Top Dog
EDITOR’S COMMENT
LIKE HURRICANE GUSTAV, THE CREDIT CRUNCH HAS BLOWN
AN ILL-WIND FOR RETAILERS, BUT THIS PRESENTS A GOLDEN
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOSS PREVENTION COMMUNITY
ELCOME to issue 2 of Retail pounds in loss had gone, as the utility
W
Fraud magazine. Following companies have to every year, loss prevention
on from the success of issue would be right up there as a board level
1, I am put in mind of those function on the right hand of the FD and the
successful bands and their CEO.
infamous ‘difficult second album’ – how
do you follow that? I am delighted that ISSUE 2
many have succeeded and I think,
scanning the pages of this issue, you will As I alluded to at the beginning of this
agree that the content is once again introduction, issue 2 has been a pleasure to
strong and worthy of your valuable bring together although tantalisingly difficult.
subscription. It has been more a question of what to leave
Since we last published we have out, than what to put in – in short I have been
been introduced to the credit crunch, spoilt for choice.
a cold wind that blew in from the US I am delighted with our two big-hitter
like Hurricane Gustav. The outcome contributors – the cover story interview with
of most of these ill winds from across Liberty’s Shami Chakrabarti who fitted in our
the Atlantic is that Blighty will catch interview between appearances on Have I Got
a cold which, as we are already News for You, profile pieces in the Observer
witnessing, is bad news for and on Radio 4 – and Home Office Minister
retail sales. Vernon Coaker who was responding to
Watch out for the next Every cloud – even those that crossed questions put to him by the Retail Loss
issue of Retail Fraud: Louisiana and New Orleans – have a silver Prevention Fashion Forum, a body that is
● Let’s get down to lining and the credit crunch and the threat of growing from strength to strength and, I feel,
business – a preview of a full-out recession could be good news for it is becoming a real voice for loss prevention
the Retail Business loss prevention professionals who have for professionals everywhere.
Show at Olympia too long been seen as the Cinderella function I am also pleased to include the Wendy’s
● The right prescription within retail. case study, an truly amazing and macabre
on loss – Retail Fraud With sales slow and lumpy, there has never example of the lengths people will go to in an
meets Robert Jennings has there been a better time to invest in loss attempt to extort financial gain from retailers.
the loss prevention prevention to reduce shrink and loss and It is a good example of clever people using
enforcer at Boots boost those elusive margins. Sales are forensics and good old fashioned detective
important, but preventing the haemorrhaging work to corner their prey and protect their
If you would like to losses that many retailers put their heads in hard-earned brand reputation. Read and
contribute news items, the sand over, is crucial at this time. enjoy, but perhaps not while you are eating.
feature ideas, letters or Remember, retailers do not have to report
have any comments, their shrink levels in their annual P&L figures.
contact If they did have to stand before angry John Wilson
john@retailevents.co.uk shareholders and explain where millions of Editor
ISSUE 2 SEPTEMBER 2008 • 01
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