Sharon White, chairman of John Lewis, calls for stronger laws to combat rising shoplifting incidents.
- John Lewis sister company Waitrose reports increase in theft often linked to organised groups.
- White highlights existing disparities in legislation between Scotland and other regions, urging uniform laws.
- British Retail Consortium data shows a significant rise in assaults on Waitrose employees since 2020.
- John Lewis initiates a gesture to support police presence in stores by offering free coffee.
Sharon White, the chairman of John Lewis, has made a public appeal for the implementation of stricter legislation to address the growing incidence of shoplifting. Speaking on a popular breakfast television programme, White emphasised the importance of comprehensive laws, pointing out the difference in Scotland where specific laws offer more protection to shop workers encountering abuse or attacks. She mentioned that such legal frameworks could be beneficial elsewhere, highlighting the overstretched resources of the police and stressing that theft is not a victimless crime.
John Lewis’s sister company, Waitrose, has been experiencing a notable rise in shoplifting incidents, often linked to organised gangs. In addition to theft, Waitrose reports have noted instances of anti-social behaviour, which pose significant challenges to the retail environment. Whilst there have been no severe injuries reported among its staff, incidents involving threats with weapons have been acknowledged. This upsurge in criminal activities necessitates urgent attention.
The British Retail Consortium has supported White’s concerns by providing data indicating a nearly twofold increase in assaults on Waitrose employees since 2020. Physical assaults on store workers have risen by 30% annually, accompanied by a 20% increase in anti-social behaviour and verbal abuse. On average, there are 850 reported cases of abuse against store staff every day, emphasising the critical need for legislative reform.
White argues that recognising these incidents as non-trivial is crucial as the cost of theft ultimately impacts customers. She elaborated that a robust local police presence greatly reassures store workers, enhancing the perceived seriousness of these crimes.
As a practical step to foster collaboration with law enforcement, John Lewis has initiated a programme offering complimentary coffee to police officers who visit their stores with a reusable cup. This initiative, named ‘thanks a latte’, is an effort to encourage more regular police presence in retail spaces, thereby hoping to act as a deterrent to potential offenders.
The call for stringent shoplifting legislation underlines the need for legal and community support to safeguard retail environments.
