Supply chain

Sainsbury's could extend its use of Checkpoint Systems' product tags, which are applied to labels and packaging, to health and beauty products, beers, wines and spirits and electrical goods.

This follows the multiple's installation of electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennae and deactivation equipment across 371 of its UK stores.

EAS labels are applied to product labels or packaging during manufacture, which means goods are already protected when they arrive in-store.

The supermarket tags a number of product lines, including the Jamie Oliver meat range and the TU line of womenswear, and plans to extend this to other items.

Phil Wilson, head of operational support for retail profit protection at Sainsbury's, said investing in Checkpoint Systems' EAS programme had allowed the chain to pursue a "wide-ranging" source tagging programme.

"We take the threat of shoplifting very seriously and anything we can do to reduce it is a top priority. Source tagging means we can consistently protect our products and reduce the amount of time our colleagues have to spend securing the items," he said.

Checkpoint Systems UK supplies EAS, radio frequency identification (RFID) and merchandising systems to protect consumer goods and help reduce retail theft.