Beverage Dynamics

Beverage Dynamics March-April 2014

Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.

Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/282869

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 61 of 75

Playing Defense 62 Beverage Dynamics • March/April 2014 www.beveragedynamics.com ing shoplifting. But another balance must be struck. How many employees can a retailer afford to have on the fl oor? Some hire security guards for particularly busy times in order to have another set of undistracted eyes in the store. But hiring a guard, such as an off-duty policeman, can be expensive. Camera systems have their place in a store's security system, but they don't always deter shoplifters, according to Bregar. "That's because they know you are not watching those images right then," he said. However, technology may be developing to help with that. Some camera systems can be set to send alerts or alarms, even an automatic message over the store's public- announcement system or a text sent to a manager's cell phone, when the camera records an event of a certain type. "If you have a product of high value, a champagne for instance, you can set a box around that area and, if the camera records a person lin- gering there for longer than a certain time, it will send the alert," explained 3xLogic's Davis. Davis also pointed out that video images are important when it comes to determining who committed a crime after the fact and in building a case against them in court. Retailers can also post pictures of shoplifters from their security systems for the employees to see, including posting them at all the locations in a chain. Benefi t-denial devices, such as a locked cap on the bottle that must be taken off at the check-out, can also deter theft. These devices can also be used as part of an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system. Those are the systems that set off an alarm if a product is taken past a sensor at the door of a store when its tag or bottle cap has not been deactivated. A store sell- ing rare wines in London, called Hedonism Wines, for instance, recently began using such caps, customized with the store's logo and colors, to protect very expensive wines. The caps were pro- duced for the store by Alpha High Theft Solutions, a division of Checkpoint Systems (alphaworld.com). The advantage of these systems is the product is there, to see, to touch, to examine, but is also protected from theft. NRF's Mellor has always enjoyed his work in loss prevention. "It's always changing, there are always new challenges," he said. "You are always trying to stay one step ahead of the thieves." BD "Shoplifters try to blend in with the other customers by how they dress and act. It could be the rich kid who has money in his pocket; it could be the bored housewife. There really is no profi le. It's not just the scruffy-looking guy." – Bill Bregar, president, Loss Prevention Systems Electronic article surveillance (EAS) system tags, from Checkpoint Systems, which works in tandem with the company's EAS system located at the store's exit. Has Gone Mobile! www.beveragedynamics.com/bdmobile Now you can access all the latest news and events anywhere, anytime.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Beverage Dynamics - Beverage Dynamics March-April 2014