This September TrustTag participated in EQUIPMAG in Paris and showcased its most recent loss prevention products. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your visiting at our booth.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for further information regarding on our products and services.
The EQUIPMAG trade show is one of the largest events for professionals in the retail industry.
This year at EQUPIMAG, TrustTag will be showcasing a variety of high quality loss prevention source tagging solutions including sew-in labels, EAS Seal Tag, hard tags and RFID. We intend to set a benchmark at this show as we are expanding our business globally.
Join TrustTag at EQUIPMAG to find out more about our range of retail loss prevention solutions, services and other information.
SEE YOU SOON AT BOOTH 3A076.
Dear Valued Customer,
This June, TrustTag participated the NRF 2016 retail show in Philadelphia and we are happy to announce that our NRF 2016 was a big success thanks to our team effort and all the participants. Our participation in this show is a huge milestone as we took a huge step forward to thrive and expand our business in North America. In the retail show, TrustTag displayed its latest high quality, innovative and precision engineered retail loss prevention products which are designed to meet the needs of retailers. As one of the world leading EAS manufactures, we sent a clear message to all the retailers during the show that our main philosophy since day one is to provide our business partners with high quality, innovative and precision engineered retail loss prevention products.
Last but not the least, we’d like to thank all the participants for visiting us during the show and our dedicated team for making this a great show.
Everything You Need to Know About EAS Tags
What’s an EAS?
What’s an EAS tag?
An EAS tag is one of the three basic components of an EAS system. It is essentially a security device that is attached to a product or any other similar asset to make it constantly visible to a reader and an antenna (the other two components of the system) and ultimately prevent theft.
In most cases, alarms are triggered whenever anyone tries to bring unpaid tagged merchandise out of a store or forcefully removes a tag from a product.
What kinds of EAS tags are available?
There are two basic categories of EAS tags: active and passive. Simply put, active tags have a built-in power source and are designed to withstand extreme conditions and possess over 100 meters of read range, while passive ones rely on readers and antennas for power to work and have a much smaller read range (up to six meters maximum).
In terms of physical design, however, a tag can come in so many different forms. It can be a hard tag, a sticker, a label, a cable, a hang tag or even a sewn-in piece of cloth. Some are small and practically invisible, while others are big enough to act as a deterrent for would-be shoplifters.
How do they work?
Active EAS tags constantly send out signals to the antennas and readers in fixed time intervals. Passive ones, on the other hand, wait until they receive a request from an antenna and a reader before they can send a signal back. They wouldn’t be able to function otherwise because they work by converting the electronic requests they receive the power that they need to generate and send out a signal of their own.
In either case, the signal the tags send out contain various types of information that the reader then interprets or sends to a data analytics software.
How much do they cost?
In general, active tags cost so much more than their passive counterparts. You can get them for anywhere between $20 and $100 per piece, while passive ones typically cost less than $1.
Why the big price difference? Well, active tags are designed to withstand much harsher working conditions and are able to transmit more information to a wider read zone than passive ones. This is why they are more popular in heavy industries like mining, logistics, gas and oil.
Does this mean you should count passive tags out? Of course not. While active tags may have the advantage in some industries, passive tags are still more cost-effective solution in industries like retail, payment processing and manufacturing.
So, which one should I use?
At the end of the day, it all depends on your needs and budget. But regardless of the option you go for, the bottom line is that EAS tags are a great way to secure your products and other similar assets.
What are Active RFID EAS Systems?
The basics
The system comes with three basic components: a reader, an antenna and, of course, a tag. It’s more or less the same as any other type of tag-based EAS system.
In most cases, active RFID tags operate using two primary frequencies: 433 MHz and 915 MHz. Choosing which frequency to use depends on the environmental conditions where the tags would be used. 433 MHz tags are generally preferred for non-RF-conducive environments because they emit longer wavelengths that are better able to withstand interference caused by materials like metal and water.
Types
There are two types of active RFID tags: beacons and transponders. As the name implies, beacons continuously emit a signal (typically every three to five seconds) regardless of whether or not it receives a request from a reader. In contrast, transponders function almost just like passive systems where they wait for an actual request from a reader before sending out a signal.
Beacons generally have a much wider transmit range than transponders (hundreds of meters away), but transponders make up for its limited range with its superior battery life.
Applications
With either type having its own set of pros and cons, which one should you choose? Well, it all depends on what you need the tags for.
Beacons are typically used in the mining, gas and oil industries, but are also popular for their cargo tracking capabilities. Transponders, on the other hand, are more suited to close-range applications like secure access control and toll both payment processing.
Cost of ownership
Active RFID systems are typically more expensive than their passive counterparts, with tags costing anywhere between $20 and $100 apiece, depending on how tough and feature-rich you need each tag to be. Considering how you can get passive tags for under a Dollar per piece, active tags are indeed a much more significant investment.
What you are paying for
Let’s start with the most important thing: unparalleled durability. Because active RFID systems are typically used in high-stress situations, harsh weather conditions and extreme temperatures, they are built much tougher than their passive counterparts.
