hardship to the retail space. As lockdowns and unemployment rampaged on, going out to spend money was just not in the picture for the majority of people. Luckily a few advancements along with the drive to reach customers, retail stores were able to bounce back. 

 Expanding your offering 

One thing a lot of retail spaces did was expand the product line that they offered. Stores like Target, which already had a large selection of items, to begin with, reached even further by supplying essential goods in multiple ways, which is something we will touch on later in this post. 

Get Online 

Prior to COVID-19, people started to see the power of giving the customer the option to buy products online. Companies looked up to for things like this would be Amazon, Walmart, and Target, which played a role in growth in what we touched on a little bit ago. With people spending more time indoors and not wanting to go out and shop, why not bring the store right to their fingertips. Online shopping will only get more and more popular as time goes on and technology grows around it. The convenience factor will always be there and it gives people the time that would have been spent shopping, to pursue other things on the weekly to-do list. 

Be Informative 

This can be done in a number of ways. Using clothing retailers as the primary example, have ways to show off your product in more ways than just on a single model. Implementing things like size guides, models in all shapes and sizes, and even ways to mix and match multiple products. Lululemon is the best example here to give as not only did online shopping become easier for their shoppers, but with this also came an all-time high in sales and a huge increase in company stock.

Communication is key 

As seen time and time again during the height of the pandemic, being open and communicating with your customers makes things easier for everyone. Use the platforms all around you in things like social media and email flyers to get the word out. People want to know what’s going on, so coming out with plans for your retail space and products gives people the insight they have been looking for.  

Reach out 

Hitting on the point above, using things like social media platforms to start a dialogue with your customers. Be engaging, open, and informative when talking to customers, doing so will not only lead to more returning shoppers but by word of mouth, a great lump sum of newer customers. Ensuring you have a loyal customer base is one of the greatest building blocks used to example your retail space. 

 What about the In-Store Experience 

 Let’s not forget, even with all the rambling on about all the advancements made through online shopping, what about the people, especially as time goes on and things get closer to what we would call “normal”, that still want to go to an actual store? Let’s hit on a few points that have been updated over the last couple of years. Since consumers have the “get in and out quickly” mentality, retailers have reconfigured their stores to facilitate faster, more streamlined shopping trips. COVID-19 has also accelerated the need for retailers to shift to more experiential showrooms instead of traditional stores. A store that hits on both these points very well would be IKEA.

https://business.fiu.edu/graduate/insights/why-retailers-will-bounce-back-to-a-new-reality-after-the-pandemic.cfm 

 

https://www.thinkmax.com/en/insights/why-enhancing-the-post-covid-in-store-experience-should-be-top-of-mind-for-every-retailer/ 

 

https://www.retaildive.com/news/5-retailers-winning-despite-the-pandemic/586602/ 

Google shows faith in physical retail

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/15/lululemon-ceo-expects-digital-growth-momentum-to-continue-post-pandemic.html 

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rohitarora/2020/06/30/which-companies-did-well-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/?sh=669a34287409 

lanyard tag, cable tag, strap tag security tag rf tag

Let’s talk lanyard, cable and strap tags

In the world of electronic article surveillance, hard tags have evolved to protect a wide variety of products ranging from clothing to liquor, eyewear and fashion accessories.

And one way they have improved to accommodate these different products is through the addition of cables, lanyards or straps.

Cables, lanyards and straps allow hard tags to be affixed to products like footwear, handbags and more, offering a simple yet secure solution where the pinhead of the tag is not required to pass through the product.

So let’s talk lanyard, cable, and strap tags, how they work and when they are used to best effect…

What is a lanyard or cable tag?

Cable and lanyard tags are available in a variety of styles, but the principle is always the same; rather than having the tag fix directly to the item and the tag pinhead pass through the product, in this instance the security tag is affixed to the item using a cable, lanyard or strap.

These lanyards and cables are available in different strengths featuring materials which are resistant to being cut such as steel or heavy-duty plastics.

Some lanyards have pins on the end which then lock into the tag, some have secure loops which fit onto the tag, while some feature adjustable straps that affix to the product like a zip-tie and have the tag built-in.

The benefit of these types of tag options is that they allow retailers the ability to affix security tags to a wide range of products while catering to items of different sizes, shapes and materials.

So what type of products do we mean?

