Thinus Keeve, CEO of British retail giant Marks & Spencer (M&S), has demanded tougher action against retail crime and abuse of staff following an incident at one of the company’s south London stores. The call comes days after the store was reportedly targeted during local unrest, though details of the event remain unclear.
Retail crime has surged across the UK in recent years, with the British Retail Consortium reporting a 27% increase in incidents in 2023. ‘Our colleagues should never have to face violence or abuse just for doing their jobs,’ Keeve said in a statement attributed to company sources. Industry analysts note that retail workers increasingly face threats ranging from shoplifting to physical assaults.
Home Office data shows police recorded over 1,000 retail crimes daily in England and Wales last year. However, retail trade unions argue these figures underrepresent the problem, as many incidents go unreported. A government spokesperson acknowledged the concerns, stating that new legislation is being considered to better protect retail workers.
Experts warn that without systemic solutions, the retail sector could face worsening staff retention problems. ‘When frontline workers don’t feel safe, it creates ripple effects across the entire economy,’ said Dr. Helena Murchison, a labor policy researcher at the London School of Economics.