They also give you so much more in terms of functionality. Aside from their vast read ranges, they can also be used to keep track of location, moisture levels and even temperature, which could be vital information depending on the industry that you are working in.
At the end of the day, there are just some applications that passive systems are not equipped to handle. Going the cheaper route, in this case, could easily cost you so much more money in the long run in the form of repairs, replacements, and additional components.
Passive RFID EAS Systems: A Primer
What’s in it?
Each tag is typically made up of two parts: an antenna and an IC circuit or microchip. It does not have a battery (unlike active RFID tags) and just gets its power from the signal sent by a reader.
How does it work?
The reader sends a signal to the antenna, which converts it into RF waves. The waves are then broadcast within the EAS system’s read zone to be picked up by the tags. Each tag, in turn, uses its internal antenna to convert the waves into energy that is then used by its IC circuit to send a signal back to the reader.
Also known as a backscatter, this return signal is slightly different from the original one. This difference is what ultimately gives the reader all the information that it needs from each tag.
What are its frequency ranges?
Passive EAS systems typically use three frequency ranges: low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and ultra-high frequency (UHF).
Despite their very short read ranges, LF waves (125-134 KHz) are extremely long and have the best resistance to interference caused by metal or water. This is why LF tags are commonly used in animal tracking applications.
HF waves (13.56 MHz), on the other hand, fall right smack in the middle in terms of read ranges with its range of up to one meter. They are typically used for data transmission, access control, passport security and pretty much any other similar applications that don’t require long-range readings.
Finally, UHF waves (865-960 MHz) are very short and possess high levels of energy, which gives them a five- to six-meter read range. This makes them perfect for applications like in-store asset or inventory tracking and even race timing.
What do the tags look like?
Passive tags come in all shapes and sizes and are made with all kinds of different materials so there’s no uniform look to speak of. It all depends on what the intended application is. There are tags that are as small and thin as a price tag, but there are also those that are a lot bigger and are made with harder materials like plastic or metal.
Five Advantages of Using UHF RFID Tags in Retail
Radio frequency basics
Faster data read rate
Faster waves mean faster data transfer. This allows your antennas to receive more information in a much shorter amount of time – up to 20x shorter than HF to be exact. Of course, in the fast-paced world of retail, speed is of the essence, especially if you’re running a big store that’s always packed with rushing customers. There’s just so much going on that you can’t afford to experience any lag in any part of your operation.
Better range
Another benefit of UHF radio waves is that they travel so much farther than their LF and HF counterparts. This ultimately gives you more wiggle room in terms of how you can layout your store. It also allows you to position each product wherever you want without running the risk of having its tag go out of your antenna’s range.
Lower cost
Every tag-based EAS system relies on two components to work: an antenna or a reader and a whole lot of tags. Obviously, antennas are pretty much a one-time investment (at least until they break down), but tags are more of a regular expense so you’d want something that won’t break the bank. Well, UHF RFID tags are also generally cheaper than LF and HF tags, which is probably why more and more retailers are switching to them.
Better compatibility
Unlike LF and HF tags that follow multiple competing standards, UHF tags comply with a single international Gen2 standard. This means that there are no compatibility issues to worry about when you go UHF. All you have to do is get a good antenna and some decent tags and you’re all set.
Can be read simultaneously
UHF antennas can read hundreds of tags at the same time – which makes it perfect for all sorts of retail applications. No matter how busy your store gets, you can rest assured that your UHF EAS system will be able to keep up.
But aren’t ultra-high frequencies more prone to interference?
Well, in theory, that’s true. This is why in the past, retailers were hesitant to adopt the technology. Liquids and practically any kind of metal can easily jam the signal and cause the system to stop working. This means that anyone who knows the basics of how radio frequencies work can easily trick UHF systems and successfully commit a theft.
The good news is that UHF tags and antennas have come a long way since then. Manufacturers have now successfully implemented various methods to overcome their past limitations.
Of course, at the end of the day, no security measure is 100% effective against all kinds of threats. This is why it’s still a good idea to invest in more than one. Hire a good security team, use strong locks, install mirrors – the more you put in place and the more varied the methods you use, the harder you make it for shoplifters to succeed.
The bottom line
With the new technologies that allow it to overcome the limitations that plagued it in the past, UHF RFID systems are now becoming the preferred solution of retailers all over the world. Couple these with their high-speed and multi-source data transfer and processing, superior cost-effectiveness and worry-free compatibility and you’ve got a product that is truly hard to beat.
Three Keys to Effective Retail Security
Hiring the right people, training everyone else
Start by getting people who have experience in loss prevention in the retail industry. Retailers like yourself, in most cases, are not really experts when it comes to retail security, so you need someone who knows exactly what to keep an eye out for, how to respond to perceived threats and how to react when an incident does actually happen.
But what about your staff? Well, this is where the “training everyone else” part comes in. Everything you learn from your security team must be passed on to every member of your staff. Keep in mind that guards can only cover so much ground. You’ll need all the help you can get in keeping your store safe. From the management team all the way to the interns (if you have any), everyone should know at least the basics of retail security.
