We operate 38 stores across the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, and experienced a sharp rise in targeted theft — with chocolate alone costing the society £250,000 over the past year. It was our most stolen product in 2024 and is now second only to alcohol in 2025.

This is not petty, opportunistic shoplifting — it is organised and persistent. In some instances, a single individual can strip a shelf in moments, with losses running into thousands of pounds in just one week. A fully stocked chocolate fixture can be worth around £500. In response, we have invested £3 million in enhanced security and preventative measures to protect our colleagues and reduce the impact on our communities.

More broadly, shoplifting is increasingly organised and brazen, with around 60 incidents reported across our stores each week, many involving repeat offenders known to the police.

Our priority will always be the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues. We will continue working closely with the police and investing in measures that protect our teams, while keeping our stores safe and welcoming for the communities we serve.