Buying, storing, and displaying all are the major functions of the retail store. A retail store holds all the necessities of life from safety pins to grocery items. The retail industry confronts several challenges, and one of the most important concerns is the prevention of theft and loss. Retail security companies are usually hired to stop shoplifting, employee theft, and planned retail crime, which can prevent the retail store owner from substantial financial losses. To fight these concerns, many retailers go for security tags as an effective resolution for safety and security in retail stores. In this blog, we will explore how security tags contribute to loss prevention in retail stores and understand them as a crucial part of any inclusive security strategy.
What are Security Tags?
Retail store security tags, also known as EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) tags or anti-theft tags, are devices deliberate to protect retail stores from theft. Security tags consist of a small electronic chip or sensor covered in a plastic or hard tag, which is connected to the product using adhesive or a particular locking mechanism. These can be easily connected and removed at the point of sale by official personnel.
Effectiveness of Retail Store Security Tags
About 80% of Canadian retailers use security tags and labels as the primary strategies in the constant war against retail store theft. These universally applicable security tags are used by large and small retailers equally, across all verticals with the items they defend ranging from apparel to electronics, and pharmaceuticals to groceries.
In a nutshell, security tags are part of Electronic Article Surveillance. The system perceives an antenna installed at the entrance to a store, which remains in continual communication with security tags, each casing tiny transmitters. When active security comes into proximity of the existing gate and antenna, an alarm triggers, notifying staff of the possibility of theft.
- Product-based security: Unlike CCTV or a retail security guard in Edmonton who watches over an entire store, security tags are a product-based security measure which means they protect individual items against theft.
- Accuracy: When appropriately implemented, electronic article surveillance is highly effective and accurate. Data indicate security tags and labels can reduce theft by around 80%. Significantly, this protection still enables the customer experience, permitting consumers to touch being locked behind glass or wedged by cumbersome theft prevention gears.
- Eliminating human error: For many retailers, one of the important benefits of security tags is that the arrangement is not prone to human error. This supports loss prevention officers assigned with protecting a store.
- Constant protection: When the antenna is transferred on and tags are fitted, the detection system is at work. That means a retail store is safeguarded during all opening hours.
- Easy to implement: It’s easy to implement and freely scalable. Installation of EAS includes the fitting of the antenna at the entrance and as technology advances there are more and more techniques for installing these systems. This can be as simple as concealed in door frames. After installation, the additional stock is then protected by additional compatible security tags.
How Security Tags Work
Retail security firms utilize security tags with different technologies to deter theft and activate an alarm when someone tries to remove a tagged item from the retail store without proper removal. Security tags help in checkpoint retail security to cut down on shoplifting losses. Attaching a tag to the store’s merchandise normally is more efficient than hiring an in-store retail Security Guard Company Edmonton to watch your customers as they shop. The prospect of a security tag on an item also can make an impending thief think twice before taking it.
Types of Security Tags Used in Retail Store Security
There are a lot of common types of security tags helping to manage safety and security in retail stores.
- Radio Frequency (RF) Tags
RF tags activate by emitting radio waves at a definite frequency. They comprise of a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is positioned at the store entrance, while the receiver is implanted within the security tag. Retail security firms help in the installation and transmitter and when a tagged article passes through the transmitter’s detection zone without proper removal, it activates an alarm, alerting the retail security guard to potential theft.
- Ink Tags
Ink tags are geared toward stopping shoplifting instead of activating an alarm for safety and security in retail stores. These particularly are used on clothing items that would be spotted with ink stains. When the tag is detached without the assistance of the tool the retail store staff uses, an ampoule inside bursts and leaks ink onto the item. The ink ampoules can be joined with standard RFID chips to offer an added level of protection for retail security companies. However, smaller retail stores often use ink tags solely to save on the cost of fitting a detection system.
- Specialty Tags
Retail security firms in Edmonton help with assistance in
knowing certain types of security tags. In retail stores, there are certain types of specialty stock that require their own tailored security tag system. For instance, liquor bottle security tags connected to the cap and activate an alarm when the cap is twisted for opening. Eyeglass security tags confer to the frame, typically at the shrines or near the end of the earpieces. The thin design of the security tags allows them to stick onto the glasses devoid of interfering with a customer’s ability to try them on. Moreover, shackle tags can be used to secure the handles of purses and briefcases.
- Acousto-Magnetic (AM) Tags
AM tags work on the principle of magnetostriction. They contain a thin strip of a magnetostrictive solid that resonates at a definite frequency when open to a magnetic field. The retail store entrance is furnished with an AM detection system that emits a magnetic field. The retail security guard instantly recognizes if a tagged item is carried through the detection zone without removal, the material in the tag resonates and activates an alarm.