Making theft difficult
When it comes to theft prevention, simply making committing the act more challenging goes a long, long way. Most would-be shoplifters would just move on to an easier target instead of running the risk of getting caught. And for anyone else who’s still bold enough to try, there are still other security measures to worry about.
So, how exactly do you make theft more difficult? Well, for starters, get a good electronic article surveillance (EAS) system. By simply attaching electronic tags on all your products and then installing sensors on all entry and exit points, you automatically make it much more challenging for people to bring unpaid merchandise out.
Recording everything
Of course, no solution works 100% of the time. More seasoned shoplifters would probably figure out a way to beat your store’s security. But this is where a good CCTV system comes in. By making sure that you record everyone who comes in and goes out of your store – and what they do while inside – you significantly increase your chances of catching shoplifters even after the theft has already been committed.
At the end of the day, experienced and well-trained people, a deterrent and a good video recording system are all you really need to beef up your store’s security.
Top Three Security Challenges of Running a Clothing Store
Dressing rooms
Whenever a customer goes in one to try some clothes on, you automatically lose any visual contact with them. This essentially gives them a free hand to do anything they want with your merchandise.
Now, the situation shouldn’t be that bad if you were able to keep track of all the items they brought in. Unfortunately, if you weren’t, then there’s really no way you’d know whether there are any missing items once the customer comes out.
Easily concealable merchandise
Small products and even bigger ones that can be made smaller by folding (like clothes) can easily be tucked into a small bag or hidden under loose clothing. This makes it very easy for shoplifters to take unpaid merchandise out of stores with poor security.
Too many distractions
If you’ve had your clothing store for a while, then you probably know just how busy it could be. With people asking your staff for different color and size options all day and then going in and out of your dressing rooms to try stuff out, there’s just too much going on to physically keep track of everything. This presents shoplifters with a whole lot of openings to strike.
The fix
Invest in a good electronic article surveillance (EAS) system so your products are protected even when no one is looking. All it requires you to do is attach some form of security tag, sticker or label onto all the items in your inventory and then put up sensors on all entry and exit points of your store – and you don’t even have to do it yourself. Some providers can actually do it at the manufacturing level.
The end result is that if anyone ever tries to bring an unpaid item out, the security tags will cause the sensors to trigger an alarm, alerting your team to the theft. The same thing happens when someone tries to remove the tags by force.
At the end of the day, while it’s always good to have attentive and well-trained staff, it’s still best to have some form of unmanned security measures in place as a back up to further beef up your store’s security.
Three Ways to Security Tethers Can Help Improve Your Bottom Line
Protect your merchandise from theft
This is why they’re called security tethers in the first place. They help keep your products safe from shoplifters. They’re typically used with high-value merchandise like smart phones, cameras, tablets and even laptops.
All you really have to do is attach one end of the cable, coil or whatever kind of material your chosen tether type uses to an alarm-equipped base and the other end to the product and you’re good to go. If anyone ever tries to remove either end, the alarm would go off, immediately alerting your staff and security team to the ongoing theft attempt.
Let customers experience your products
Instead of simply showcasing your merchandise in a locked display case, security tethers allow you to put them out in the open for customers to play with – which ultimately increases your chances of making a sale.
There’s a science behind it. According to sales experts, there are three basic types of customers: visual, auditory and tactile. Displaying your products using security tethers instead of display cases allows you to satisfy all three. The visual people could simply view them from a distance while the auditory and tactile ones can pick them up and interact with them.
Get more customers to come in
In most cases, when people see other people lining up for something, they end up wanting to check it out too. By letting people play with your products, you make them stay longer in your store. When people outside see it, there’s a big chance that they’ll come in as well. Soon, you’ll have generated a big enough crowd inside to create the illusion that you’re selling some super in-demand items that people are going crazy for, which ultimately brings even more people in – and we all know that in the retail game, more foot traffic equals more chances to make a sale.
Security tethers, indeed, offer so much more than just theft prevention. By allowing your customers to actually experience your products, they effectively provide you with more opportunities to make a sale and ultimately boost your stores revenue.
Five Basic Types of Retail Security Tags
Plastic tags
This is probably the most identifiable kind of security tag. They may come in different shapes and sizes but they’re all made with hard molded plastic. They go well with pretty much anything that’s big enough to accommodate them.
Some plastic tags contain ink that gets released if anyone ever tries to tamper with or remove them by force, staining and making products like clothing practically unusable to shoplifters.
Security strips and inserts
Made with thin strips of paper that don’t look that much different from regular inserts, they are one of the stealthiest security measures you can implement. They work great in a bookstore or library setting because both books and bookshelves are not really designed to handle bulky plastic tags.
The fact that these strips are so inconspicuous also allows them to keep the visual appeal of any product that they are inserted in pretty much intact.
