Currys announces largest ever investment in store safety and security including colleague headsets trial

Omnichannel tech and electrical retailer Currys is implementing a range of new store technologies and safety programmes, which represent its largest ever investment programme in this space, alongside a Safety Week for store colleagues across the UK.

These include upgraded specification public display monitors in high risk stores, trialling and rolling out new approaches to product security, investment in intelligence collection and analysis, and increased spend on guarding and surveillance.  

In partnership with VoCoVo, colleague headsets are currently being trialled across selected stores and rolled out to all locations by the end of May. Feedback so far has been positive, with colleagues noting that being able to instantly talk to their peers across large stores makes them feel safer, especially when confronted with shoplifters.  

It is also improving in-store experience for customers, who can request assistance by clicking a button at the store front that notifies the shop floor team via their headsets.  

Currys is partnering with Auror to introduce crime reporting software. The platform speeds up and improves the accuracy of crime reporting, with the aim of driving focus on repeat offenders to prevent crime and reduce loss.

Stores can share information on crimes and the perpetrators in a secure environment. This is then matched and connections made between offences across the UK. This intelligence sharing not only informs and guides colleagues in stores about current threats, but also helps build cases for law enforcement intervention. The platform is currently in trial across two regions with the hope to roll it out across the remaining estate in early May this year.  

Large scale investment is also being made in product security. Additional and appropriate levels of protection will be phased into product ranges in each store. Using a data led approach, Currys says it will balance the risk of shoplifting with enabling its customers to see it, feel it, touch it – the latter, considered a key benefit to its omnichannel model.  

One such investment is an additional spend on enhancing security on laptop display stands in every store within the Currys estate. This has been tested widely and seen good results in reducing numbers of aggressive thefts. The wider roll-out is due to commence next week. 

Lindsay Haselhurst, Currys Chief Operating Officer says: “UK retail crime statistics make for difficult reading, as incidents of shoplifting and aggression against retail workers continue to climb. These are not victimless crimes; the worst cases leave colleagues and customers injured and traumatised.”

“That’s why I’m really pleased to roll-out a number of new programmes to increase colleague and product security in our stores, and welcome the new Crime and Policing Bill legislation. However, we know there is much more to be done and this must be a collaborative effort with all involved, including local police forces and government.”   

Matthew Speight, Currys UK Stores Director, says: “I’ve been out and about in stores seeing these new measures in action, hearing first hand from colleagues how much they’re helping. I hope that alongside showcasing our new safety features, our Safety Week will give colleagues an additional forum to openly share their concerns and ideas with us.” 

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Retail security will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in March, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.