For Once It's Bad News For Shoplifters

For Once It's Bad News For Shoplifters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

When a couple, whom we'll call Sue and Clint took over their north island supermarket almost two years ago, they never dreamed they would be confronted with such a horrific level of shoplifting in the store. There was constant shoplifting in the meat, health and beauty and confectionary departments. The suspected loss each week to shoplifting was as high as $2000.

Sue and Clint noted that there were swarms of kids who would roam around the supermarket after school; as well as groups of career shoplifters who would target specific items to meet "orders". The presence of these groups was unsettling for staff as they tried obsessively to monitor them, but still the shoplifting was rife.

In conjunction with ADT Security, the owners decided to implement a new Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) system which has been proven to dramatically reduce shoplifting. The EAS tags will trigger an alarm unless deactivated by a store employee. This is a very good solution for a variety of retailers who have small, high-value products that are easily stolen.

The system was installed in early October this year and already there has been a dramatic decrease in shoplifting. The owners put this down to the Sensormatic EAS system-they can't emphasise enough the dramatic impact this system has had on its store.

"It has significantly decreased the product loss. Our butcher is now cutting almost a third less meat a day than previously and there was an immediate lift in the butchery gross profit as well as an increase on gross profit for the total store. Not only that, but there has been a noticeable drop in the number of youth and undesirables hanging around the store. Bad news (for the shoplifters) travels fast!"

Retail Product Manager ADT/Armourguard Jay Corbett says, "The Sensormatic EAS system represents a significant design breakthrough. As with other systems, users can expect virtually no false alarms and the system has detection capability through most liquids, metalized packaging foils and shopping carts and of course human clothing. The label's superb detection performance prevents potential shoplifters from shielding it with their bodies or other items."

"The big advantage is that tags can be easily used so that no one knows they are there."

The supermarket operators believe this Sensormatic system is part of something big for retail - a new "saviour" for supermarket owners who have a daily battle with shoplifters.

ABOUT ADT

With over a century's worth of experience and providing electronic security solutions to over 7 million residential, commercial and retail customers worldwide, ADT is the world's largest security company. ADT's website address is www.adtsecurity.co.nz. ADT - Always There.

ABOUT TYCO SERVICES

Tyco Services Australia/New Zealand, a unit of Tyco International's Fire & Security Division, is a leading provider of Fire & Safety, Electronic Security, Electrical and Mechanical Services, Integrated Systems, and Facilities Management.

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