Source tags
These look like the traditional cloth tags and labels that get sewn into clothing. The only difference is that they are fitted with some kind of barely noticeable security strip.
These tags, as the name implies, get attached right at the manufacturing facility so you no longer have to worry about doing any in-store tagging whenever new stocks are delivered to your store.
Hang tags
Needless to say, this category involves any kind of tag that hangs from a product. They’re typically used with clothing and contain information such as the brand name and cost of the item.
Stickers and labels
Stickers and labels are just that: anything that you stick onto your products. And just like security strips, they’re pretty inconspicuous as well so you could also use them on a book or any other similar item. One could easily mistake them for an ordinary price tag or sticker label.
Of course, even though these tags come in a variety of configurations, all of them are designed to still do the same thing: to prevent losses due to theft.
Three Things You Need To Know About Magnetic Security Tags
Don’t worry, though, because we’re here to help you get started. Below are the top three things you should know about magnetic security tags:
They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes
In fact, the security tag variant, i.e., the one made with hard molded plastic, is just one of the many kinds at your disposal. There are also more lightweight and less-intrusive alternatives like stickers, labels and hang tags, so no matter what kind of retail store you’re running, you’ll surely find a solution that would go perfectly with your merchandise.
Some come with special features
Ink tags, as the name suggests, uses ink to further boost the effectiveness of traditional magnetic security tags. They are designed in such a way that if ever anyone tries to tamper with or forcefully remove them, the ink inside would be released, staining the both the product and the shoplifter’s hands and clothes.
This option works particularly well with clothing or any other similar item that easily becomes virtually unusable when stained with ink.
You can have them attached right at the source
If you don’t have the time and/or manpower to install the security tags yourself, you can just have your supplier and manufacturer take care of it for you. Doing so provides the following benefits:
You can use them to collect data
With the right software, you can also use your tags and sensors to collect data like daily foot traffic, best-selling items, incidents of theft and even fraudulent returns. You can then use everything you’ve collected to come up with better marketing strategies, improve your inventory management and ultimately beef up your store’s security.
At the end of the day, not all tags are created equal – and knowing exactly what your merchandise needs will allow you to get the most out of this popular anti-theft solution.
Three Benefits of EAS Security Stickers
Now, when it comes to small theft-prevention solutions, there are very few things that can top EAS security stickers in terms of size-to-functionality ratio. Let’s take a look at some of the most useful things that they allow you to do:
Catch shoplifters off-guard
If a shoplifter doesn’t know what kind of security measures they are up against, then they won’t be able to prepare any counter-measures. CCTV cameras, physical locks, chains and even human guards are all too conspicuous. With a little planning, an experienced shoplifter would be able to devise a strategy to get past all of them undetected.
In contrast, an EAS security sticker pretty much looks like a regular tag or label, so, in most cases, a would-be shoplifter wouldn’t even know that they’re there until they try to take an unpaid product out of your store and the alarms start to sound.
Keep the look of your merchandise intact
Bulky theft-prevention devices like mechanical recoilers and even display cases can mess with the visual appeal of some products. Small security stickers are also your best bet in this case because they allow you to give your customers a virtually unobstructed view.
Provide customers a hassle-free shopping experience
There are customers who are happy to just look, but for those who prefer to touch and physically inspect an item that they are thinking of buying, a bulky anti-theft device could easily become a source of annoyance. An EAS security sticker is a great alternative in this case as well. It not only allows your customers to fully experience your products, it also keeps your products effectively protected from theft.
In the retail security game, size does matter. However, that doesn’t mean that you always have to go for the biggest, most complex solution. The key, in fact, lies in finding right tool for the job – which can sometimes be as small and simple as a sticker.
Four Reasons You Need More Than a Great Retail Security Team
The physical impossibility of watching everything at all times
Retail stores, especially those with a huge following, can get really busy, and unless you have a battalion of security personnel to cover every inch of your store, there’s just no way you’ll be able to keep track of everything that happens throughout the day. Needless to say, this provides an opening for shoplifters to strike – which brings us to the next point:
Crafty shoplifters
Seasoned shoplifters would use a wide variety of techniques, like misdirection, teamwork and even persuasion, to get to your products. Unfortunately, even the most experienced security personnel could still fall for these tricks, especially on a very busy day.
The need for evidence in case a theft actually happens
Whenever a theft does actually occur, it means that the culprit managed to get past your security team and staff undetected so it becomes virtually impossible to track them down. No one would know what they look like or what time the incident happened. In fact, no one would even be aware that a theft occurred until someone starts comparing the day’s sales to the number of stocks left. By the time they’re done, the thief would be long gone.
The need for non-intrusive security measures
Sure, you can ask your security team and staff to watch customers more closely, but do you really want to make everyone who comes into your store feel like they’re being suspected of something? Would you be willing to risk driving customers who are actually looking to shop in your store away just to prevent theft?
The solution
All you really need to beef up your store’s security without alienating your customers is a little technology. It doesn’t even matter whether you’re running a clothing store or a general merchandise shop, a good electronic surveillance system (EAS) and some CCTVs would go a long way in keeping would-be shoplifters at bay.
