This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Cover Story
12 months.
Whether viewed as a timely
addition, or two years too late, the
BRC is trying to live up to its
position as the voice of retail,
especially when involved in
lobbying and negotiation with the
various Government departments it
daily comes into contact with.
In his previous life Robertson had
developed a reputation as a Mr Fix-
It. With a background in sales and
marketing, be began his career
with cake maker Sara Lee in the
1970s before moving to British
iconic tyre manufacturer Dunlop.
He has seen action at Mars, Mattel
Toys and Kingfisher where he was
head of marketing for B&Q and
famously signed up lone
yachtswoman Ellen McArthur who
conquered the world’s oceans in a
B&Q branded boat thus proving
the adage – ‘You can do it, if you
B&Q it!
Robertson recognised that the
world of retail was not all plain
sailing and headed for choppier
waters at Woolworth where he was
instrumental in helping launch its
Big Red Book, its home shopping Roberston: the threat of job losses is real and electronic so there is a lot to go
catalogue. He was also a key figure “Business deterrant and this may be why we at, especially in the current climate
in the management buy-out of tool crime is not have seen a reduction in internal where things are likely to get
brand Screwfix when he was CEO. victimless” theft, especially with technology tougher for retailers.”
Buoyed by his collaborative such as data mining playing such an As part of operation reach out,
reputation, Robertson has just important role.” Robertson has been impressed with
returned from his first ‘tour of “We have met with a broad the initiatives launched by trade
duty’ of the BRC estate. He has church of retailers and have set our union USDAW – namely the
seen representatives of the 30,000 crime agenda along the lines of the Freedom From Fear campaign
retailers who make up the priorities set by our membership’s which has catapulted violent crime
membership and represent 85 per loss prevention people.” and verbal assault right into the
cent of the High Street. This Robertson says there is now a Government’s eye-line. He wants
equates to three million direct clear strategy, a timeline for getting the BRC to have that kind of impact
employees and £265 billion in Government engaged on the as it sets out its priority stall for
contribution to the UK economy, business crime agenda. 2008/09, of which there are four:
equivalent to eight per cent of GDP. “It is not a victimless crime. Retail Crime prevention and how to
As the new kid on the block, he crime does real damage to society. engage with the police and the
wanted to reach out to his broad There has been a 19 per cent local crime prevention initiatives is
church constituency to make sure increase in violent crime, a subject the first objective. Andy Pope of the
the BRC was representing their we are in discussions with the Home Co-op, a leading member of the
wider interests in all of its lobbying Office about. There is a large BRC, is working with forces and
activities, especially in the current majority of crime that is organised communities around the UK to
economic climate.
“I have gone out to see the CEOs
in my first year as part of my tour “RETAIL CRIME DOES REAL DAMAGE TO
of duty. It has covered the High
Street, the out of town stores, the
SOCIETY. THERE HAS BEEN A 19 PER
traditional retailers and the online
traders. I have found it is not so
CENT INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME, A
much a credit crunch they are
SUBJECT WE ARE IN DISCUSSIONS WITH
facing, but a loss crunch. As we go
through this economic downturn THE HOME OFFICE ABOUT”
16 • RETAIL FRAUD
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44
Produced with Yudu - www.yudu.com