The Co-operative Group is taking decisive action to combat shoplifting in its supermarkets by implementing advanced security measures. The initiative involves the installation of over 200 secure checkout kiosks, locked cabinets for spirit bottles, and the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to oversee self-checkouts.
This move comes as a response to a staggering 44% rise in retail crime last year, with approximately 1,000 incidents occurring daily. Despite investing £200 million in security enhancements, such as hiring additional guards and deploying a mobile undercover team to focus on crime hotspots, the retailer has witnessed a nearly 48% surge in shoplifting cases.
In 2023 alone, security personnel at the Co-op’s 2,400 stores in the UK detained over 3,350 individuals for offenses ranging from abuse, harassment, and physical assaults on staff to shoplifting. Matt Hood, the supermarket’s managing director, emphasized that this is not merely opportunistic shoplifting but organized crime and looting.
According to Hood, targeted stores will likely remain unprofitable until security measures such as secured doors protecting till kiosks are implemented. Unlike some of its competitors, the Co-op does not employ facial recognition technology. However, Hood agrees with his counterparts that stronger legal actions must be taken against retail crime.
Hood stated, People who are really organized can only be stopped by custodial sentences and the police. We need it to have consequences. He expressed concern that some colleagues choose not to report crimes, knowing there will be no significant response.
Even if a security guard apprehends a suspected criminal, they are obliged to release them if the police fail to arrive. This situation demoralizes the shop employees while motivating shoplifters, Hood added. He pointed out the success of collaborations with police forces in areas like Essex, Nottinghamshire, and Sussex, where arrests and convictions have been made.
Hood concluded by highlighting a crucial factor in addressing the issue, saying, Unless these crimes become something police act on, this will continue. It has been proved in Scotland that if you make it a specific crime to attack a shopworker, incidents come down. We need that to happen in England.
The Co-operative Group’s commitment to tackling retail crime head-on through the implementation of enhanced security measures underscores its determination to protect its staff, customer experience, and profitability. By utilizing AI technology, secure checkout kiosks, and locked cabinets for high-value items, the retailer aims to deter organized criminals and reduce incidents of shoplifting. The company’s managing director advocates for stronger legal actions and increased police intervention to ensure that retail crimes have severe consequences. With a proactive approach and collaboration with law enforcement, the Co-op is asserting its commitment to maintaining a safe shopping environment.
