Scotmid Coop’s Leven Street store in Edinburgh has been recognised as the Crime Prevention Retailer of the Year at The Convenience Awards 2025, for its proactive and innovative approach to tackling retail crime.
Faced with rising levels of theft, particularly of spirits, Scotmid took decisive action to protect its staff, customers, and business. Spirits were relocated behind the kiosk to mitigate theft risks, but to maintain customer convenience, the store introduced pictorial sleeves on the original shelves, allowing shoppers to browse the full range.
This strategic move led to a 40% reduction in spirit theft over 12 months, without impacting sales. Due to its success, this initiative has since been rolled out to other stores facing similar challenges.
Beyond product security, Scotmid has invested in cutting-edge crime prevention measures, including:
- Online incident reporting – enabling staff to log thefts, attempted thefts, and antisocial behaviour directly to the Scotmid Security Support Team for immediate action.
- Intelligence-driven Security Support Team – a dedicated unit that analyses incident reports, liaises with law enforcement, and prioritises security efforts based on real-time data.
- Body-worn cameras – introduced in higher-risk stores, resulting in a 10% reduction in violent incidents and acting as a deterrent against repeat offenders.
- Advanced CCTV analytics – being developed to identify suspicious activity in real-time and integrate with Scotmid’s central monitoring system, enhancing staff response capabilities.
Debbie MacDonald, Lead Profit Protection Manager at Scotmid, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this award, which reflects the dedication of our teams in making our stores safer.
“By implementing smart, intelligence-led security measures, we have not only reduced crime but also created a safer environment for colleagues and customers. We remain committed to enhancing our crime prevention strategies to stay ahead of emerging threats.”