You’re here because shrink is real. This guide explains retail loss prevention (RLP) in plain English and shows how to reduce retail shrink with the right mix of process, people, and technology—without hurting customer experience. Use the selection tables below to choose between RF vs AM EAS, alarmed vs non-alarmed security display, and retractable vs locked-down solutions. When you’re ready, Get pricing in 24h · Free samples (ships in 72h) ·
Retail Loss Prevention: Strategies & Equipment Guide
You’re here because shrink is real. This guide explains retail loss prevention (RLP) in plain English and shows how to reduce retail shrink with the right mix of process, people, and technology—without hurting customer experience. Use the selection tables below to choose between RF vs AM EAS, alarmed vs non-alarmed security display, and retractable vs locked-down solutions. When you’re ready, Get pricing in 24h · Free samples (ships in 72h) · Talk to an engineer.
What is retail loss prevention
Retail loss prevention is the set of strategies and tools retailers use to prevent shoplifting and other causes of shrink. Shrink typically comes from three sources: external theft, internal theft, and process error. The goal is not only “stop theft,” but to do it in ways that protect sales and experience.
- Apparel: soft tags, hard tags, ink tags, and EAS gates at exits.
- Consumer electronics: security display stands that let customers try phones, tablets, smartwatches, and laptops safely.
- Liquor & cosmetics: AM labels, bottle locks, safer/keeper boxes, and self-alarming tags.
- Mixed merchandise: peg-hook items secured with stop locks & security display hooks.
If you operate specialty electronics or mixed retail, balance experience with deterrence—that’s where anti-theft phone holders and other interactive displays shine.
KPIs & quick diagnosis
- Shrink % (loss/sales)
- Detection rate at exits
- False-alarm rate
- Experience impact (touches, dwell, try-outs)
10-minute self-check: store type & size; metal fixtures near entrance; high-risk categories; current system (RF 8.2 MHz, AM 58 kHz, or none); false-alarm patterns; staff patrol cadence; target: reduce retail shrink by X%.
Want a printable checklist? Ask us for the template via the contact form.
Three pillars: People • Process • Technology
People. Train associates to greet, make eye contact, and recover; clear rules for suspicious behavior.
Process. Tagging at inbound, deactivation at POS, cycle counts, exception reporting, clean gate lanes.
Technology. Combine EAS systems & tags, security display for interactives, and safer boxes for boxed goods—a layered approach for deterrence, detection, and experience.
How to select (decision tables)
1) Decision helper (at-a-glance)
- Category: apparel / electronics / liquor / beauty
- Environment: metal racks? wide door lane? RF noise?
- Risk level: high / medium / low
- Priority: experience first vs security first
- Power: AC power at the display?
- Budget: high / medium / low
Example output: AM gate + soft tag for apparel; alarmed retractable mobile security stand for phones; safer boxes for boxed accessories; stop locks for peg-hook items.
2) RF 8.2 MHz vs AM 58 kHz (EAS comparison)
Dimension | RF 8.2 MHz | AM 58 kHz | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Interference near metal/liquid | Medium | Higher tolerance | AM often wins near metal fixtures & liquids |
Typical door width | 0.9–1.8 m per pair | 1.2–2.1 m per pair | Varies by antenna model |
Tag/label ecosystem | Very broad; low-cost labels | Strong hard-tag options | Consider total consumable cost |
False-alarm sensitivity | Low–Medium | Medium | Depends on deactivation quality |
Tuning & maintenance | Simple | Medium | Choose a serviceable vendor |
Explore: EAS systems & tags · EAS systems & deactivators · AM labels · Self-alarm tags · Spider tags
3) Alarmed vs non-alarmed display stands
Dimension | Alarmed security display | Non-alarmed security display |
---|---|---|
Deterrence against grab-and-run | Strongest (visible & audible) | Moderate |
Customer experience | Good | Excellent |
Complexity & upkeep | Medium–High | Low |
Best for | High-value phones, tablets, watches, laptops | Mid-risk demo areas / accessories |
Popular choices: alarmed anti-theft phone holders such as MAS1008 for phones; non-alarmed displays for low-risk zones.
4) Retractable (recoiler) vs locked-down
Dimension | Retractable (recoiler) | Locked-down |
---|---|---|
Try radius & playability | Large—best demo experience | Small—fixed position |
Cable management | Internal spring recoiler | Fixed cable/arm |
Misuse/wear risk | Medium | Low |
Best for | Experience-first new product bays | High-traffic, high-risk aisles |
See examples: MAS1008 (retractable, alarmed). Locked-down laptop option: V-lock.
Solutions & product families
EAS gates & tags (RF/AM)
- Systems & deactivators: choose RF or AM based on fixtures & product mix → EAS systems & deactivators
- Labels & hard tags: apparel & boxed goods → EAS (RF/AM), AM labels
- Specialty tags: spider tags, bottle locks, self-alarm tags
Security display stands (electronics)
- Phones: anti-theft phone holders · Hero SKU: MAS1008
- Tablets: tablet security stands · MAS1008-T · MBS1008-T · MRS1008-T
- Smartwatches: WDC1006 (sleek, secure)
- Laptops: laptop security · V-lock · S-lock · E-LOCK
- Accessories & hooks: alarm tether cable, security display hooks, stop locks
Safer / keeper boxes (magnetic unlock)
Protect boxed items without opening the package. 50+ sizes and low-cost, fast customization. Works with store detachers; clear walls preserve merchandising impact. → Safer boxes
Need a complete electronics-store layout? See our layered retail security solution combining EAS + displays + safer boxes → Mobile store security solution.
