Why Waitrose has become a hotspot for criminal gangs

The Champagne gang thrived in the post-Covid years, as supply shortages across Europe led to a thriving black market in sparkling wine, which retains its value across different markets and is difficult to trace from bottle to bottle. According to NBCS, most of their loot was resold in Romania.

This increasing level of criminal organization can be seen across many different retailers, but Bailey is the leader who has most publicly voiced his concerns.

Given the scale of the crisis, its supermarkets have resorted to offering free tea and coffee to police officers on duty to deter shoplifters. The John Lewis Partnership, which includes Waitrose, introduced the policy last year. The brand told the Police Federation that only reusable cups could be used by officers.

Waitrose has also trialled so-called “love bombing” practices – where staff pay extra attention to customers, asking them if they need help at self-service checkouts, for example – to deter the gangs.

“It is clear that shoplifting is committed by individuals and groups, some more organized than others,” said Lucy Brown, head of central operations at the John Lewis Partnership. “Our priority is the safety of our partners and customers – and we continue to take steps to address this issue.”

Earlier this year, Brown claimed that the primary motive for shoplifting had changed to “greed rather than need.” During the pandemic and the resulting cost of living crisis, it was assumed that most shoplifting was due to an increasing lack of food or money. No longer.

“Shoplifting and retail crime are a growing problem across the industry. We wanted to see the cumulative effect of doing more than one thing [to combat this]” she said. “There is a depressing narrative around the cost of living; that this is why the shoplifting is happening. I don’t see that. I absolutely describe it as greed that doesn’t need it. There are a lot of people who shoplift for as many hours a week as I work, which is a lot. It’s basically her job.”

“Another big problem – which is new – is organized criminal gangs,” Brown added. “They will target subway routes and road networks and steal to order.” Of particular interest are alcohol, designer perfume and wearable technology such as electric toothbrushes. All are valuable, difficult to trace and easy to resell on the black market.

The role of organized crime is a growing part of a broader epidemic of shoplifting. According to the Office for National Statistics, more than 430,000 shopliftings were recorded in 2023, the highest number since records began two decades ago. Dame Sharon White, the former chair of John Lewis, said it was “no exaggeration” to describe shoplifting as an epidemic.