Co-op’s MD, Matt Hood, addresses allegations of profiteering amidst a surge in shoplifting.
- The retailer reports over 175,000 crime incidents, including shoplifting, in six months.
- Comments defending shoplifting due to alleged supermarket profiteering disappointment Hood.
- Hood dismisses the cost-of-living excuse, attributing theft to organised crime.
- Despite increased shoplifting, only a fraction of police-recorded cases result in charges.
Co-op’s Managing Director, Matt Hood, has countered accusations of profiteering emerging amid a significant rise in shoplifting incidents. The retailer has recorded over 175,000 occurrences of crime, shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour in just the first half of 2023, which is almost 1,000 incidents per day. Raising strong concerns, Hood expressed his disappointment at the rhetoric justifying such acts, especially following discussions among Members of Parliament questioning whether supermarket profit margins are fuelling these behaviours.
Hood directy addressed the comments made on social media, where individuals suggested that the financial success of these supermarkets renders shoplifting inconsequential. He articulated his frustration, asking, “if that was your child working in that shop, would you say it is a victimless crime because it is fundamentally not.” This sentiment highlights his view that all forms of retail crime have victims, contrary to the belief that they are victimless.
Moreover, Hood rebutted the common narrative that shoplifting is a consequence of the cost-of-living crisis, characterising it instead as being driven by organised crime. He claimed that items such as baby formula have been co-opted for illicit activities, including drug production, thus forcing retailers to take serious precautions, such as placing these products in security cases to ensure safety.
In addition to these remarks, industry data from the British Retail Consortium reveals about eight million shoplifting incidents reported in a year, yet police records show just 339,206 cases with only 48,218 leading to charges. This discrepancy spurred Hood to urge law enforcement to intensify their efforts, as Co-op has invested over £200 million into safety measures, a sum significantly higher than the sector’s average spend on security.
While acknowledging that current penal measures do not always lead to custodial sentences for theft and related crimes, upcoming legislative changes are expected. These will allow for stricter penalties, signalling a governmental shift towards addressing these criminal activities more assertively.
Matt Hood’s comments bring to light the complexities and challenges surrounding retail crime and the responses required to address it effectively.