Products suited to lanyard and cable tags

Lanyard and cable tags work with a wide variety of products but are particularly suited to those tricky items where it’s not appropriate for the pinhead of a hard to pass through the product.

That means they can be used on:

  • Handbags
  • Sports shoes
  • Sporting goods
  • Luggage
  • Hardware tools

Let’s look at some examples…

Handbags

Often made of premium materials like leather, handbags frequently feature in the most stolen items’ list for both department stores and designer brands.

High in value, and easy to re-sell on the black market, they are a target for both organized retail crime (ORC) and individual shoplifters.

To combat this, lanyards are often used to affix a hard tag to the handbag, with the lanyard able to pass through either the zip-puller or the strap of the bag.

Sports shoes

Believe it or not footwear ranks as the most commonly stolen item in the apparel and fashion accessories vertical, according to the most recent Global Retail Theft Barometer.

Lanyards and tags offer a means to protect these items in an innovative way, particularly when it comes to sports shoes. In this instance, the lanyard or cable is inserted through a lace hole in the shoe, and then locks onto an EAS hard tag.

Luggage

Like handbags, luggage is protected with tags and lanyards by looping the lanyard through the luggage handle or through the eye of the zip-puller.

Hardware tools

High in value and sought after by thieves, hardware tools often require an innovative approach to theft prevention. Again, this is where an option like the strap tag is ideal. It firmly affixes to power tools or hand tools, and allows the item to be monitored by EAS at a product-based level.

The final word

These are just some of the ways that lanyards, cables and straps are used in conjunction with EAS security tags to prevent the theft of tricky items.

Of course, they can also be applied to a whole host of other products when standard clothing tags simply aren’t suited to the task.

 

You can see our full range of lanyard, cable and strap tag options here.

Where is your retail theft occurring

Where is your retail theft occurring?

As US retail gears up and gets back to business, theft prevention is set to again become a major priority.

Although statistics indicate theft events were down throughout 2020 due to store closures, of the events that did occur, the value of the amount stolen was higher, and stores deemed essential actually experienced a shoplifting increase.

Which begs the question, where is your retail theft occurring?

Because once you know where your risk is, you can devise the best strategies to mitigate loss.

The four major types of retail theft

When it comes to analysing retail theft, there are four major areas to look at shoplifting, employee theft, fraud, and organized retail crime (ORC).

Each has an impact on retail’s bottom line, with the current statistics available here.

However, to put it plainly, theft is part of a wider retail loss problem that cost the industry $61.7 billion in 2019 or 1.62 per cent of retail’s annual bottom line.

Shoplifting

Shoplifting is often the theft issue that gets the most attention, and there’s good reason this is the case.

Shoplifting continues to be the number one cause of retail loss, with both amateurs and professional thieves contributing to the problem.

On the flipside, shoplifting is also one of the easiest problems to address, but it is imperative to have a multi-pronged approach that protects the store overall and items at a product-based level.

The top shoplifting prevention strategies include:

  • Good store layout and lighting.
  • Staff education and training.
  • CCTV.
  • Loss prevention staff

Employee theft

Employee theft

Employee theft is a bit of a hidden epidemic, but the reality is each incident of employee theft costs a retailer more than general shoplifting.

That’s because employee theft often takes longer to identify and can take the form of false returns, gift card fraud, skimming or false reconciliation of inventory.

In fact, the 33rd Annual Retail Theft Survey by Jack L Hayes International found each incident involving a dishonest employee averaged $1219.61, which was up 3.8 per cent in 2020.

The top employee theft prevention strategies include:

  • Screening of all prospective employees.
  • Staff training.
  • A good work environment with fair remuneration.
  • Staff monitoring through CCTV and POS analytics.

Fraud

Fraud is becoming an increasing problem in retail theft, with perpetrators becoming more elaborate in their scams.

Some of the most common ways that fraud is committed to involve return fraud, credit card fraud, and gift card fraud.

Meanwhile, fraud is also an issue behind the scenes in terms of supplier fraud.

The best ways to mitigate the risk of fraud include:

  • Returns and gift card policies and procedures.
  • Staff training.
  • POS analytics.
  • Payment’s security.
  • Inventory reconciliation upon receipt of goods.

Organized retail crime

Organized retail crime

One of the biggest scourges of the modern retail landscape is organized retail crime, which sees a group of thieves deliberately target a retailer to steal items in volume.

