Conference gives retailers vital advice
CONVENIENCE channel chiefs and workers were given top tips on tackling crime at a major Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) annual event last month.
Partnering up with the not-for-profit organisation Retailers Against Crime (RAC), the annual Crime & Wellbeing Seminar took place in Hampden Park on 7 March.
Attendees heard talks from members of the industry, Police Scotland and the RAC giving advice on how best to a with crime across the retail industry.
This included: how retailers can best protect themselves when they are, unfortunately, a victim of a retail crime as well as providing video footage of thefts taking place and how best to spot a shoplifter.
Maxine Fraser, boss at Retailers Against Crime, said: “For over 25 years, RAC has been highlighting that retail crime is not victimless, the economic effect it has and its links to serious and organised crime.”
Breakout sessions took place later in the day hosted by Camelot, GroceryAid, Police Scotland, cybercrime prevention specialists Cyberlock and security intelligence software firm SentrySIS.
Each provided a key insight into crime prevention as well as offering support for those retailers most in need of it.
SGF chief Pete Cheema said: “Retail crime may be a daily occurrence in many convenience stores, but that in no way diminishes its seriousness and the harmful impact it can have on retailers, staff and business.
“Every single incident of abuse or theft that happens in stores across Scotland, is one too many.
“That is why SGF will always take a zero-tolerance approach to crime and ensure that decision makers understand the lasting damage it can have on staff and businesses.”