- Labels and Lanyards
Another economic theft deterrent that comes with or without a barcode is security labels. Labels also known as soft tags, cannot be recycled like other types of sensors and must be taken across a deactivation device to inactivate their alarm-triggering capability. Retailers in Edmonton adhere to packages of stock such as socks, hosiery, and intimate apparel. For clothes made of delicate fabric that might be impaired by the pin from a regular sensor tag, retail store security employs lanyard tags.
- Soft Sewn-Ins
Retail Security Companies in Edmonton use tagging merchandise in the store which costs money and time, many retailers have their contractors sew sensors unswervingly in the seam of a garment. Recognized as source tags, these sensors can be neutralized by copping them across a demagnetizing device at the checkpoint counter. Clients should cut them out once home. Moreover, sewn-in sensors can restart after laundering and activate store alarms again. Another type of soft sensor tag works with radio frequency identification technology to track inventory from contractor to customer purchase. Retail store companies in Edmonton can identify stages in the distribution chain where the stock goes missing with this technology and can reject returns of stolen items when the tag scan shows the stock had not been purchased.
- Hard Tags
Hard security devices can be used again and applied to a variety of apparel. These two-piece tags have a pin that the retailer insets through the fabric seam and then ascribes to the garment with a plastic back, identified as a gator. Hard tags come in different shapes and sizes for use on a range of apparel including swimwear, lingerie, gloves, suits, pants, and outerwear. Retail managers eliminate them with a hard-tag detacher.
- Detection Systems
The best security for retail stores requires the installation of a detection system as without it the security tags are a great waste. Detectors usually are placed on both sides of the store’s exits. When the device passes the detectors, the alarm activates. Most security tags also can be programmed to activate an alarm if someone attempts to confiscate them without the proper detachment. The detection system particularly is connected to software that manages the sensitivity, volume, and duration of the alarm. Checkpoint retail security is the two most commonly used retail security programs.
Benefits of Retail Store Security Tags in Loss Prevention
Loss prevention is an important concern for retail businesses, as theft and disappearance can considerably impact their profitability. As an active tool, the security tag has proven its worth in safety and security in retail stores. These small, discreet devices play a vital role in preventing theft and guaranteeing the overall security of retail stores. Here is the list of benefits of hiring retail security companies for the attachment of security tags and installation of detection systems.
- Security tags act as a noticeable deterrent to potential shoplifters. When shoplifters see these security tags attached to stock, it sends a strong message that the items are secure and any attempt to remove them without authorization will activate an alarm. This visual deterrent only can dampen theft and considerably reduce incidents of shoplifting.
- Security tags are designed to activate an alarm when they go through the store’s exit without being neutralized. These alarms generate a sudden, loud noise that alerts retail security guards and other shoppers to prospective theft. The sound not only draws attention to the circumstances but also frightens the shoplifter, amassing the chances of them canceling the stolen item and making the store avoid detection.
- The presence of security tags inspires employees to persist in vigilant and proactive behavior in preventing theft. When store employees know that stock is protected by security tags, they possibly keep a watchful eye on customers, recognize suspicious behavior, and interfere when necessary. This amplified awareness can act as an influential deterrent and help employees avert theft before it occurs.
- Security tags can be incorporated with surveillance systems, such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, to offer a comprehensive security solution. When an alarm is activated by a security tag, it can spontaneously activate cameras in the locality, capturing footage of the incident. This arrangement of security measures offers invaluable evidence for investigations and prosecution which can act as a solid deterrent for potential thieves.
- Retail store security tags play a significant role in keeping accurate inventory records and accompanying regular audits. By fastening security tags to each item, retail businesses can simply track their stock and compare it to sales records. This permits them to recognize any discrepancies between items sold and items in stock, expose instances of internal theft, and apply measures to improve inventory management.
- Security tags not only guard stock but also contribute to creating safety and security in retail stores’ shopping environments for customers. When customers see security measures in place, such as noticeable security tags, they are more likely to feel self-assured about the store’s promise of their safety. This can improve customer trust, and loyalty, and eventually drive business growth.
Central Protection Services is the best security company in Edmonton, and we believe to perform better in the advantage between people and technology for their specific security needs. Importantly, we are developing advanced means to deal with more futuristic retail security challenges. Central Protection Services is a Canadian-based security company offering retail store Security Services Edmonton for the new world’s challenges. Our offices are in Edmonton, Calgary, Alberta Wide, Airdire, and allied regions. We offer technological systems and armed and unarmed security guards for retail needs. Get the quote for technologically advanced retail store security services.