Organized retail crime is incredibly costly to retailers. The National Retail Federation notes Organized Retail Crime cost retailers an average of $719,548 per $1 billion in sales in 2020.

Perhaps more concerning is that organized retail crime is often accompanied by violence, with the NRF’s Organized Retail Crime Survey 2020 finding the majority of retailers reported thefts involved more violence in 2020 than they did in 2019.

Combatting organized retail crime involves:

  • Training staff to identify the suspicious behaviour that can indicate an organized retail crime event is about to take place.
  • Storewide security such as CCTV and loss prevention personnel.
  • Electronic Article Surveillance.
  • Secure cabinets and lockable drawers.
  • Good store layout that prevents easy smash and grab events

The final word

In the coming months, retailers will be looking to make up for the lost ground of 2020, and that means the focus should return to theft prevention.

After all, increased foot traffic equals an increased risk of shoplifting, employee theft, fraud and organized retail crime.

You can find more resources for protecting your store against each here.

10 retail theft statistics in 2021

10 retail theft statistics in 2021

With retail on the rebound after the challenge of 2020, the concept of retail theft might be the furthest thing from store owners’ minds.

But, as retailers seek to embrace the return of foot traffic in-store, preventing loss should remain a major priority.

With that in mind, here are 10 retail theft statistics to keep you focussed on the battle at hand…

Retail theft at an all-time high

According to the 2020 National Retail Security Survey, theft reached an all-time high of $61.7 billion in 2019, up from $50.6 billion the year prior.

Granted, this data is from before the Coronavirus pandemic, but further research from Jack L Hayes International indicates the issue did not disappear, despite widespread shutdowns.

In fact, their data indicates theft from stores deemed ‘essential’ actually increased in 2020.

A significant portion of retail’s bottom line

The all-time high figure from 2019 equates to 1.62 per cent of retail’s annual bottom line, compared to 1.38 per cent in 2018.

Shrink rate rising

This industry’s high shrink value in 2019 was driven by an increase in the average shrink rate, with more and more retailers recording a shrink rate above 3 per cent.

The report found in 2019, 18.2 per cent of retailers reported a shrink rate of 3 per cent or higher (compared to just 10.9 per cent in 2018).

Covid saw shoplifting incidents down, but value up

Covid saw shoplifting incidents down, but value up

With Covid lockdowns seeing much of the retail sector closed temporarily during 2020, there were fewer reported thefts, according to the 33rd Annual Retail Theft Survey by Jack L Hayes International.

Last year, shoplifting apprehensions were down 43.8 per cent and recovery dollars decreased 36.5 per cent.

However, the value of each incident increased. In 2020, shoplifting averaged $310.11, which was an increase of 13 per cent the year prior.

Dishonest employees remain a major issue

Like shoplifting, events involving dishonest employees decreased during the shutdowns of 2020.

In total, 26,463 dishonest employees were apprehended, according to the 33rd Annual Retail Theft Survey, but the value of each event was higher.

Last year each employee theft averaged $1219.61 (up 3.8 per cent in 2020).

Essential retail experiences a theft increase

While shutdowns reduced the opportunity for dishonest employee theft and shoplifting, the essential retailers that were open throughout 2020 experienced an increase in theft.

In essential retail, shoplifting rose 7.9 per cent while employee theft also rose 2.7 per cent.

Theft recovery costs money

For every $1 recovered by companies surveyed by Jack L Hayes International, $33.15 was lost to retail theft.

Therefore, only 2.9 per cent of total retail theft losses resulted in recovery.

Increased theft concern

Increased theft concern

The most recent National Retail Security Survey also found retailers were increasingly concerned about a number of loss trends emerging in-store.

The report noted in the past five years:

  • 29 per cent of retailers viewed e-commerce crime as much more of a priority.
  • 5 per cent saw organized retail crime as much more of a priority.
  • 5 per cent viewed data breaches as much more of a priority.
  • 3 per cent had been increasingly focussed on internal theft.
  • 3 per cent viewed return fraud as much more of a priority.

Organized Retail Crime on the up

According to the Organized Retail Crime Survey 2020 by the National Retail Federation, Organized Retail Crime cost retailers an average of $719,548 per $1 billion in sales, which was up from $703,320 in 2019.

Greater aggression during thefts

The Organized Retail Crime Survey 2020 also noted the majority of retailers reported thefts involved more violence in 2020 than they did in 2019.

