Currys, a British omnichannel technology retailer, has unveiled its most significant annual investment in store safety measures to date reaffirming its focus on staff security.
The move is aimed at protecting employees and discouraging retail theft. The announcement coincides with the company’s observance of ‘Safety Week’ for its store personnel throughout the UK.
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It follows a report from British Retail Consortium which revealed reveal that incidents of violence and abuse against retail staff surged to more than 2,000 per day in fiscal year 2023-24, compared to 1,300 daily occurrences the previous year.
The retailer is introducing an array of new technologies and safety protocols as part of this extensive investment in safety.
Upgrades include enhanced Public Display Monitors in stores deemed high-risk, experimentation with novel product security measures, and a commitment to better intelligence gathering and analysis. Additionally, there will be a heightened focus on security personnel and surveillance systems.
Currys is piloting the use of staff headsets in select locations, with a full rollout expected by the end of May this year.
These devices enable staff to communicate more effectively on the sales floor, enhancing their sense of security, particularly when dealing with shoplifters.
Moreover, this technology also improves customer service by allowing shoppers to summon assistance through a button at the entrance that alerts staff via their headsets, notes the company.
Currys has also partnered with Auror for the implementation of a crime reporting software platform that streamlines crime reporting and increases its precision.
The software facilitates secure information sharing about crimes and suspects among stores. By correlating data on offenses nationwide, it not only equips store employees with knowledge of current threats but also supports law enforcement efforts to make shopping environments safer.
Currently undergoing trials in two regions, there are plans to expand this platform across all stores early next month.
To intensify product security across its outlets, the retailer will implement a data-driven strategy to balance theft risks against customer engagement.
One notable area of investment is the enhancement of laptop display stand security across all Currys stores. The introduction of new laptop clamps aims to deter theft without detracting from the customer experience.
Preliminary tests have shown promising results in decreasing aggressive thefts, with a broader deployment scheduled for next week, said the company.
Currys COO Lindsay Haselhurst said: “UK retail crime statistics make for difficult reading, as incidents of shoplifting and aggression against retail workers continue to climb. These are not victimless crimes; the worst cases leave colleagues and customers injured and traumatised.
“That’s why I’m really pleased to roll out a number of new programmes to increase colleague and product security in our stores, and welcome the new Crime and Policing Bill legislation. However, we know there is much more to be done and this must be a collaborative effort with all involved, including local police forces and government.”
Recently, supermarket chain Asda has initiated a trial of live facial recognition technology across five of its stores in Greater Manchester, England, UK.
