The million-dollar question – Why is it important to use EAS technology?
EAS technology is an old technology – meaning that it is reliable, well tested and high functioning. It is an easy way to protect your merchandise. The tags will sound an alarm if they come to close to the antennas. This will make it easy for your security staff to intervene when someone is trying to steal something. The antennas in themselves also look deterrent to potential shoplifters, they will if possible choose a different store to steal from instead.
Amateur shoplifters vs organized crimes
In general terms the shoplifters can be divided into two groups – the amateurs and the professionals. The amateurs is the largest group and represent around 85 % of the shoplifters. They are easier to spot than the professionals and are usually caught by your EAS system as long as items are correctly marked up. They are in many cases not aware which labels are the actual alarms (they can look very much just like a barcode) or you can hide labels inside of packages to make them hard to remove before stealing.
The organized shoplifters, the professionals, are usually harder to spot. They may case a store well in advance of the actual theft. They know how the labels look and which tags that they can open, and they usually go after the most valuable items that is easy to resell. Sometimes the organized shoplifters bring prepared bags, with a metal foil on the inside of the fabric, this reduces the signal from the tags by so much that the shoplifters can take them through the antennas without an alarm. To avoid this you can integrate your antennas with metal detection, which will send a silent alarm (a light behind the cashier and notifications to your phone) already when someone enters your store, giving you the possibility to surveil this person when they are in the store and not giving them a chance to continue with the planned theft.
I'm an expert in retail security technologies with a proven track record of understanding and implementing Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) technology. My extensive experience in this field allows me to shed light on the crucial role EAS plays in safeguarding merchandise and deterring theft.
The million-dollar question – Why is it important to use EAS technology?
EAS technology, although considered old, is a stalwart in the realm of retail security. Its reliability, extensive testing, and high functionality make it a cornerstone in protecting merchandise. The system operates on a simple premise – strategically placed tags trigger an alarm when they come into close proximity to antennas. This audible alert serves as an immediate signal for security staff to intervene, thwarting theft attempts.
The deterrent effect of EAS extends beyond the audible alarm. The visible antennas themselves act as a deterrent, dissuading potential shoplifters from targeting a store equipped with this technology. This double-layered approach makes it less likely for criminals to attempt theft in the first place, enhancing overall security.
Amateur shoplifters vs. organized crimes
Understanding the dynamics of shoplifting is crucial for tailoring effective security measures. The majority of shoplifters, around 85%, fall into the amateur category. These individuals are more easily detectable by EAS systems, provided items are correctly marked. Amateurs often lack awareness of which labels serve as alarms, as they can resemble barcodes. Additionally, concealing labels within packages adds an extra layer of difficulty for would-be thieves.
On the other end of the spectrum are organized shoplifters, the professionals. Distinguishing them poses a greater challenge. Professionals meticulously plan their thefts, familiarizing themselves with the appearance of EAS labels and knowing how to disable certain tags. They tend to target high-value items that are easily resold.
A sophisticated technique employed by organized shoplifters involves using bags with metal foil lining. This reduces the signal from EAS tags, allowing them to pass through antennas without triggering an alarm. To counteract this method, integrating antennas with metal detection becomes essential. This integrated approach sends a silent alarm, visible as a discreet light behind the cashier and notifications to connected devices. This early alert empowers retailers to surveil suspicious individuals in real-time, preventing planned thefts.
In conclusion, EAS technology remains indispensable in the retail sector, offering a reliable defense against both amateur and organized shoplifters. Its integration with metal detection enhances its effectiveness, providing retailers with a comprehensive solution to safeguard their merchandise.
