Clothing Security

Did it ever cross your mind while you are in the dressing room of a large department store, “I wonder what types of security tags on clothes  this store uses?”

Well purely for fun and trivia, we should talk about security tags.  OK, first the most unusual security device I have ever seen is a security tag for a liquor bottle!  Yes, I said a liquor bottle.  It has never occurred to me to steal a liquor bottle from a store so I guess that is why I never thought about theft prevention.  Take a look at the picture below.

Liquor bottle security device.  It fits right over the top of the bottle so even if you steal it, you gotta break the bottle to drink it!!

Ok, so let’s get back to the discussion of security tags on clothes.  What types are there?  Well, after investigation it seems there are LOTS!  Let’s start with delicate clothes.  If you have a pretty piece of lingerie or a silk blouse, you need a “delicate” type of security device.  The mini security tags work well for those types of garments.  See Below.

Here are two different types of “mini” security tags.  Each of these is quite a bit smaller it seems than your traditional security tag.  Most retailers appear to sell these in lots of 1000.

 
What types of security tags on clothes do you use if you have belts or shoes, etc?  One type of anti-theft device used for those types of garments is a security tag with a lanyard for easily attaching to a belt or accessory.

As you can see to the left, these types of tags attach and remove differently from traditional tags that attach with a pin through the garment.

And many retailers’ favorite type of security device is the infamous ink tag.  Ink tags have been around for a long time and the purpose is to guarantee that if someone does abscond with a garment, when they try to remove the tag it will spew ink all over the article.  Potential shoplifters are even warned that they are going to get “ink spew” but often it still does not deter them from attempting the theft.  See the example below:

 The picture depicts a typical ink tag. 

For more information about security tags on clothes, please contact us or call 1.866.914.2567.

Clothing security tags are a popular line of defense for retailers in the battle against shoplifters and there are many options available.  Not all clothing security tags are created equal though. 

Checkpoint Systems is the world’s leading manufacturer of EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) systems, which use radio frequency technology to detect security tags and labels on merchandise via sensors installed at doorways.  As with any industry the leader is always followed and there are many  clothing security tags and label copies manufactured overseas.

But buyers beware.  These slightly less expensive tags and labels do have negatives that need to be understood.  The most popular Checkpoint tags are the mini hard tags and the barcode labels:

The issues with the cheaper copies are something the average retailer would not really notice at first unless thyey did some extensive testing.  For example, 25% of the cheaper copies can be dead out of the box / will not set off the alarm.  The reason being there is no quality control on the imported cheapies…QC is an expensive process which affects the cost.  Checkpoint goes so far with their quality control that they actually test every label before it leaves the plant.  Any dead tags are marked with a red dot so that the customer knows to skip that label.  (All rolls of labels are guaranteed to have a minimum of 2,000 good labels). 

The copycat mini hard tags are easy to spot.  First all Genuine Checkpoint products have their logo embossed on them.  Also, the fit and finish is very noticeably different.  The copies have a manufacturing seam that you can stick a small screwdriver or knife into and break open in seconds.  The Checkpoint seams are so tight they look like a molded one piece unit.

Just like anything else, you get what you pay for and  clothing security tags are no different.  For more information go to: clothing security tags or visit Loss Prevention Systems for continental US systems installations.

There are all kinds of security tags on clothes that prevent shoplifters from helping themselves.  Some tags beep, some that spew ink on the garment and some tags that are just plain inconvenient to remove.  And yes, I do realize this is irritating when you make a purchase, get home, put on the garment and wham you have a big pretty ink security tag on your new purchase that the store forgot to remove.

But consider this everyone, without those security tags on clothes to try and prevent people from stealing, it would increase every consumer’s cost of purchasing any type of retail item.  So yes, tags can be frustrating but very necessary.

Imagine my amazement when I goggled “security tags on clothes” this week and found at least 100 websites, instruction videos, photographs and blogs on “how to remove security tags on clothes.”  My goodness consumers, these things are here to help you.  We should not be teaching criminals how to go into a dressing room and remove the stupid things so they can steal stuff!

One website, which will remain nameless of course, even outlined what tools to purchase and took step by step instructional video on how to take security tags on clothes OFF the clothes!!

