Go Outdoors to trial bodycams to protect store staff

Go Outdoors has begun trialling bodycams at its Stoke store in a bid to keep its colleagues safe at work and prevent theft. 

The news comes after the group announced its partnership with the Retail Trust, the charity that works to protect the lives of retail staff.

The British Retail Consortium warned in January that retail crime is “out of control” after its Annual Crime Survey figures revealed that losses from customer theft reached a record £2.2bn in 2023/24.

As a result, Go Outdoors stated that it is committed to testing and implementing solutions that will foster a “safer shopping experience for staff and customers”. 

The results of the trial will be used  to inform future decisions on the use of the technology at the company’s locations across the UK.

Claire Cowie, store manager, said: “Body cameras have been a game-changer. They’ve not only deterred theft but also increased confidence amongst staff that they are safe when they come to work.

“The added layer of protection had been well received by our customers. It’s brought a new level of trust and transparency to our store. Crucially, the business has been proactive in equipping us with these tools, enabling us to react swiftly and effectively to the concerning increase in retail crime we’ve faced.”