How store alarms work: are they worth it? 2026

Surely you have ever left a store and encountered the uncomfortable situation of hearing the alarm go off. Even if employees try to be attentive or have professional security guards, during peak hours it is very difficult to detect robbery attempts.

That is why most businesses are forced to install preventive security systems. These include security cameras, anti-theft arches , and similar technologies. Over the years, anti-theft devices have been improved.

Stores where they steal in Spain

Unfortunately, our country occupies one of the first places in Europe and the world when it comes to shoplifting. Contrary to popular belief, these acts of theft are usually committed impulsively.

When the product costs less than 400 euros, a minor offense is committed, while, If it exceeds this amount or violence is used, it becomes considered a crime. . The most affected stores are:

• Supermarkets
• clothing stores
• Perfumeries
• Hardware stores
• electronic stores

The most frequently stolen items are alcoholic beverages, creams, clothing, Iberian products, as well as light bulbs and batteries . Why these and not others? Well, because of the price, the size and the ease of reselling them.

It is estimated that these thefts amount to approximately 1 billion euros a year , which is equivalent to 60% unknown losses. Hence the need for most to invest in different security systems that prevent theft.

Percentage of robberies in Spain

If we take a look at the data from the last Barometer of theft in Commercial Distribution, collected by NIQ, with the collaboration of Aecoc and the sponsorship of Checkpoint Systems, We will find surprising figures.

La unknown loss has an impact of 0.74% on the total annual turnover of distribution companies in Spain. This percentage translates into about 1,856 million euros. Although taking into account data from past years, this impact has been considerably reduced.

We want to highlight that more than half of the cases of theft they are about external thefts. The administrative errors they barely reach a quarter of the total, and the remaining percentage is divided by the internal theft or employees and the supplier fraud.

Types of alarms in stores

Currently, the security systems most used in stores, both clothing and non-clothing, are surveillance cameras, anti-theft systems (EAS) and the presence of security guards .

El closed circuit television or CCTV It is a set of closed circuit security cameras that are very useful for monitoring and detecting any suspicious movement of clients. In front of these types of cameras there are usually security guards who are responsible for acting in a professional manner.

On the other hand, the EAS system ( Electronic article surveillance )—most popular of all anti-theft devices—supposes the placement of small devices on the labeling of all products that emit a warning signal when passing through a limited area of the premises.

How clothing alarms work

When talking about a store alarm, we are mainly referring to the anti-theft arches , since cameras and security guards contribute to security, but do not have any audible alerts. The arches are placed at store entrances to detect the passage of unpaid items.

As we have already mentioned, this security system is known as EAS, and is made up of two elements:

• Device that is placed on the product to be protected
• Arches located at the entrances

Anti-theft labels placed on items have evolved over time to become less detectable. In the case of clothing, the most common thing is to alarm it with a plastic object that the employee is responsible for removing through a magnet after payment.

For obvious reasons, these types of objects are impossible to place in supermarket items such as creams, meat products or any type of food, as well as in hardware products such as batteries, light bulbs, etc.

For these cases, they have been developed anti-theft labels much smaller. There are the reusable rigid labels , which are deactivated using a specific detacher that leaves them in a state that does not trigger the arc alarm. They usually hide in cloth covers.

On the other hand, the adhesive labels They are rendered useless by passing them through a scanner. When it detects them, it deactivates them to also prevent the audible alert from the entrance arches from being activated.

The security arches have an audible alarm that goes off when they detect the passage of any of the devices mentioned above. The tags emit a signal that the arc receives through different types of technology:

• Radiofrequency
• Electromagnetism
• Acustomagnetism

Radiofrequency is the most commonly used technology . At all times, a very low radio frequency is emitted, specifically 8.2MHz, and when the anti-theft tag passes between the arches this frequency increases, triggering the alarm.

The arcs work in pairs, one being the transmitting antenna and the other the receiving antenna, so the tagged object must pass through the middle of the two to be detected.

And if you're wondering, no: This system is not harmful to health . Different studies have already shown that their waves are up to 10 times lower than that of mobile phones, for example.

Can store alarms be deactivated or removed?

If you are running a business and have considered invest in security systems such as cameras or anti-theft arches, one of the doubts it is normal for you to ask yourself how effective these systems are.

You already know that cameras are not infallible; It is relatively normal for there to be some blind spot or even that the guard could make a mistake in attention and miss a robbery. However, its use is a deterrent: prevent many more thefts What if you decide not to install anything.

On the other hand, the arches alarm It can be avoided mainly in two ways. One of them is to avoid passing the object through the detection zone; something very unlikely especially if they are placed correctly.

The other is the one that the “crooks” tend to resort to most frequently: Line your bags or backpacks with aluminum foil. This prevents the arc from detecting the frequency emitted by the tags.

Be careful, because these systems have been perfected over time to avoid deception. Current models offer a effectiveness of approximately 90%.

You should also keep in mind that there are magnetic deactivators or decouplers which can deactivate or detach the anti-theft tags. Simply bringing the device closer to the label would be enough. But does not work with stickers , who need a electronic decoupler. That is why we advise you to use this type of labels.

Oh, and just like the cameras, the mere presence of the arches also works as a deterrent. So are store alarms worth it? Obviously yes. Any security is insufficient to prevent economic damage.

Frequently asked questions

What sets off store alarms?

Store alarms are activated mainly by security labels that are placed on the products. These labels, whether RFID (radio frequency) or electromagnetic , emit signals that are detected by sensors installed at the doors or exits of the store. If an item with an active tag has not been deactivated at the checkout, the sensor sounds the alarm.

What are the alarms in stores called?

Alarms in stores are generally known as Electronic Article Security Systems (EAS) . These systems include security tags (RFID or electromagnetic) and detection sensors at exits to prevent theft.

Why does my bag set off store alarms?

Your bag may contain a active safety label  that has not been properly disabled during checkout, which can cause store alarms to activate when passing by sensors. Sometimes security tags are placed on bags, clothing, or accessories, and if not removed properly, they can cause this problem.