Here is my thought.  If you purchase something, look at the garment before you leave the store.  Don’t get all mad because the security tag is still attached when you get home.  You were there when you purchased it.  You were there when they DIDN’T remove the security tag.  So take just a smidge of responsibility for the mistake, and just by chance, if the retail outlet you frequent does leave the security device on the clothes, GO BACK TO THE STORE AND GET IT REMOVED. 

For information on where and how to use security tags on clothes for your store our retail outlet, contact us or call  1.866.914.2567.

Really cool clothing security tags 

Imagine this, a shoplifter in your clothing area wants to steal a dress. They conceal the item and leave your store. They are not suspected or caught. Will they be back? Oh yeah!

Now imagine that when they get home (somewhere under a rock) that they pull out their prize and discover a Checkpoint Chekink tag attached. OK now what?

 They will have to try to remove the clothing security tags forcefully. When they do, long before the tag is broken off the two vials of pressurized ink/dye rupture and spread on the dress. Because they are pressurized the ink does not just seep out.

But wait; let’s put the entire dress and Chekink tag in the freezer. Once we freeze the tag we try to then force it off. Sorry, we thought of that. The ink/dye in the glass vials are made with an anti-freeze solution. Oops, still pressurized and still liquid.

But what about accidents by store personnel? Wont we ruin merchandise sometimes? The amount of force to break the vials is pretty high and normal use does not pose a problem. Hit them with a hammer and we may have a problem. These are clothing security tags with a little something extra. Oh and by the way they work by themselves or with any checkpoint security system hard tag!

For more information: Contact us or call 1.866.914.2567

If you are using normal clothing security tags and still experiencing loss you need to evaluate the problem and take further action Follow the steps below:

1 Is the loss on all types of merchandise you sell or just specific types of items. In other words certain lines such as Polo or leather jackets are being targeted. You have to know this first. Keep a log. Have your employees note where and when they find evidence of this.

2 You need to consider how and where you apply your clothing security tags . Are they on a seam or other location that is robust enough to make tag removal difficult? Are your employees applying tags to every one of the items that you have decided must be tagged? Many times tagging does not happen and the product gets put out anyway.

3 If it is specific line of items that have problems you may need to add a new tag to your arsenal of tags. There are tags that take your security to another level. This tag is not used in place of your standard hard tags but in addition to it. This new tag will still cause an alarm on your Checkpoint system. However, the tag itself can have its own built in sounder that is VERY loud. The sounder will go off if the tag goes through the Checkpoint antennas. There is little doubt at that point where the tag is.

But, better yet while in the store if the shoplifter attempts to damage or remove the tag the built in tag sounder goes off.

4 When the Checkpoint Anti-shoplifting system alarms, are your employees simply waving the customer on? Every time you do this you train your customers, shoplifters and anyone else that observes this that you can shoplift to your hearts content.

If you take clothing security tags seriously then you will reduce shoplifting.

Learn more:  clothing security tags or call 1.866.914.2567

or visit Loss Prevention Systems, Inc.

Checkpoint is releasing new  clothing security tags . They are called the “3G Hard Tag With Super Lock”. These tags are bi-color white and gray. The 3G is similar in size to the mini-hard tag.

The 3G will solve several problems in the mini-hard tag area. Cheap imports knockoffs have been made to look identical to the Checkpoint tag, less the Checkpoint logo. These knockoffs generally have rough edges that snag clothing.  They also have very poor locking clutches that do not function smoothly.

3G clothing security tags will require a super detacher, which means that shoplifters will not be able to remove them. Placement of the 3G will be the same as any other hard tag. Place them on a seam, top rear of a shirt below the collar, eyelet of a shoe, etc.  Use the same pins you already have. The 3G also has a hole that will accept a flex string. Use this to loop the flex string through larger items.

Another clothing security tag tip is to drop a label such as a 410 in a pocket in addition to the hard tag. Double your security for a few more pennies.

