Currys unveils major safety spend to protect staff, kerb retail crime

From Yahoo Finance: 2025-04-01 10:14:00

Currys invests heavily in store safety measures to protect employees and combat retail theft. Incidents of violence and abuse against retail staff have surged, prompting the retailer to introduce new technologies and protocols. A pilot of staff headsets aims to enhance communication and security, with plans for a full rollout by May.

In collaboration with Auror, Currys implements a crime reporting software platform to streamline reporting and share information among stores. The software aids in identifying threats and supports law enforcement efforts. Trials are underway in two regions, with expansion planned for next month.

Currys focuses on product security with a data-driven strategy to balance theft risks and customer engagement. Enhancements to laptop display stand security aim to deter theft without compromising customer experience. Preliminary tests show a decrease in aggressive thefts, with broader implementation scheduled for next week.

COO Lindsay Haselhurst emphasizes the importance of increasing colleague and product security in stores amid rising retail crime. Currys introduces new programs to address shoplifting and aggression, welcoming legislation to tackle the issue. Collaboration with police forces and government is key to combatting these crimes effectively.

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