Retailers selling high-end products require heavier in-store security and loss prevention efforts to thwart theft. After dealing with an ongoing shoplifting problem, Praxis, a Netherlands-based hardware retailer that sells construction and DIY products and garden materials, deployed the StrapLok monitor from CheckPoint Systems in approximately 70 stores.
Since implementing the anti-theft tags starting in April 2018, Praxis has:
- Decreased shrinkage
- Minimized “false alarms” caused whenever a shopper touched the merchandise; and
- Reduced labor time necessary to clean up empty boxes left on shelves.
Retailers like Praxis often sell products that include pre-manufactured nylon straps around the box to protect the inside contents. StrapLok is designed to attach onto the existing straps, and will generate an alarm only when cut. Because of dynamic tension adjustment, the StrapLok devices are compatible with low-quality, loose straps found on boxes already pre-strapped during the manufacturing process.
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The Second Time’s A Charm: Removing False Alarms
One particular store in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands convinced the retailer that it was necessary to onboard the StrapLok tech. Despite having an order system indicating how many luxury bathroom faucets were in stock, the number of faucets that were actually available in-store didn’t match up with the system. Upon further examination, Praxis found that shoplifters often targeted its easy-to-conceal range of Grohe faucet products.
Praxis promptly identified the problem and implemented security devices to protect the faucets, but that created another problem: alarms often went off when any shopper picked up the merchandise. This prevented honest customers from viewing the product information or even buying the product. Additionally, the false alarms were labor-intensive for store staff, who had to frequently turn off the alarm using the appropriate key/detacher.
The false positives encouraged Praxis to move from its prior loss prevention solution to the StrapLok tags.
“The StrapLok instantly minimized false alarms which made a huge difference for the customer,” said Remon Bonte, Store Manager at Praxis Apeldoorn in commentary provided to Retail TouchPoints. “For store staff, it also meant that we could deal with every alarm effectively as we knew it was a legitimate issue. It is a perfect solution because it’s easy to apply, allows customers to interact with the product and protects merchandise.”
Praxis Eliminates Empty Package Clean Up
Alarms weren’t the only issue the retailer had to deal with as a result of its theft problems. In another store in Drunen, The Netherlands, shoplifters were removing luxury faucets and power tools from their packaging and leaving the empty boxes on the shelves. To thwart the thieves, Praxis headquarters ordered a three-month trial, applying StrapLok tags to products across a range of product categories.
“Since implementing the StrapLok, we no longer find empty packaging on our shelves,” said Jos van Lith, Store Manager at Praxis Drunen in commentary provided to Retail TouchPoints. “It has been highly successful because it is reliable and easy to use, while we do not suffer from false alarms and can deal with each problem very effectively. Ultimately, this solution has reduced shrinkage of Grohe taps and hand tool boxes from Makita, Bosch and Worx.”
At first, Praxis used the technology to protect products with a value of $175 or more, but the retailer has since extended it to products costing less than $100. The retailer also has expanded the use of the StrapLok tags to garden materials as well as consumer electronics.
Praxisis part of the Maxeda DIY Group, which operates a diverse range of more than 370 stores, including outlets, superstores and small high street stores throughout the Benelux region (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg).