For mor information: clothing security tags or call 1.866.914.2567

Statistics show that placing security tags on clothes like a Checkpoint System is the most effective security device in deterring juvenile shoplifters. These security tags are hard to remove by anyone without a detacher unit. Kids do not have access to these detachers. Forcibly removing the tag will damage the clothing item.

Add an ink tag to this and if they attempt to remove a security tags on clothes that has an ink tag with it and they will be rewarded with a mess that becomes permanent. The pressurized dye in an ink tag will rapidly spread ink on the stolen item and will generally get on the kids hands. The dye is multi colored. Don’t worry, you have to use quite a bit of force to rupture the pressurized glass vials that are filled with ink. Normal and even rough handling by a customer or employee will not cause an issue. 

Checkpoint even has a small plastic tag that can be applied to the ink tag. It displays a warning. Clothing security tags, ink tags and the warning tag are all reusable over and over.

Kids generally want to steal an item quickly and then use it right away. If they see security tags on clothes they will generally move on to another store that is unprotected. Clothing security is simple and cost effective.

Contact us at clothing security or call 1.866.914.2567

Retailers are facing an alarming rise in organized retail crime which is reason enough to install a clothing security system.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) recently reported in their annual Organized Retail Crime (ORC) survey that 85% of retailers said their company has been a victim of organized retail crime within the 12 months. The fourth annual survey also uncovered that 66% of retailers have noticed an increase in organized retail theft activity in the past 12 months.

These organized retail crime rings sell the stolen merchandise at flea markets or online. According to the NRF survey 68% of retailers in the study identified or recovered stolen merchandise and/or gift cards from a fence location. And 63% also say they’ve identified or recovered stolen merchandise from an e-fencing operation.

114 retailers representing all sectors of the industry including drug, supermarket, general merchandise, home improvement, apparel, department and specialty stores participated in the survey.

The most commonly used clothing security among large retailers is an EAS or electronic article surveillance system.  Checkpoint Security Systems has 57% of the market in this area utilizing the latest RF or radio frequency technology.  The system involves antennas installed in entry/ exit points that pick up protected merchandise which is tagged with Checkpoint tags or checkpoint labels.

To learn more go to clothing security  or visit Checkpoint Security Systems

One of the best inventions to protect retail merchandise is the clothing alarm tag. These tags come in many forms but the basic concept is that a hard plastic tag is placed on a piece of clothing. The tag can only be removed by store personal at checkout.

Clothing alarm tags are normally used with an Electronic Article Surveillance System (EAS). If a shoplifter attempts to take the item out of the store it trips the alarm on the EAS system alerting store personnel. 

There are also clothing alarm tags that contain vials of permanent ink or dye. This type of tag is called product denial. If the shoplifter attempts to remove the tag forcefully the pressurized vials break and spread ink on the item ruining it. These tags can be used with an EAS system.

Other clothing alarm tags have built in alarm sounders. They have an aircraft cable that can be looped through leather jackets or other expensive coats. If the shoplifter attempts to cut the cable or force the tag open the internal siren goes off. These tags can also be used with an EAS system.

For more information contact us or call 1.866.914.2567

The use of security tags on clothes will boost net profit margins by as much as 10%.  It is simple math.  The less product that is lost to theft, the less the cost of those losses effect bottom line profits.  This may be the most efficient way for retailers to make more money without having to sell more product.

In today’s challenging economy, raising prices to make up for lost profits just doesn’t make sense.  The demand is lower and prices are falling due to large retailers buying power driving the market.

3 out of 6 of the top retail theft targets according to the National Retail Security Survey are clothing segments: women’s, men’s and children’s. So as a clothing retailer,keeping what you have on the racks and shelves through the use of  security tags on clothes will reduce your losses AND increase your profits. 

Security tags on clothes are an instant visual deterrent to would be shoplifters and can only be removed with a specific device at the cash register.  Checkpoint Security Systems offers clothing tags in a variety of shapes and sizes both in “hard tag” or “soft tag” varieties.

Checkpoint hard tags are a plastic type of material held on to the clothing with  a pin or a steel string.  Checkpoint soft tags are stickers, called labels with a very aggressive adhesive.  Theses checkpoint labels are applied to the product’s packaging, hidden in the product somewhere or even sewn in place totally out of sight.

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