METRO Cash & Carry to Improve Customer Service Through Sophisticated Shrink
Management Solutions From Checkpoint Systems
HONG KONG, Nov. 6 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Checkpoint Systems (NYSE: CKP),
the global leader in product identification and shrink management solutions,
has been selected by METRO Cash & Carry to launch a global shrink management
and source-protection program in Europe, Asia and Africa. The strategic
agreement, which includes worldwide store installation of NDRF (New Digital
Radio Frequency) technology and source tagging, will help METRO Cash & Carry
to minimise shrinkage and reduce operational costs by using only one
supplier, Checkpoint Systems, and implement source tagging, with the ultimate
aim of improving their customers' shopping experience.
Installation of 3G NDRF antennas and deactivators is planned for the more
than 425 Cash & Carry self-service wholesale stores in 28 countries, making
it the most international EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) roll out of
its kind.
The global shrink management solution provides METRO Cash & Carry (under
METRO and MAKRO brand names), with product protection throughout the entire
supply chain, from manufacturing and distribution to the point of sale, where
the RF tags on the item are deactivated. This eliminates the need for
employees to spend time physically securing the tags in-store or removing
them at point of sale.
"Protection of products right from manufacture is now essential to
minimise shrinkage, and improve processes," said Gerhard Friedrichs,
Corporate Head of Security of METRO Cash & Carry.
"Traditionally across METRO security was managed in-store, using a number
of different technologies and methods, such as AM (Acoustomagnetic) and RF,
from different suppliers. Partnering with Checkpoint will allow METRO to have
a consistent product protection solution across its entire international
estate."
Source tagging ensures that the presentation of a product is not altered
as the tag can be applied onto, or integrated directly into, a product's
label or packaging. This provides a discreet security solution that enables
the retailer to display the products freely, giving customers easy access to
products.
Products prone to theft will be protected first, such as garments, shoes,
razor blades, wine, spirits, liquors, and high-value meat. The Benelux
nations, which have already commenced their source tagging program are
protecting high risk items like batteries, ink cartridges, garments and
cosmetics.
A large proportion of METRO Cash & Carry's product range will be tagged
and the security added to the product will be adapted to each country's
specific needs. A variety of unique source tagging solutions from Checkpoint
will be used by METRO, including high speed auto-apply labels, fully
integrated hang tags, shoe and woven labels with or without variable data to
be applied on apparel, within apparel or into the shoe items.
Checkpoint is also able to provide METRO Cash & Carry with tags through
its Global CheckNet Service Bureau, which can print virtually any label or
ticket upon demand from any of the five continents. This will help to
increase the quality of METRO's manufacturing phase, enabling products to
reach stores much quicker and with the right level of product protection.
METRO Cash & Carry has built an internal team to handle the
implementation of the project and Checkpoint is supporting the program with
it's own source tagging team, including source tagging advisors based at
METRO's Buying Offices around the world.
George Off, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Checkpoint Systems Inc.,
said: "Our strategic partnership with METRO Cash & Carry has seen both
parties invest long-term commitment to help secure merchandise better while
also improving the customer shopping experience. This program demonstrates
the advantages that RF source tagging can deliver and, with this bold move by
METRO Cash & Carry, along with announcements by other global retailers over
the last 12 months, RF source tagging has clearly established itself as the
industry standard in Europe as well as in many vertical markets globally."
About Checkpoint Systems Inc.
Checkpoint Systems Inc. is the global leader in shrink management
solutions for the retail industry and its supply chain. Checkpoint's services
are aimed at increasing sales and protecting the profits of its customers.
Listed on the NYSE, Checkpoint operates in every geographic market and
employs 3,600 personnel worldwide. Checkpoint specializes in source
protection of consumer goods, EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance), RFID
(Radio Frequency Identification) and merchandising solutions. CheckNet is
Checkpoint's strategic platform for its source tagging service, a global
network for 'just in time' delivery of critical information and protection
applied on products at the point of manufacture.
http://www.checkpointeurope.com
About METRO Cash & Carry
METRO Cash & Carry is the international market leader in self-service
wholesale business for professionals. It is the biggest sales division of
German-based METRO Group, the Top 3 retailing group worldwide. METRO Group
had annual sales of ａ 55.7 billion in 2005 and covers the sales formats
METRO/Makro Cash & Carry, Real/Extra food retail, Media Markt and Saturn as
well as Galeria Kaufhof department stores. More information at
http://www.metrogroup.de or http://www.metro-cc.com
