Tomorrow's Business Today
Shoplifting – A leading economic indicator
Supermarkets (and retail hacks) love a like-for-like sales figure.
Like-for-like shoplifting figures are sadly underreported.
I think they should become a staple of all retail RNSs from here on.
We’ll know the economy is getting better if Tesco reports a plunge in like-for-like shelve-stealing/till thieving.
An anecdote only:
The Lidl near me attracts a mixed crowd. Middle class journalists looking for a cheap dinner. And crack heads pinching foil and whatever else they can get their hands on.
Until lately the plainly understaffed shop had one security guard, straight out of Dad’s Army central casting.
He’s a nice guy, but he ain’t catching me, never mind the highly motivated crack heads.
Yesterday he had a mate. Lance Corporal Jones to his Captain Mainwaring.
Why, I asked. “Shoplifting,” he says. “Up 30% this year.”
Let’s assume that isn’t unique to discount supermarkets, it is across the board.
Supermarket flaks say attacks against staff are also up, presumably that’s connected to people being and feeling desperate.
The British Retail Consortium wants to make violence against shop staff a crime in and of itself. No joy so far.
So shops are having to invest more in security guards and body cameras for staff on the front line.
This is depressing. But also a PR problem for the grocers. Why can’t they protect their staff?
And someone should do that shoplifting index. It would be a leading economic indicator.
Press release of the day
What are the most commonly used business buzzwords and which are the most annoying?
This from Preply has the answers and is enjoyable.
The most annoying include “circle back”, “win-win” and “think outside the box”.
There is something wrong with the people who use those words with sincerity.
Stories that will keep rolling
1) Does Tim Martin want a government bailout for pubs? Wouldn’t this, erm, rather conflict with his usual views on government intervention?
2) How does Superdry’s Julian Dunkerton’s overhaul of the business look?
3) Is the coal industry back in fashion?
4) Are there signs of recession in the US job figures?
