What Is EAS?
Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) is the theft-prevention system most commonly seen at retail store exits. An EAS system consists of three parts: security tags or labels attached to items, a deactivation device at the POS, and detection antennas at the exit.
When a customer pays, the tag is deactivated or removed. If a tag-bearing item passes through the exit without deactivation, the alarm sounds. EAS is one of the most cost-effective shoplifting deterrents across all retail categories.
AM vs RF: The Two Main Technologies
AM (Acousto-Magnetic, 58 kHz) is known for its extremely low false-alarm rate and excellent performance near metal and liquid products. AM labels are thicker but durable, making them ideal for supermarkets, drug stores, and cosmetics. AM gates typically span up to 1.8 meters.
RF (Radio Frequency, 8.2 MHz) offers the widest gate coverage of any EAS format — up to 2.5-3.0 meters per aisle. RF labels are very thin and discreet, popular for apparel and soft goods. RF is also compatible with source-tagging programs where manufacturers apply labels in the factory.
How to Choose the Right EAS System
The correct EAS format depends on your product mix and store layout. For food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, AM is the preferred choice due to its stability near metal and liquids. For apparel and general merchandise, RF delivers wider gate coverage with near-invisible labels.
SDNI recommends a site survey before any EAS deployment. Our team evaluates your floor plan, product categories, and operational requirements to specify the optimal system balancing detection rate, false-alarm rate, and total cost of ownership.