News

New CLEAR label protects high-value items from theft, doesn't obscure barcodes

November 17, 2010

Checkpoint Systems Inc. today announced its newest RF label series in its Enhanced Performance (EP) Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) labels. 

EP Clear can be placed over a barcode without jeopardizing barcode scanning. It is also the smallest size EAS label available for protecting small, thin, un-carded cosmetics and other high-value merchandise.

EP CLEAR labels are a visual deterrent to theft and have been proven in retailers' pilot studies to reduce pilferage by more than 15 percent. The high-theft product category of health and beauty is one of the key areas to benefit from these new RF label circuits, as the labels are small in size and can protect items often targeted by thieves such as cosmetics, perfumes and other small merchandise.

Until now, the company says technology limitations made manufacturing an EAS label this small with a large, clear viewing window very difficult.

The labels may be applied to products in stores by employees; EP CLEAR labels are also easily integrated into high-speed source tagging processes by product manufacturers, so that merchandise arrives in stores shelf ready.

"The EP CLEAR label gives retailers and manufacturers the effective protection they seek for smaller merchandise that is highly susceptible to theft," said Farrokh Abadi, Checkpoint Systems' worldwide president, shrink management systems. "The proven decline in shrink is due to potential shoplifters seeing that products are clearly protected — the label's electronic circuit is now visible on the products. For small, high-theft items, visible deterrence is a preferred method of protection.

"The ability to scan barcodes through the EP CLEAR label is another breakthrough advancement that makes the labels especially convenient for small cosmetic merchandise for which retailers are reporting increased shrink. By introducing this advancement to our ground-breaking EP labels, we have raised the bar and hit the trifecta our customers are looking for: better theft detection, in a smaller and more attractive label, that is designed to work well for source tagged merchandise."

EP CLEAR labels are also environmentally friendly. Produced using less aluminum, less paper and less plastic than standard labels, they help retailers reduce their carbon footprint. By replacing standard EAS labels with EP CLEAR labels, retailers and CPG manufacturers can reduce waste material by up to 65 percent.

Philadelphia-based Checkpoint Systems is a global supplier of shrink management, merchandise visibility and apparel labeling solutions for the retail industry and its supply chain.