Almost a third of respondents (31 per cent) said perpetrators were much more aggressive, 26 per cent said they were somewhat more aggressive, 41 per cent reported the aggression was the same as the year prior and just two per cent said perpetrators were less aggressive.

You can read about strategies to combat shoplifting and retail loss here. Or, view our security tags and security labels.

how-covid-affected-retail-theft

How COVID affected retail theft

The data is in and while reported incidents of shoplifting and employee theft declined in 2020, the value of each incident increased.

According to the 33rd Annual Retail Theft Survey by Jack L Hayes International, over 184,000 shoplifters and dishonest employee were apprehended in 2020 by just 22 large retailers. In total over $81 million was recovered.

Here’s a breakdown of what the survey showed…

Fewer shoplifting incidents

With Covid lockdowns seeing much of the retail sector closed temporarily during 2020, there were fewer reported thefts.

Last year, shoplifting apprehensions were down 43.8 per cent and recovery dollars decreased 36.5 per cent.

In total, 158,158 shoplifters were apprehended by the 22 major retail chains surveyed.

Meanwhile, dishonest employee apprehensions decreased by 20.3 per cent while recovery dollars were down 17.2 per cent, and in total, 26,463 dishonest employees were apprehended.

That said, shoplifting in the retail sectors deemed ‘essential’ experienced an increase of 7.9 per cent while employee theft also rose 2.7 per cent.

Incident value increased

Incident value increased

While the number of shoplifting and theft incidents was down, the value of each event increased significantly.

In terms of total thefts, each event averaged $440.48, which was up 19.2 per cent on the year prior.

Meanwhile, shoplifting averaged $310.11, which was an increase of 13 per cent and each employee theft averaged $1,219.61 (up 3.8 per cent in 2020).

The true cost of theft

The survey also took the time to dive a little deeper into how much was lost compared to how much was recovered.

“For every $1 recovered by our surveyed companies, $33.15 was lost to retail theft. Therefore, only 2.9% of total retail theft losses resulted in recovery,” they noted.

This figure is based on the assumption that annual retail sales of the participating companies were $508 billion and the average shrink rate was 1.62 per cent of sales according to the 2020 National Retail Security Survey.

The reasons behind shoplifting increases and decreases

The reasons behind employee theft increases or decreases

Those stores which experienced a shoplifting increase cited the following reasons:

  • ORC (Organized Retail Crime) continues to be a primary factor.
  • fewer stores to choose/steal from.
  • Saw significant increase in “theft for need”.
  • Legislation increasing felony thresholds embolden thieves.
  • More ‘hit n run’/fleeing shoplifters.

Meanwhile, those that noted a decrease in incidents attributed it to the following:

  • Store closures resulted in fewer shoppers.
  • Transition to deterrence/recovery during the pandemic.
  • Closing of fitting rooms for extended periods of time.
  • Focused on better customer service.
  • Less LP/AP staff due to restructuring or transition.

The reasons behind employee theft increases or decreases

In terms of employee theft, retailers which experienced an increase attributed it to the following:

  • More focus/attention towards associate theft.
  • Improved technology/analytic tools resulted in more DE cases.
  • Fewer associates in-store created more opportunities for dishonest employees.
  • Increase in loyalty card fraud.
  • Increase in discount abuse cases.

Those who enjoyed a decrease cited the reasons listed below:

  • Store closures and furloughed associates.
  • Less focus on apprehensions and more focus on pandemic issues.
  • Better prevention with additional technology at POS.
  • Reduced travel by LP/AP staff.
  • Decrease in LP/AP staff due to restructuring or transition

You can find the full Annual Retail Theft Survey here, or see our top tips on loss prevention.

retail-costly-managing-returns-challenge

Retail’s costly returns challenge

In a retail landscape where the consumer experience is designed to be frictionless and omnichannel is par for the course, returns are emerging as a major challenge for retailers.

Not only does handling returns cost a retailer time and money, but returned merchandise also presents a fraud liability and as Retail Dive recently noted, has a very real environmental impact as well.

Here’s an insight into the challenge that retailers now face when it comes to managing returns.

The returns reality

According to the National Retail Federation, customers returned $428 billion worth of merchandise in 2020.

To put that in perspective, that equalled 10.6 per cent of total retail sales last year and equated to $106 million worth of returns per $1 billion in sales.