Pain points & quick fixes
Pain point | Likely cause | Quick fix | Helpful link |
---|---|---|---|
Too many false alarms | Poor deactivation; tag mix; metal fixture interference | Tune deactivator; switch lanes; consider AM near metal/liquid | EAS systems & deactivators |
Grab-and-run on phones | Non-alarmed display; no tether | Use alarmed retractable display | MAS1008 |
Watches go missing | Low-deterrence mounts | Upgrade to secure, elegant watch display | WDC1006 |
Laptops unplugged and moved | Fixed stands without alarm/tether | Alarmed cable with lockable base | V-lock |
Boxed accessories frequently stolen | Open shelves, no enclosure | Move high-risk SKUs to safer boxes or use spider tags | Safer boxes · Spider tags |
Hook merchandise swept | Unlocked hooks | Add stop locks / locking hooks | Security display hooks |
Case studies
Specialty mobile retailer, 2 doors (APAC)
Challenge: 2.6% shrink on phones/accessories; frequent hook sweeps; demo units missing.
Solution: AM gate; alarmed retractable phone displays (MAS1008); watch display upgrade (WDC1006); stop locks; safer boxes.
Results: shrink down 38% in 90 days; demo conversion +12%; false alarms down after POS retraining.
Big-box apparel with cosmetics corner (EU)
Challenge: RF false alarms and missed picks around metal fixtures; liquid cosmetics near entrance.
Solution: Move cosmetics to AM lane; reinforce tagging policy; improve POS deactivation QA; add spider tags on promos.
Results: detection rate +24%, false alarms −31%; staff time at gates reduced.
University tech shop (NA)
Challenge: laptops shifted between bays; theft attempts during rush hours.
Solution: Lock-down alarmed cable system for laptops; improved line of sight; alarmed phone displays for premium SKUs.
Results: attempted thefts deterred; losses to 0 in first semester.
FAQ
What is retail loss prevention?
Retail loss prevention is the mix of policies, training, and technologies retailers use to control shrink from theft and errors. Modern programs balance deterrence at exits, accurate detection, and great in-store experience. See EAS systems & tags and security display options.
How do I reduce retail shrink fast?
Start with a quick audit: fix deactivation issues at POS, secure high-risk demos, and protect boxed goods. Then scale with the right EAS lane and tagging policy. See anti-theft phone holders and safer boxes.
RF vs AM—what should I choose?
AM tolerates metal/liquid environments better and supports wider lanes; RF offers broad label ecosystems and simple upkeep. Compare hardware and serviceability here: EAS systems & deactivators.
Do EAS systems interfere with metal fixtures?
Metal can reduce detection fields. AM typically performs better near metal and liquids; correct antenna placement matters. If you have metal racks near the exit, consider AM and verify with a site survey. Explore AM labels.
Alarmed vs non-alarmed display stands—when to use each?
Use alarmed displays in high-risk, high-value zones (phones, watches, laptops) to deter grab-and-run. Use non-alarmed displays in mid-risk demo areas for frictionless try-outs. See MAS1008 and laptop options.
Retractable vs locked-down—pros & cons?
Retractable solutions maximize play radius and experience; locked-down solutions minimize misuse and keep devices fixed. Many stores mix both. Examples: MAS1008 (retractable, alarmed) and V-lock (locked-down with alarm cable).
Which EAS tags work best for apparel / electronics / liquor?
Apparel: soft labels + hard tags; electronics: hard tags & self-alarming for bundles; liquor: bottle locks or ink/self-alarm tags. See EAS tags & labels.
How do I prevent false alarms at exits?
Audit POS deactivation, standardize tagging, and keep gates free of stray tags. Pick the right lane tech (RF vs AM) for your fixtures. Troubleshoot with EAS systems & deactivators.
What is a safer/keeper box and how is it opened?
A safer/keeper box is a transparent protective case for boxed goods. It opens with a magnetic detacher at POS so you keep merchandise visible yet protected. Browse sizes: Safer boxes.
How do I combine EAS with security display?
Use EAS for exits and packaged goods, and security display for interactive devices. Layering gives deterrence, detection, and great try-outs. See anti-theft phone holders, WDC1006, and V-lock.
Do anti-theft devices hurt customer experience?
They don’t have to. Choose alarmed retractable where theft risk is high, and non-alarmed in low-risk zones. Keep cable routing clean and demo units charged. Explore tablet security stands.
How long do EAS tags last, and what’s the upkeep?
Hard tags last for years; labels are consumables. Plan for detachers, deactivators, and periodic testing. For boxed goods, consider reusable safer boxes.