Amid the significant rise in shoplifting across the UK, Iceland Foods has announced that customers who spot thieves in its stores will be eligible for a reward via its Bonus Card loyalty scheme.
The frozen food chain is encouraging shoppers to alert staff if they see anyone shoplifting in the aisles. In doing so, they will be eligible for a £1 reward, which will be credited to their Bonus Card and available to spend immediately.
“The scourge of shoplifting on our high streets continues to plague the UK, and the problem is only worsening, with criminal activity spreading across, not just big cities, but our market towns and villages too,” said Richard Walker, executive chairman of Iceland Foods.
“In order to combat any activity in Iceland stores, we’re encouraging our loyal customers to help sound the alarm, and if they do help to catch a shoplifter, we’ll top up their Bonus Card to spend in store.”
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed last month that the number of shoplifting incidents rose 20% to 530,643 during the year to the end of March, marking the highest number since records began in 2003.
NamNews Implications:
- No one doubts the havoc caused by shoplifting.
- But this initiative takes Iceland into dangerously sensitive legal territory
- i.e. suppose a loyal shopper overreacts and actually challenges a thief?
- i.e. what if a thief notices the shopper telling staff, and retaliates outside the store?
- For those in any doubt, shoplifters are currently threatening to attack store staff with alcohol bottles!
- Hence why some mults are warning staff to ignore shoplifters…
