Sports retailer JD has reported a 50% reduction in thefts since introducing Agon Systems electronic article surveillance equipment.

JD Sports has collaborated with Swiss manufacturer Agon Systems to produce a new electronic article surveillance tag called the Concept Tag.

The retailer has introduced the anti-theft technology to its flagship stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham as well as European stores in Nice and Marseille.

Trialling Agon Systems technology has seen a 50% reduction in losses from JD Sports’ Oxford Street store, as well as increased thefts in branches in close proximity that are not currently employing the Concept Tag technology.

JD Sports has calculated that rolling out the technology across the group would equate to a loss reduction in the region of £5m, resulting in a 5% boost to JD Sports’ profits.

Agon Systems’ managing director Sean Welch commented: “We are delighted with the results, which indicate that Concept Tag is a real game-changer for retailers protecting desirable clothing.

“Simply introducing Concept Tag, which works with all existing electronic article surveillance systems, is now proven to increase a retailer’s bottom line.”