Products with EAS security tags or labels attached to them would automatically trigger an alarm whenever anyone tries to take them out of your store without paying for them first. CCTVs would provide you with video recordings, which you can use as evidence, in case someone manages to actually take an unpaid item out.
At the end of the day, the more varied your security measures are, the better equipped you’ll be at preventing retail theft.
Four Practical Applications of EAS Security Labels
Tiny items
Small merchandise like eyewear, accessories or even pens obviously cannot accommodate a huge RFID tag. In fact, using huge tags for products like these could actually be counter-productive because they would give anyone trying the merchandise out a hard time – which could ultimately lead to you losing the sale. A small security label or lightweight hang tag is your best bet in this case.
Lightweight packaging
While it’s possible to attach huge and heavy EAS tags onto products with lightweight packaging, like chips and other snack items, it would not be practical. Not only will the tags serve as weights that could deform the packaging, they would also take up a whole lot of extra shelf space that could otherwise be used to display more items.
Books
Whether you’re running a bookstore or a library, you also can’t go wrong with security labels. In either case, you’ll need to stack books on top of each other or display them upright on shelves – which would be very difficult to do if each book had a bulky tag attached to it.
Keep in mind, however, that if you are running a library, then you’d need an EAS label that you can deactivate when someone borrows a book and then reactivate as soon as the book is returned.
Clothing
Whenever a customer tries a piece of clothing in a store, their primary goal is to see how well it fits. Attaching a bulky tag that constantly pulls down on the fabric prevents this from happening, which ultimately also prevents you from making a sale. You can prevent this by simply using a security label or hang tag instead.
Knowing when to switch to EAS security labels and hang tags could help you improve your customers’ shopping experience, maximize shelf space, better showcase your products’ features and ultimately make the sale.
Three Keys to Effective Retail Security
Hiring the right people, training everyone else
Start by getting people who have experience in loss prevention in the retail industry. Retailers like yourself, in most cases, are not really experts when it comes to retail security, so you need someone who knows exactly what to keep an eye out for, how to respond to perceived threats and how to react when an incident does actually happen.
But what about your staff? Well, this is where the “training everyone else” part comes in. Everything you learn from your security team must be passed on to every member of your staff. Keep in mind that guards can only cover so much ground. You’ll need all the help you can get in keeping your store safe. From the management team all the way to the interns (if you have any), everyone should know at least the basics of retail security.
Making theft difficult
When it comes to theft prevention, simply making committing the act more challenging goes a long, long way. Most would-be shoplifters would just move on to an easier target instead of running the risk of getting caught. And for anyone else who’s still bold enough to try, there are still other security measures to worry about.
So, how exactly do you make theft more difficult? Well, for starters, get a good electronic article surveillance EAS system. By simply attaching electronic tags on all your products and then installing sensors on all entry and exit points, you automatically make it much more challenging for people to bring unpaid merchandise out.
Recording everything
Of course, no solution works 100% of the time. More seasoned shoplifters would probably figure out a way to beat your store’s security. But this is where a good CCTV system comes in. By making sure that you record everyone who comes in and goes out of your store – and what they do while inside – you significantly increase your chances of catching shoplifters even after the theft has already been committed.
At the end of the day, experienced and well-trained people, a deterrent and a good video recording system are all you really need to beef up your store’s security.
Five Things to Consider in Choosing an EAS Security Sensor
Compatibility
Let’s start with the most important thing: you need a sensor that works with the type of EAS system that you want to you put up. If you’re planning on using electro-magnetic tags, for instance, then you’ll need electro-magnetic sensors. If you want RF tags, then get RF sensors as well. Keep in mind that different tags get detected in different ways. Think of it as each tag type having its own unique language that only its corresponding sensor would understand.
Looks
Your store should be a reflection of your brand, so all the elements you put in it must work toward that goal. Fortunately, EAS security sensors come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so there’s a huge possibility that you’ll find something that fits in perfectly with your store’s overall look and feel.
Durability and reliability
You’re putting up an entire EAS system to strengthen your store’s security. The last thing you want is to have one component constantly breaking down and putting your entire inventory in jeopardy. So, don’t skimp on these things. After all, a good EAS system is definitely a worthwhile investment because every product you protect from thieves becomes a sale sooner or later.
Features
If you want to get more bang for your buck, then look for sensors that come with other useful features like motion detection so you can do foot traffic monitoring as well. Just put your sensors on every door and watch them do the counting for you. The data they provide could help you make operational changes that could ultimately lead to happier customers and more sales.
Cost
Of course, budget is also a consideration. You’ll need to find something that does not require you to shell out a fortune and put your company’s finances at risk. The good news is that there are a lot of service providers that offer affordable and flexible packages that you can choose from.
Choosing an EAS security sensor shouldn’t involve any guesswork. Make sure you know exactly what to look for before beginning your search so you can get the most value out of your investment. And contact different suppliers so you can compare different deals.
