SGF event to offer retailers valuable insights
CONVENIENCE retailers can learn about the best ways to tackle soaring thefts and in-store attacks at the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) Crime Seminar next month.
Highlights of the free event include insights from industry experts on the latest retail crime trends, the economic and operational consequences it has on businesses and how retailers can stay ahead.
A retailer panel will divulge real-life stories about the constant threat of crime and attendees can look around an exhibition to discover preventative solutions.
There will also be opportunities to network with professionals in security, retail operations and law enforcement to share knowledge and solutions.
Speakers at the seminar, taking place on 13 March, 8.30am to 3pm, at the Doubletree by Hilton at Edinburgh Airport, will include representatives from Police Scotland and the Scottish Government.
SGF chief exec Pete Cheema said: “There isn’t a more pressing issue for convenience retailers. Shop workers across Scotland are facing horrendous abuse and life-threatening violence.
“Shop theft and vandalism is costing small local businesses thousands of pounds every year. The impact of retail crime on communities, businesses and the economy is now endemic across Scotland.
“Unless we have a functional justice system, with meaningful resources to reverse the trend in retail crime, the work of government to improve the wellbeing of communities and grow the economy will continue to be hamstrung.”
The SGF event follows revelations from the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) that it reckoned there were 170 incidents of violence or abuse to Scottish shopworkers every day last year, with nearly 4,000 violent attacks in 2024.
The SRC said theft had cost Scottish retailers £170million last year, meaning customers had to face both higher prices and more inconvenient shopping experiences as retailers sought to mitigate the costs and shrinkage.
Ewan MacDonald-Russell, deputy head of the SRC, said: “It’s not acceptable that retail staff in Scotland have to operate in this climate of fear. While the recent Holyrood budget announcement of £3million to help tackle retail crime is a good start, the reality is a much greater effort is needed across the criminal justice system to get this situation under control and protect workers and customers.”