While the percentage of returns compared to sales was roughly in line with the year prior, the NRF did go on to note online returns had experienced a marked increase that could arguably be attributed to COVID-19 and the year which saw most people shopping over the internet.

Meanwhile, the top categories of merchandise returned included:

  • auto parts (19.4 per cent).
  • apparel (12.2 per cent).
  • home improvement (11.5 per cent).
  • housewares (11.5 per cent).

More than one-fifth of returns were completed through credit cards, followed by cash (12.7 per cent) and debit cards (7 per cent).

And, while retailers may aim to make the return process simple in the interests of satisfying their customer, managing returns comes with a series of hidden and obvious costs.

A fraud liability

Managing returns - a fraud liability

Returns have always offered the potential for fraudulent activity, and as the NRF explains, last year was no different.

Of the returns made last year, they found roughly 5.9 per cent, or $25.3 billion worth, were fraudulent.

In online retail this percentage rose, with 7.7 per cent of returns to online retailers labelled fraudulent.

Ultimately that means for every $100 in returned merchandise accepted, retailers lose $5.90 to return fraud.

The hidden cost

When it comes to handling returns, it costs a retailer time and money, but often this isn’t measured.

There’s the cost of serving the customer as they make the return, then there’s the time involved with inspecting the packaging, and sending it back through the supply chain to get it back on the shelf (if indeed that’s where it is to end up).

Retail Dive recently argued measuring the cost of returns properly could improve the retailer’s bottom line.

They note most often, retailers look at their sales but do not look at returns, with the major reason being that data is often siloed throughout an organization.

Environmental issue

Environmental issue - Managing returns

In addition to costing the retailer, Retail Dive also notes returns take a very real environmental toll, and in the future that could well impact the customer’s perception of an organization’s sustainability.

Many customers believe they make a return and it’s simply placed back on the store’s shelf or repackaged and resold online.

Often, that’s not the case. The item is instead directed to a landfill or destroyed, with around five billion pounds of goods ending up in landfill annually.

Then there’s also the further environmental cost of the transportation required to handle returned goods.

So, what’s the answer?

Finding a solution to the return challenge

Handling returns properly lies in retailers having a deep understanding of the process, its cost and its impact.

There should be policies in place instore to minimize fraudulent claims, while each retailer should be mapping exactly what happens in the returns process.

Then, Retail Dive argues it could be time to investigate new models that are designed to minimize the environmental impact and improve the retail bottom line.

You can read the recent Retail Dive article on sustainable returns here, or view the strategies available to reduce return fraud here.

things-you-need-to-know-about-security-tag-alarms

Four things you need to know about security tag alarms

By far the most effective feature of electronic article surveillance (EAS) is the fact it alerts your staff to a potential theft occurring.

This allows retail staff to get on with the job at hand, without being overly distracted watching the shop floor for shoplifters.

However, there are a series of hints to ensure alarms only sound when they should, and your staff understand exactly what each alarm means.

So here are four things you need to know about security tag alarms…

The importance of EAS best practice

EAS as a retail loss prevention solution is hugely popular and extremely effective. The system sees security tags and/or security labels affixed to products and when they enter a zone near the store exit, an alarm automatically sounds to alert staff a theft may be occurring.

That said, the system is only as good as the policies, procedures and education that surround it.

That means your staff should be educated in how EAS works and follow the correct protocols when it comes to an alarm and its meaning.

Tag pollution

Tag pollution occurs when another retailer fails to properly deactivate a label or remove a tag. When a shopper carrying that item enters your retail environment, it may cause your EAS system to activate.

These days most EAS antenna have a lighting system that indicates whether an alarm is sounding due to an inbound tag, or an outbound tag.

Staff should be educated on what the lighting means on the EAS antenna.

They should also be given protocols to follow when it is likely a tag from another store has activated your alarm, for example, perhaps checking the shopper’s bag.

Alarm fatigue

Every time an EAS antenna sounds an alarm, it means something. But sometimes stores fail to follow EAS best practice and the alarm sounds so often that staff begin to ignore its potential meaning.

This usually comes down to one of four issues:

  • Tag pollution.
  • Tags in the no-go zone.
  • Failure to properly detach tags or deactivate labels.
  • Incorrect checks and inadequate EAS system maintenance.

