The impact of crime on the retail sector is profound.  

Shoplifting presents a significant financial burden. Staff morale is drastically impacted. The ripple effect on those witnessing crime and violence is costly.  

But retailers, in collaboration with policymakers, are making strides to tackle the problem.

Crime is high on the boardroom agenda. Retailers are committing significant resources and investment to technology, operational and people solutions to mitigate loss, reduce churn and support the wellbeing of their colleagues.  

But many challenges remain.  

So where should retailers focus to protect both profits and people?

Retail Week’s inaugural Retail Crime and Colleague Safety Summit will galvanise the sector to tackle the biggest challenges facing store teams head-on.  

Register for your free place to join us on February 11 from 1.30pm to 5pm at the Soho Hotel, London, to be part of the conversation.

At this half-day summit, we will cover:

• Insights into the innovative work happening across the sector to tackle the impact of retail crime
• The technology and tools that are making a difference, and the most important metrics to measure ROI
• How retailers are building comprehensive and robust safety plans, spanning operations, security and people teams
• Opportunities for effective collaboration to drive change

Agenda 

1.30pm-2pm: Refreshments and networking 

2pm-2.05pm: Retail Week welcome 

 2.05pm-2.25pm: Opening keynote | Retail crime: From crisis to control

Retail crime in the UK is escalating at an alarming rate. According to the BRC retail crime survey 2025, over 20 million incidents were reported in the year to August 2024 – that’s more than 55,000 a day. 

The financial impact is huge: £4.2bn lost, including £2.2bn from customer theft alone. Even more concerning is the human cost – with over 2,000 daily incidents of violence and abuse against retail staff, including 70 involving a weapon.

This session offers an insight into the macro forces driving these trends – from socioeconomic pressures and organised crime, to what policymakers are doing to tackle the problem. Our aim is to give retail leaders the tools to better protect their people, assets and operations in an increasingly volatile environment. 

We’ll explore: 

• The true scale and evolving nature of retail crime 
• Socioeconomic and policy drivers behind the surge 
• Strategic approaches to prevention, protection, and resilience
• How retail leaders can shift from reactive firefighting to proactive strategy

 2.30pm-3.00pm: Customers | Striking the balance between security and excellent customer experience  

AI facial-recognition software, security officers patrolling stores, products in locked cases, exit barriers. While these solutions are the height of store security, visible deterrence mechanisms can feel intrusive, negatively impacting customer experiences and conversion.

So, how can retailers maintain a welcoming and engaging environment while safeguarding staff and stock?  

In this session, we'll discuss how leading retailers are successfully implementing effective security measures without compromising brand values and alienating customers.  

We'll cover:  

• Brand integrity vs risk management: how to align security protocols with customer expectations 
• How to communicate security measures positively to customers, turning safety into a value proposition rather than a friction point
• Case studies from retailers getting visible deterrence right

3.00pm-3.25pm: Colleagues | Protecting your people: Tools and tactics for safer, happier retail teams 

As retail crime escalates, its impact goes far beyond the shop floor. It’s reshaping how staff feel about their safety, their employers and their future in the industry. This session explores the human side of the issue: how fear, intimidation and repeated exposure to aggression erode morale, wellbeing and retention. 

We’ll examine what retail leaders can do to create environments where staff feel safe, respected and reassured, and how that sense of security translates into loyalty and productivity. From emotional wellbeing support to tech-driven safety solutions, discover practical ways to protect your people and your company culture. 

Key themes will include: 

• The emotional and operational impact of retail crime on staff happiness and morale
• How to make safety and respect central to staff retention strategies and daily operations
• The role of tech in empowering and protecting frontline teams

3.25pm-3.55pm: Refreshments and networking 

3.55pm-4.25pm: Costs | The true cost of retail crime – quantifying the damage and finding solutions 

Retail theft presents a significant financial burden on the UK retail sector, with reports indicating annual costs could be more than £4bn.  

This includes not only the direct value of stolen goods, but the substantial investment retailers are making in crime-prevention measures and the wider impact on staff and customer experience.  

In this session, we will discuss:  

• The financial reality – quantifying shrinkage and its impact on margins, and exploring the hidden costs of retail crime
• How to best balance security investment with profitability, and which solutions have the best pay off – from body-worn cameras and AI surveillance to increased security presence
• Case studies from retailers rolling out cost-effective solutions to cut losses and improve colleague safety  

4.25pm-4.55pm: Collaboration | Stronger together workshop

In today’s challenging retail environment, no retailer operates in isolation. From tackling rising crime to creating safer workplaces, collaboration is critical. 

In this interactive workshop, we’ll bring together key insights from the afternoon to share best practices and harness collective thinking. Together, we’ll explore how the industry as a whole can drive measurable improvements in staff safety, employee trust and operational efficiency. 

Expect actionable strategies for leveraging the power of collaboration to create safer, happier and more resilient retail environments. 

4.55pm-5.00pm: Closing remarks