Posts Tagged ‘Security’

Friday Feature Product: Portable Posts and Barriers

Friday, October 16th, 2009

An efficient way to manage the high volume of customers you are expecting this holiday season is investing in some portable posts and barriers for easy crowd control. Avoid massive mobs of people blocking key walkways in your store and keep lines to the registers in designated areas. Not only will these items maintain order in your store, they also help protect against theft. Posts and barriers can deter people with un-purchased merchandise from going out of your store.

There are several options in this category to match any store’s needs and budget. We would recommend measuring how long you need your posts to stretch within your store. Also consider if you will need to use these posts for outdoor use, because plastic is a better material for outdoor use than metal chrome.

Available in black and white, Portable Plastic Posts and Plastic Chains are an economical option for interior or exterior access control. For maximum stability, sand should be kept in the base. The Plastic Chains are sold by the foot. A seven foot length chain is recommended to use with the Plastic Posts.

The Portable Post with Tape is a simple, no-nonsense solution for temporary or permanent control. The belt is self-retracting and connects slowly and safely when detached. A three year warranty is included with purchase. End a line with either a Beltway Portable Receiver post or a Retractable Tape Wall Receptacle.

A Chrome Metal Portable Post has a classic, sleek design for any interior application. This light weight post goes with any style hook or snap. The Velour Rope with Chrome Snap Ends matches perfectly with the Chrome Metal Portable Post. This six foot rope will add an elegant look to any décor.

Portable posts and barriers are your solution to keeping order, hosting an event or deterring people from certain areas. Try them out in your store and let us know how it goes!

Tuesday Tip: Employee Theft Prevention

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

Last week’s tips will help keep customers from stealing, but a trickier situation is how to cut back on employee theft without openly distrusting your employees. Discouraging employee theft takes some finesse, but can be accomplished by employing a couple of techniques.

  • Prior to hiring any employee, check their references completely. And make sure to ask for legitimate professional references. If you see any red flags, follow your gut and move on to the next potential employee.
  • Institute regular cash register policies. Count down drawers at the end of every employee’s shift, don’t share cash drawers and do standard mid shift audits. If you make these techniques policies, they will keep your employees honest because they know they can be caught. At the same time, make sure you keep the rules standard for all employees so it doesn’t seem like you are playing favorites.
  • Rotate schedules. Work with every employee at different times. And make sure employees work with all different employees. Many times, employees steal in teams, so by breaking up routine, it is harder to establish these bad habits.
  • Have employees step up as part of customer theft prevention. If your employees know that you are serious about preventing customer theft, they will know that you are serious about any type of theft.
  • Compare sales receipts to inventory often to discover any shortages.
  • Have employees use the front door. Items are more likely to sneak out the back. By having employees exit through the front exit, they will pass sensors and your watchful eyes.

By employing consistent policies and keeping an eye on your employees, you can help keep your merchandise and money from leaving in your employees’ bags.

How do you prevent employee theft in your store?

Friday Featured Product: Security Systems

Friday, July 17th, 2009

The presence of security devices in a retail store is proven to help prevent thefts. Security devices such as mirrors and anti theft door security systems will help keep your merchandise from walking out the front door.

You want things to fly off your shelves. But those items need to stop at the register instead of going straight into a purse or backpack. By installing certain items that increase the presence of security devices, you can keeps theft at bay. And you don’t need to break the bank.

Security mirrors placed in corners and around high priced items will allow you to see these areas from the counter area and will make customers aware that you are watching them. Security mirrors are fairly inexpensive and have no carrying costs, so we would recommend that almost every store use these.

Another way to protect your merchandise is through anti theft door systems. These sensors detect when items are removed from a store when the accompanying tag on an item has not been removed or deactivated by a sales associate.

Door sensors are extremely effective, but for some stores they may be cost prohibitive. There are alternatives such as simulated door sensors and tags. These faux sensors appear to function exactly like the real version, so they have the same theft deterrent value as the real thing. However, if someone is courageous and still walks out the front door, it will not activate the alarm.

Small items such as simulated door sensors and corner mirrors will help keep theft in check and keep you from losing merchandise.

What security products does your store use?

Flea Market Question

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

I run a store in a flea market facility. It’s set up similar to a standard store but I have very limited space. What are your suggestions for smaller independent items which are easily stolen insofar as placement when you have pegboard walls, one display case (in the counter) and a display area on the counter? -

Dan G, North Carolina

Security Equipment Question

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

“I have a small grocery store with a large selection of candy down one aisle and tend to get a lot of young kids stealing a few candy bars at least twice a week.  My budget for security equipment is very limited. What are the basics you suggest I get to try and reduce theft?” – Mitch K from Missouri