The retail trade has been dealing with a myriad of challenges in a post-pandemic panorama, notably within the realm of crime. In response to a latest Retail Office Survey performed by Loss Prevention Journal, a staggering 60% of retail staff reported encountering some type of violence over the previous 12 months.
Now, Walmart (which mentioned it closed 22 shops by mid-2023 on account of security issues) is taking direct motion to curb crime in its shops.
Walmart is reopening considered one of its closed shops in Atlanta’s Vine Metropolis neighborhood after renovating it to incorporate a pharmacy, groceries, and a novel addition—a police station throughout the retailer, The Road reported. The method goals to fight crime, improve safety, and make consumers really feel safer, the corporate says.
“After speaking with the Retailers Affiliation on MLK and Clark College and different individuals within the neighborhood, people had been saying they need to see extra police presence,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens advised the outlet.
In a 2022 interview with CNBC, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon acknowledged the problem of theft, which had surpassed “historic” ranges, including that police enforcement is a key think about addressing the issue.
“I feel native regulation enforcement being staffed and being companion is a part of that equation, and that is usually how we method it,” McMillion mentioned on the time. “It is retailer managers working with native regulation enforcement and we have got nice relationships there for probably the most half.”
Upon reopening, the police substation can even function a hub for officers to recharge their units, maintain conferences, and handle paperwork.
Different main retail chains which have confronted the problem of ongoing theft and crime have voiced new measures to fight the problem.
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In August, low cost retailer Greenback Tree mentioned on an earnings name that it will be taking a “very defensive method” to theft by growing the variety of merchandise locked behind cabinets and even discontinuing sure objects at shops which might be repeatedly stolen.