Three Ways Security Seals and Safers Improve Customer Experience in Stores
Let’s take a look at how these tools can help boost customer satisfaction:
They allow customers to inspect the merchandise
While there are customers who come in knowing exactly what they want, there are also those who are undecided and would prefer to look around first. The problem with this is that not all customers want to be followed or bothered while they go around your store looking for something to buy. Leaving them alone, however, exposes your store to the risk of having your products opened and damaged.
So what do you do? Should you forgo security for the sake of sales? Or should you risk losing a sale to prevent losses? Well, the best way to solve this problem is to strike a balance between the two – and a security seal or safer would allow you to do just that.
Unlike traditional display cases that only allow customers to look at a product, seals and safers allow them to actually make contact with it and take a closer look. And if they try to open its packaging, the seal or safer would trigger an alarm, immediately notifying you and your staff of the incident.
They minimize the need for staff assistance
Instead of assigning someone to constantly unlock and lock your display cases every time a customer asks to see a particular product, you can just use a security seal or safer and let the customer inspect it themselves. Doing so allows you to dedicate more manpower to handling more important customer concerns.
They protect your products
Of course, just like any other EAS tool, security seals and safers also help prevent losses. Unlike traditional EAS tags that are more focused on preventing theft, however, they’re designed to keep your products in pristine condition instead. It doesn’t even matter whether your packaging is made with glass, foil or plastic. There are various types of seals and safers that you can use depending on the product you’re selling.
Keep in mind that damaged goods don’t really sell for as much (if at all), so it is crucial that you keep your products from harm – unless you charge your customers for accidentally damaging items in your store, which, unfortunately, is a good way to drive them away.
At the end of the day, if your customers are happy, then you’re more likely to make a sale. So, make it a point to always provide them with a hassle-free shopping experience.
Get More Out of Your Retail Store Software with a Good EAS System
Inventory management
One of the keys to running a successful retail store is effectively managing your stocks, especially if you have a big inventory with a wide selection of products. This is why it is usually a good idea to have some form of inventory management software hooked up to a POS system in place so you can get real-time updates on your stock levels.
The problem, however, is that POS systems only keep track of actual sales. They are not designed to account for misplaced or stolen items. The good news is that by simply attaching an EAS label to each product in your inventory and then installing an EAS detector, you’ll know exactly how many items go out the door and how many items are left in the store at all times. The detector does all the work for you.
Automated ordering
You can even take things further if your inventory management software also has automated ordering functionality. All you really need to do is set a lower limit in terms of stock levels and then have the tool automatically place an order for you whenever it is reached. Just imagine how much less work – if at all – you and your staff would have to do once you get this system up and running. You would then have more time and energy to focus on creating more value for all your customers.
Data gathering and analytics
EAS labels (also known as tags) can also be used to keep track of sales based on how many of them are deactivated per day. In fact, you can even use them to take note of the times when most of your sales happen, which items are selling well and which ones need a little more push. All you really have to do is hook it up to a data analytics software so you can make sense of all the data it collects.
At the end of the day, EAS systems do so much more than beef up in-store security. Pair them with good retail store software and they’ll provide you with useful insights that you can use to better manage your store and ultimately boost sales.
Dear Valued Customer,
NRF PROTECT 2016 is the largest, most important retail loss prevention event in North America. The conference is especially for those who protect retail brands, assets, people and profits. NRF PROTECT features 2 ½ days of compelling educational sessions, networking opportunities and an innovative EXPO Hall. The exhibition will be holding in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center June 14 – 16, 2016.
TrustTag is the professional retail loss prevention solution provider since 2014. We are running 3 factories in China including hard tag factory and sew in label factory, providing our best manufacturer price, US warehouse and local service for all of our customers. Please visit our booth No.1700 to know more about us.
Click here to schedule an meeting with us. Thank you and talk to you soon!
Simon Shi
Three Reasons Security Tags Should be a Part of Any Theft Prevention Strategy
Let’s take a look at why they’re a worthwhile investment:
They act as a deterrent
By simply making it more difficult to steal your items, you effectively make it less enticing for people to do so. No thief ever wants to get caught, so if it seems that the odds of success in your store are low, then there’s a big chance that they’ll simply move on and look for an easier target.
Now, while more seasoned criminals may still take the risk and try to deactivate or remove your security tags, the fact that you’ve effectively lowered the total number of people who would be willing to try is still a win for your store. Besides, this is where all your other security measures come into play.
You’re not always looking
There’s just no way you or your staff can physically keep an eye on every inch of your store every second of every day. But by simply attaching a security tag to each piece of clothing or whatever type of product your store sells, you can monitor every single item in your inventory with ease. It doesn’t even matter whether you use a magnetic, RFID or any other type of security tag, the end result is still the same.
The benefits outweigh the cost
Losses due to theft, fraud or even misplacement can seriously hurt your bottom line. This is why investing in a good security system is a must for any retail store.
