Despite the backend data advantages RFID provides, the absence of visible deterrents sends the wrong message to would-be thieves. As with home security, visibility matters, alarms, signage, and cameras all reduce the likelihood of criminal behavior. In stores, hard tags and pedestals play that same role.

EAS systems trigger an alarm, but some brazen shoplifters often gamble they can get away or that staff won’t respond. With ink tags, the risk is greater: even if they succeed in leaving the store, the ink tag is there to prevent use, return, or resale of the item.

Technical Advice for Retailers

Q: What advice would you give to a retailer planning a new store versus retrofitting an existing one?
A: For new builds, get your EAS vendor in touch with the general contractor early. That way, all the wiring can be hidden for a clean look and long-term protection. For retrofits, the key is communication—especially with store staff. If you’ve been merchandising coats next to the door and now those coats have tags, they’ll constantly set off alarms. Layouts often need to change, and that has to be explained clearly to staff.

Retailers will not just be protecting profits. They will be guarding massive capital outlays. This is not speculative spending. It is survival spending. In a supply chain still reeling from post-pandemic disruptions and inflation, the stakes are now higher than at any point in recent memory.

EAS systems aren't just about sounding alarms — they’re your frontline defense against loss, fraud, and inefficiency. Retail Security Group Inc. pairs cutting-edge technology from trusted names like Checkpoint and Sensormatic with installation expertise that ensures your system works as intended from day one.

Protecting your inventory is no longer about just improving margins—it’s about survival in an age of scarcity. With fewer goods on the shelves and higher costs to restock them, every stolen item represents a much deeper loss.

Every economic indicator points to a historic rise in theft risk for the second half of 2025.
With empty shelves, higher prices, and increased desperation, organized retail crime (ORC) and everyday shoplifting will become much harder to control without strong preventive measures.

Tariffs, like inflation, are an external shock. Retailers can’t control them—but they can control how they prepare. With customers stretched thin and prices likely to rise, now is not the time to delay security investments.

https://foodtradenews.com/2025/01/13/outlook-2025-what-do-retailers-expect-regarding-tariffs-high-prices-shoplifting/

If retailers don’t act fast, the shoplifting wave could drown already fragile profit margins.

The winners of this next phase in the retail economy won’t just be those with great inventory or low overhead—they’ll be the ones who protect what they have with smart, scalable security systems.

Tariffs are here. Prices are rising. Now’s the time to tag it before they bag it.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/consumer/tariffs-and-your-money-when-to-expect-higher-prices-on-produce-cars-everyday-goods/3882638/

Powered by cutting-edge Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and proprietary software algorithms, the C2000 system ushers in a new age of tag detection. By intelligently filtering out background noise and environmental interference, it zeroes in on active AM 58 kHz security tags with unparalleled minimization of false alarms and missed tags. Just reliable, consistent protection that works with your environment, not against it.

The $800,000 in booze stolen from Virginia ABC stores represents not just a financial loss, but a challenge to the entire retail model. With organized theft rings accounting for a significant portion of these losses, implementing sophisticated security measures like dual-technology EAS systems isn't just an option—it's increasingly becoming a necessity for sustainable operations.

https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/08/02/stolen-alcohol-virginia-abc-stores

Too many thieves today know they can get away with it. In some cities, the legal system refuses to prosecute shoplifters unless they steal above a certain dollar amount. This loophole has been exploited by organized retail crime rings, where criminals steal just under the limit repeatedly, knowing there will be no consequences.

https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2025-03-04/new-zealand-government-proposes-new-citizens-arrest-powers-to-address-shoplifting/

Due to her history of theft, Walmart took extreme measures by banning her from all its stores nationwide. “We value our customers and associates and want them to have a pleasant shopping experience. Though rare, there are instances when someone is no longer welcome in our stores,” a Walmart representative stated.

The need for multiple security approaches becomes particularly apparent when considering the rise of self-checkout technology. Research from the University of Leicester found that self-checkout areas account for 20-25% of all store inventory shrink, with some grocery retailers experiencing 90-100% higher losses in stores with self-checkout options.

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2024/11/12/retailers-weigh-putting-radio-emitting-threads-into-clothes-to-curb-thefts/

Stop by our booth to discover how we're revolutionizing EAS system maintenance and sustainability in retail security. As industry veterans specializing in Electronic Article Surveillance systems, we deliver comprehensive solutions that extend equipment life, reduce operational costs, and support your environmental initiatives.

Complete inventory of leading security tags, ink tags, and security labels from all major manufacturers

Expert system maintenance and installation services that maximize your existing EAS investment

Extensive inventory of refurbished parts and customizable security tags
Industry-leading Depot Storage program for sustainable asset management
Specialized solutions for construction projects and new installations

Contact us at 1-888-909-8247 or Info@SecurityTagStore.com to schedule a private consultation during the show.

https://protect2025.smallworldlabs.com/co/retail-security-group

While RFID technology won't prevent all theft, it provides retailers with powerful tools for detection, investigation, and prevention of organized retail crime. As the technology continues to evolve, it's likely to become an increasingly central component of retail security strategies.

Despite its advantages, implementing RFID across all categories posed challenges. For Macy’s, tagging jewelry and cosmetics required finding solutions that balanced technological efficacy with product presentation. Collaborating with GS1 and other partners, Macy’s continues to address these hurdles, demonstrating a commitment to achieving 100% RFID-tagged inventory across all categories.

While both states are taking aggressive stances against retail theft, their approaches reflect different priorities:

Florida's system emphasizes deterrence through clear, severe consequences, with a particular focus on high-value theft. The straightforward tiered structure makes penalties easily understood by both law enforcement and potential offenders.

California's package takes a more systemic approach, addressing not just the act of theft but the entire ecosystem that enables it—from organized crime networks to online resale platforms. The state also maintains rehabilitation options for younger offenders while closing longstanding loopholes in enforcement.

If you haven’t already, explore adding RFID tags to high-value or easily pilfered items. RFID enables swift product tracking, expedited cycle counts, and better accuracy when identifying discrepancies. Pair this technology with your existing security tags for a robust multi-layer approach.

Through regular interaction with different departments, loss prevention specialists gain insights into both official procedures and unofficial workflows, understanding where and why security measures might be bypassed or ignored…Cross-departmental experience proves invaluable in this field. When opportunities arise to work within different areas of the business, professionals should eagerly embrace them.