So, what do each of those mean?

The no-tag zone

The area between and around the EAS antenna is considered a no-tag zone. This an area that should be kept free of tagged or labelled products and even decorations with a high foil content.

If tagged or labelled items are positioned in this area, it is likely to cause the EAS antenna to sound.

The “No Tag” zone is generally within six feet of the EAS system.

As a simple check, stretch your arms out like you are doing a star jump, and make sure there are no security tags within, or just out of your reach, all around each pedestal.

In over 90 per cent of reported cases of false alarming, alarms are caused by a tag within the vicinity of the antenna.

Failure to properly detach tags or deactivate labels

Failure to properly detach tags or deactivate labels

In order to stop the EAS system from sounding an alarm when an item exits the store, security tags need to be detached at the point of sale, while labels need to be deactivated.

Staff should be properly trained on exactly how to do this effectively, and should also be given adequate tools to do so.

Detachers are usually anchored to the POS, while deactivators can be incorporated into the scanning area of the checkout so that the label is deactivated at the same time as the barcode is processed during a sales transaction.

Daily checks

As a valuable piece of equipment that is designed to protect a retailer from loss, your EAS system should be checked daily and serviced when required.

Your manufacturer likely has guidelines for exactly what checks and servicing needs to occur, but as a minimum, the system should be checked prior to store opening each morning to ensure the system is powered up and working correctly.

At the same time, staff should also ensure the label deactivator is switched on.

You can learn more about EAS best practice to reduce false alarms here, or view our range of security tags here, and security labels here.

Best practice tips for security tags and labels

Electronic article surveillance consistently ranks as one of the most effective strategies in the fight against retail shoplifting and employee theft.

Comprising security tags, security labels and antenna, the system sees merchandise protected at a product-based level, acting as a system that alerts retailers to incidents of theft.

But like all technology and indeed all loss prevention strategies, it is only as good as the practices, procedures and training that support it.

So here are our top best practice tips for security tags and labels…

Train your staff

An EAS system is designed to support your staff in the fight against shoplifting, but to do so it needs to be working effectively and staff should understand exactly how it functions.

Your EAS antenna should be checked daily to ensure the power is switched on, the antenna is working, and the label deactivators are also powered up and functioning correctly.

Meanwhile, staff should also be trained in the tag ‘no go’ zone around the antenna. This is the zone that should be kept clear of tagged merchandise, EAS labels, or even foil decorations that could interfere with the functioning of the antenna.

They should also be made aware of tag pollution that sometimes occurs when a tag has not been detached at another store and enters theirs.

Type, size and strength matters

Tags and labels come in different types and sizes.

Security tags

Security tags - Vitag - EAS
Featured products: Bosstag Super D Tag and Shell Ink Tab

When it comes to tags, there are different magnetic strengths and there are different types of tags suited to specific uses.

Strength

Security tags come in different strengths, including standard, super strength, hyper-strength and multi-polar. This strength impacts how easy it is for shoplifters to force the tag apart. Super strength is the minimum tag strength recommended with strengths above that offering additional security.

Types

In addition to clothing tags, there are also tags that are purpose-designed to protect items like liquor and eyewear.

Meanwhile, tags can be affixed to products in different ways as an alternative to having the tag pin pass through the product. Options include lanyards and cable tags which are suited to products like handbags or sports shoes.

Size

Tags are also available in different sizes and shapes, including circular, pencil-shaped, and square. Circular shapes where the size of the front of the tag corresponds with the back are often considered best as they are harder to prise apart.

Pinhead size

There are also different sizes available for the pinheads that secure a tag to a product. The larger the pinhead, the harder it is for a shoplifter to illegally force the pinhead through the product to remove it.

Security labels

security labels
Featured products: Sensormatic APX AM labels and Dummy barcode labels 30×30

Like tags, security labels come in either RF or AM frequencies. RF labels tend to be flat and can be printed on if required. AM labels have a slightly raised profile and are better suited to products with metal or foil in them.

Position is a priority

Where you position tags and labels on products matters in the interests of the look of your merchandise and also ease at the checkout when it comes to detaching tags and deactivating labels.

Tags

Security tags should be positioned so as not to interfere with the customer’s experience of the product. That positioning should also be uniform across similar products.

For example, tags might be positioned on the rear waistband of denim jeans, or the rear pocket. On shirts or blouses, they might be positioned on the back of the item, just below the collar.