In the case of security tags and EAS systems, the tags themselves don’t really cost a lot of money, especially if you buy in bulk. And while you’ll have to shell out a bit more for the detectors, the amount you’ll save by cutting back on losses still more than makes up for it.
At the end of the day, every piece of inventory that you manage to keep from being stolen becomes merchandise that you can convert to a sale later, so every penny you put into on beefing up your store’s security is definitely money well spent.
Everything You Need To Know About EAS Security Systems
EAS stands for electronic article surveillance. It involves the attachment of tags that emit some sort of signal to products and then installing a system to monitor it. The goal is to improve your inventory management and prevent losses due to product misplacement, fraud or theft.
EAS systems come in four basic configurations: electro-magnetic, acousto-magnetic, radio frequency and microwave. Let’s take a look at each one below:
Electro-magnetic
Also called magneto-harmonic, electro-magnetic systems use tags made with some form of metallic glass. In most cases, these tags are permanent fixtures so they also come with a ferromagnetic strip that can be activated or deactivated using demagnetization and magnetization respectively.
Over the years, this system has been slowly replaced by non-permanent alternatives in retail, food and other similar establishments. It is still quite popular in libraries, however, because they constantly deactivate and reactivate tags whenever books are borrowed and returned.
Acousto-magnetic
Sometimes called magnetostrictive, acousto-magnetic systems, on the other hand, rely on sound waves to work. The tag used is practically the same as in electro-magnetic systems, but instead of using magnetic responses for detection, the detector emits tonal bursts that cause the tags to vibrate at a certain frequency. Also, unlike electro-magnetic tags, acousto-magnetic tags are activated using magnetization and deactivated by demagnetization.
Radio frequency
More commonly known as RFID, the third item on our list uses tags that have a specific resonance peak and detectors that look out for dips in the specified frequencies. Deactivation of these tags can be done using strong magnetic forces and detuners or by physically punching a hole through them.
Microwave
Finally, we have microwave systems. They work by coupling a diode with one electrostatic and one microwave antenna. The electrostatic antenna creates a low-frequency field, while the microwave antenna creates a microwave field. The tag then reads and remixes these fields to come up with its own unique signal that then gets read by a detector.
This system has also dwindled in popularity because not only does it use permanent tags, it’s also more costly than the other alternatives on this list.
At the end of the day, all EAS systems are designed to do the same thing: prevent losses. The only considerations are the total cost and intended application.
Boost Retail Security with RFID Tags
Keep track of inventory at all times
Theft is not the only cause of losses in the retail industry. Sometimes, it’s simply misplaced inventory. A decent RFID tracking system allows you and your staff to know exactly where each item is at all your stores.
However, if you’re looking for more end-to-end solutions, i.e., RFID tracking from the warehouse or manufacturing facility all the way to your physical stores, there are service providers that offer more comprehensive and sophisticated options as well.
Monitor inventory levels
A lost sale because of unavailable inventory still counts as a loss, so it’s crucial to have all items in stock at all times, especially your best-sellers. Manually keeping track of all your products, especially if you have a massive inventory, however, is not only time-consuming, but is also prone to human error. RFID tags solve this problem by providing you with automatic and real-time updates regarding your inventory levels, which can then be fed into a reader that’s connected to an automated inventory management or ordering system.
Minimize risk of supplier error
In some cases, suppliers make incorrect declarations as to the actual amount of inventory you are receiving from them. And the bigger the shipment, the harder to detect and more costly the error becomes. An RFID tracking system also addresses this by keeping track of each unique item and then having your inventory management system generate an automated report based on the data.
Prevent shoplifting
Of course, actual theft – either by outsiders or employees – is still one of the most common and direct causes of losses in the retail industry. It is a very real security threat, but it can also be easily solved using a good RFID tracking system. Simply attach an RFID tag to each product and install scanners on all entry and exit points and you’re all set.
The bottom line is that, a good inventory monitoring, identification and tracking system goes a long, long way in protecting yourself from losses due to the most common retail security threats.
Top 10 Must-have Anti-theft Devices for Retail Stores
It is one of the biggest issues retailers have to deal with on a daily basis. No matter the type of merchandise you sell, there are people who will try to steal from you if you give them the opportunity to do so – which is what not investing in good security measures does.
But how do you know what kind of anti-theft devices to get? Well, before we can answer that, we’ll have to start by going over the most common techniques shoplifters use so we know what we are up against:
Now, at first glance, it would appear as if most of these methods could be countered by simply hiring a good security team and training your staff to be as vigilant as possible at all times. In reality, however, the situation can get so much more complicated. For one, no matter how well prepared your staff is, there’s no way that they’ll be 100% immune to trickery or distractions, especially at the hands of seasoned shoplifters. In addition, it’s almost physically impossible to keep watch over everything every single second of every single day, especially if you have a huge store that’s always filled with rushing customers. And, if you’re selling clothes, then you also have to worry about dressing rooms, which, by design, are blind spots.
