Kiwi retailer counters increase in ram-raids.

 

The Warehouse Group, which owns the Warehouse Stationery chain, is adding bollards, smoke cannons, extra cameras and security in response to a rise in ram-raids on retail stores.

 

“This year has seen a significant increase in the number of retail store ram-raids, particularly in Auckland, and our business has been no exception,” group chairperson Joan Withers told the company’s annual meeting last Friday.

 

“Ram-raids not only cause damage to our stores, resulting in financial loss through store repairs and loss of product, but they have a severe impact on the mental wellbeing of our people and their ability to feel safe at work,” she said.

 

The company is working with a dedicated police retail squad and is focused on deploying deterrents and mitigation measures in and around its stores such as increased bollards, smoke cannons, extra cameras and security, Withers said.

 

The retail group includes 88 The Warehouse stores, 68 Noel Leeming stores, 68 Warehouse Stationery stores and 24 Torpedo7 stores.

 

All the company’s brands have had stores impacted by retail crime over the last financial year, a spokesperson said.