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Go Outdoors has announced its plans to roll out body cameras to 25 additional stores after a successful trial at its Stoke location, in a bid to seek new ways to deter theft and ensure the safety of its store colleagues.
The trial comes after Go Outdoors announced its partnership with The Retail Trust, a charity that works to care for and protect the lives of people working in retail.
The British Retail Consortium warned in January that retail crime is “out of control” after its Annual Crime Survey figures revealed that losses from customer theft reached a record £2.2bn in 2023/24.
As a result, Go Outdoors stated that it is committed to testing and implementing solutions that will foster a “safer shopping experience for staff and customers”.
Claire Cowie, stoke store manager, said: “Body cameras have been a game-changer. They’ve not only deterred theft but also increased confidence amongst staff that they are safe when they come to work.
“The added layer of protection has been well received by our customers. It’s brought a new level of trust and transparency to our store. Crucially, the business has been proactive in equipping us with these tools, enabling us to react swiftly and effectively to the concerning increase in retail crime we’ve faced.”
Carl Harris, associate director of Retail, said: “With retail crime in the UK at an all-time high, Go Outdoors has been committed to testing different initiatives that could help foster a safer and more enjoyable shopping experience. Our recent trial in Stoke has proven to be a success, with the body cameras improving confidence among a store team that has previously faced challenges with members of the public.
“While some colleagues were initially apprehensive about the trial, citing concerns they thought the cameras might escalate situations, our Profit Protection team held a training session to highlight their benefits. As a result, more colleagues have requested to wear them, with six additional cameras ordered for the store.”
He added: “After observing the reassurance the trial provided, we have decided to roll out body cameras to 25 more stores nationwide as part of Go Outdoors’ ongoing aim to create a safer environment for both staff and customers.”