Long story short, your security team and sales staff could use all the help they can get when it comes to securing your store from shoplifters, and this is where anti-theft devices come in. Let’s take a look at 10 of the most popular ones at your disposal:
CCTV cameras
They not only act as a deterrent, they also allow you to keep video records of the day-to-day happenings inside your store. This means that if ever a theft does occur and you were unable to catch the culprit in the act, you’ll still have something to go back to, which you can use as evidence if the need arises.
This doesn’t mean that you and your staff can rest easy, however. It’s still a good idea to always remain vigilant so you can further minimize the risk of theft inside your store.
A Good EAS system
EAS stands for electronic article surveillance. It uses a variety of tools like security tags, stickers, labels and cables that are paired with sensors that sound an alarm whenever a stolen item is taken out of the store or a tag is tampered with or forcefully removed.
There are four basic types of EAS systems: electro-magnetic, acousto-magnetic, RFID and microwave. Out of the four, RFID is one of the most commonly used types in retail stores. They work by having each RFID tag possess a specific resonance peak, which RFID sensors monitor constantly for any anomalies.
There are also ink-loaded tags that go perfectly with clothing and other similar products. If a shoplifter ever tries to break them open, the ink inside would leak all over the item making them virtually unusable.
Display cases
Of course, not all security devices are electronic. A simple display case, for example, can go a long, long way in terms of theft-prevention. The only downside of this solution is that it doesn’t work with all types of merchandise, especially those that a customer needs to hold and physically explore to appreciate, like mobile phones and tablets. Nonetheless, it still remains as a good security measure, especially if you’re operating on a relatively tight budget.
Physical locks
Obviously, a display case can only secure your merchandise if you can lock it up. But this is not the only place you’ll find locks in a retail store. They’re also used in security cables, shelves, dressing rooms and even cash registers.
Locks may seem like a pretty basic solution, but they sure get the job done.
Buzzers
Have you ever been to a store that constantly played a doorbell type sound whenever a customer entered and left? That’s actually another kind of anti-theft device that you can use in yours. You see, the sound does not only call your staff’s and security team’s attention to anyone who passes through your store’s doors, it also lets would-be shoplifters know that you are paying attention to them – and if you were a thief, drawing attention to yourself is that last thing you want to do.
A good inventory management software
If you’re not clear as to what items are in your store (and stockroom), then how will you know when something goes missing? This is where inventory management software comes in. It allows you to easily account for each and every product that you have so you can check for any discrepancies at any time.
Anti-shoplifting signage
Sometimes, all it takes is a little warning to keep thieves at bay. A simple “shoplifters will be prosecuted” sign works wonders in this case. By letting would-be shoplifters know of the potential legal consequences of their plan, you effectively force them to think twice about actually going through with it.
Of course, more seasoned thieves would simply ignore these things, but that doesn’t change the fact that this simple solution does help reduce the number of thefts in your store.
Mirrors
Speaking of simple solutions, there are very few that can beat mirrors in terms of simplicity-to-effectiveness ratio. Again, shoplifters don’t want attention, and mirrors, just like CCTV cameras, make them feel like they’re constantly being watched.
Another benefit of installing mirrors in your store is that they give your staff and security team improved visibility, especially of areas that would otherwise be hidden from view. This way, your team won’t have to work as hard to monitor the store for any suspicious activity.
Package counters
Again, one common trick shoplifters use is to bring a big bag into a store and then simply throw unpaid merchandise into it. You can easily prevent it by requiring all your customers to surrender such items before going in to shop.
The best thing about this solution is that you can angle it in such a way that it appears as if you’re promoting shopper convenience – which is actually one of its benefits – instead of protecting your wares from thieves.
On a related note, instruct your cashiers to also check items with packaging that appears to have been tampered with, because as we’ve seen in the beginning of this article, instead of using a bag, some shoplifters hide expensive stolen merchandise inside the packaging of cheaper items. Long story short, taking their bags away does not necessarily mean that they won’t be able to steal from you.
Properly positioned payment counters
Lastly, by positioning your payment counters close to your store’s entry and exit points, you effectively put your staff in a better position to monitor everyone that comes in and goes out. It also gives shoplifters a more difficult time bringing unpaid items out because they are forced to pass by your staff to get to the exit.
So, should you use all of them?
If you have the money and all of these solutions work with the type of merchandise that you sell, then it would be a good idea to invest in as many of them as you can. Keep in mind that the more security measures you put in place, the harder it becomes for would-be shoplifters to commit a theft. Unfortunately, in most cases, retailers are forced to work within limited budgets, and, in reality, not all of these security devices work with all types of products.
How, then, do you know which one to choose? Well, it all boils down to striking a balance between what your store needs and how much money you have to spend. Of course, unless you’re a master of retail security, you would need to hire an expert to study your store and come up with a recommendation based on their findings. It’s the best way to ensure that you’ll get maximum value for your investment.
At the end of the day, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to keeping your store safe from shoplifters, and practically any solution you choose would cost you some money. But considering just how much more money you stand to lose by leaving your store vulnerable to thieves, having good security measures in place is definitely a worthwhile investment.