Positioning tags uniformly looks neater in-store but also allows the sales associate to quickly find and detach them.

 

Labels

Labels should be positioned near the product barcode. This allows the label to be swiftly deactivated at the point of sale when the item is scanned.

Looking for more tips? You can learn more about the different types of security tags here, or view the different types of security labels and stickers here.

retail-beyond-the-pandemic-where-to-from-here

Retail beyond the pandemic – where to from here?

A new report has defined five key areas bricks and mortar retailers can focus on in a bid to improve the bottom line as the COVID recovery for the retail sector increases in momentum.

Artificial Intelligence company Olvin recently released their ‘Retail Statistics, Trends, and Forecasts For 2021’, noting there is exciting opportunity for real-world retail in the years ahead, but only if they capitalise on lessons learned in 2020.

Here’s an insight into what they found…

The fallout from 2020

Olvin minced a few words when it came to outlining just how tough 2020 was on retailers.

They noted 90 per cent of consumers said their shopping habits had been impacted by COVID, while bricks and mortar shopper volume was down by a third compared to 2019 in October alone.

Of the verticals affected, fashion was among the hardest hit, with revenues in 2020 down 27 per cent to 30 per cent compared with 2019.

Still, it wasn’t all bad news.

Some areas of retail actually grew, with food and beverage sales up 8.5 per cent, general retail increasing by 7.8 per cent, and cleaning products alone seeing a spike in sales of up to 40 per cent.

Meanwhile, omnichannel retail was of course a clear winner.

“Around 15 per cent of consumers that responded to an online survey said that as of June 2020, they were using online, pickup, or in-store services more often,” Olvin reported.

“And that’s partly because of the increase in businesses that are investing in omnichannel – the use of omnichannel approaches has risen by 80 per cent since the start of 2020.

“It makes sense – retailers have to adapt, and there has probably never been a time that they have needed to adapt faster than during a global pandemic.”

The road ahead

Alibaba

The retail sector rebounded over the holiday season with record spending also extending into Valentine’s Day and Easter.

That said, Olvin notes around 40 per cent of Americans don’t expect their finances to return to normal until late 2021 or even 2022 and beyond.

Despite this, there is a widespread sense of optimism in the recovery of the economy. Forty-one per cent of people in the US said they were optimistic about the economic future.

And, as a result, 12,200 stores have revised their plans to close.

But how can retailers maximise that optimism and translate it to the opportunity ahead?

Bricks and mortar potential

Olvin said despite a tough 2020, there is hope for the future of real-world retail based on the recent resurgence in both sales and optimism.

But they note it will centre around four key trends emerging post-COVID.

A focus on the consumer

More than ever before, the customer experience will be critical in the months ahead.

“Knowing your customers might be one of the first rules of retail, but after setting up, many businesses lose sight of what their customers want…,” Olvin said.

Ethical activity

The conscious consumer has steadily been shaping retail in recent years. The period ahead sees this trend likely to strengthen.

“The increase in the amount of information that is available about companies means that consumers are also becoming increasingly conscious of the power their purchases have,” Olvin said.

“Customers are not only choosing the products they buy much more consciously, but they are also deciding which businesses they are prepared to buy from much more carefully too.”

Cost-cutting

The retail bottom line is increasingly becoming the differentiator between the stores that thrive and those who fail to survive. And shoring up this bottom line through cost-cutting is essential.

“To remain competitive, retailers are likely to be cutting their costs significantly in 2021 – and will need to do so while keeping the right balance with their ethical credentials,” Olvin noted.

Creative use of space

The traditional bricks and mortar could well be a thing of the past, with retailers reconsidering exactly how they utilise their physical real estate.

That’s seeing an increase in alternative uses of retail space, whether it’s a dispatch outlet, an immersive experience, coffee outlets, or in-store recycling facilities.

The final word

When it comes to where people intend to purchase their Easter-related items, discount stores are the most popular choice, with 43 per cent of survey respondents noting they intended to shop there.

Discount stores are followed by:

  • Department stores – 35 per cent.
  • Online – 35 per cent (the highest percentage in the survey’s history and up from 28 per cent last year).
  • Specialty stores – 23 per cent.
  • Small businesses or local stores – 23 per cent.

Meanwhile, as vaccination rates increase, celebrations are also on the rise.