Scottish Retail Consortium chairman Eddie Thompson told a conference in Dundee today the organisation’s latest survey will show there is no improvement in the retail crime problem, despite the issue having been highlighted for some time.

Speaking shortly before today’s Morning, Noon & Night annual conference at the Apex City Quay Hotel, Mr Thompson, founder and chairman of the 48-store chain, told the Evening Telegraph that although the full details of the SRC survey will not be released until October, he was able to say it would show retail crime was still on the increase.

“The situation is worse and it’s the small retailer who is suffering the most,” said Mr Thompson.

“Retail crime is rife, particularly for smaller stores. Criminals think we’re an easy target.”

Mr Thompson said the whole retail sector was affected by a problem which was costing millions upon millions each year in lost revenues.

Major stores were also affected by crime, but the SRC survey would show incidents of violence and threats towards staff in smaller convenience outlets, which were open late into the evening were continuing to rise.

“It is clearly a worrying situation,” added Mr Thompson.

Twelve-year-old company Morning, Noon & Night has been staging conferences for a number of years at different venues in Scotland and this year’s event focused on suppliers.

Some 150 delegates from across the UK attended.

Apart from representatives from major suppliers, MN&N store managers, senior management and directors from the company were also present.

The conference was covering a variety of different aspects of retailing and how the sector is likely to develop over the next few years — including in relation to investment in personnel, information technology and other areas.

“I think personally that the most important area as far as investment is concerned is people,” said Mr Thompson.

“Without the right people our company would not be where it is today.”

MN&N is on the verge of announcing the acquisition of its 49th outlet in Scotland and is also expected to reach the 50-store milestone before too much longer.

The conference was also given details of a sophisticated new “intranet” communication network MN&N is about to introduce throughout the company.

The £300,000 investment will see the company stores and head office linked by an electronic communication system, which will allow speedy and secure communication throughout the company on a variety of different aspects of the company’s operations from staff training and administration to health and safety matters.

The system will be introduced through a five-stage programme and is expected to go live next February.