BWG Foods moves its training academy online

has many previous convictions,” remarks Buckley. “We’re not deterring these people from returning and committing crimes. Punishments, whether a fine or prison sentence, have to be applied and make the person re-consider their actions.” Retailers are hampered by data protection legislation, which prevents them from sharing information about known shoplifters. “There are unfair restrictions on retailers,” Buckley continues. “Every tool at our disposal should be used to prevent crime. If it doesn’t comply with GDPR, then we need to change the law to make it apply. GDPR should not protect criminals.” Jennings suggested the Irish state look to initiatives in other BWG Foods has continued to provide vital training and upskilling for its independent retailers through the Covid-19 pandemic by reimagining its pioneering employee professional development initiative, BWG Academy, to a wholly online training and education resource. The BWG Academy, which was officially launched in 2019 just before advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, was designedjurisdictions. In Belfast, a judge recently ordered a man who to provide a wide range of self-development and supportallegedly raided a Boots store to be barred from all its branches. programmes for the over 23,000 retail employees across A retail crime prevention scheme in the city prevents repeat Spar, Eurospar, Londis, Mace and XL store networks. Within offenders from entering shops in the city centre. weeks of the official launch, Ireland slid rapidly into anti-virus Retail crime is proving costly. According to the CSNA, 81% restrictions and, as it became ever clearer that uncertainty of their members invested in security in their stores within the surrounding the longevity of social distancing measures last 12 months, including CCTV (77%), staff training (50%), cash and that even more stringent restrictions were likely, the handling and storage (39%) and external security (32%). The costs need to transform BWG Foods’ educational programme was can be considerable: a fifth spent more than €20,000 on security embraced. and crime preventative measures in a year. Living up to its “Every year, the sophistication of the deterrent procedures billing as an innovator, in in the store - CCTV cameras, perimeter cameras, involvement of conjunction with Retail security staff, security monitoring companies - require significant Ireland Skillnet, BWG Foods investment,” said Buckley. “Retailers are constantly trying to developed a solution and ensure they have the most up-to-date systems in place.” training quickly pivoted to Despite heightened Covid restrictions, retail crime in a sophisticated eLearning convenience stores and supermarkets has not abated. platform, which facilitates “Unfortunately, our members have found that the usual type remote based selfof shoplifting has continued, particularly in second or third development programmes. lockdowns,” continued Buckley. “On top of that, retailers must From March 2020 to date, deal with aggressive and threatening behaviour by anti-maskers a significant 1,272 BWG and people who don’t want to comply with the rules.” retailers and their staff Vincent Jennings has noticed an increasing trend of people have received industrystealing to order. “People filling bags with high value product - recognised qualifications worth €12 or more - and walking out the door, with the goods from a series of courses and subsequently sold in markets and door to door. Expensive workshops run by the BWG washing up liquids are being resold for drug money.” Academy. Ultimately, insists the CSNA chief, this “petty crime” is a The five courses that were delivered are wholly online, bigger social issue that lawmakers and legislators must take self-paced and very appropriate to the current trading seriously. “People who start off shoplifting progress to other environment as a designated essential service provider. crimes,” he says. “Mountjoy [prison] is filled with people who started off shoplifting.” Buckley concurred: “People sometimes • Lead Worker Representative think that shoplifting • Retail Customer Service is a minor crime, but • Retail Digital Marketing shoplifting impacts • Retail Selling Skills all of us. If we don’t • Safety and Health at Work address and manage Vincent Jennings, CEO of the CSNA. it, we believe it leads to people getting engaged in criminality at a young age, then moving on to more significant types of crime.” Most importantly, retailers insist, the lawmakers need to acknowledge that shoplifting and abusing retail workers is a crime worthy of pursuing. “If politicians were intimidated while they were working,” said Jennings, “it wouldn’t be allowed to happen.” “Our retailers take their role as providers of an essential service to their communities very seriously and have continued to upskill throughout the Covid-19 pandemic by embracing our online curriculum,” noted Peter Donohoe, Chief People Officer, BWG Foods. “One of the advantages throughout this time is that they can complete their training in their own time and according to their own schedules, which are busier than ever due to the operating environment. We have worked closely with Retail Ireland Skillnet to provide their innovative and important courses to our vast network of over 1,000 stores and have been delighted with the response from our retailers and their employees.” BWG Academy will continue to operate courses and workshops on an online basis until such time as restrictions allow for a return to a more recognisable blend of online and in-person learning at the Academy’s dedicated, Dublin-based training and education centre.

Peter Donohoe, Chief People Officer, BWG Foods.