Currys rolls out VoCoVo headsets to staff to tackle shop crime

Currys will equip all staff across its 301 UK stores with VoCoVo headsets in an effort to address increasing levels of shoplifting and retail crime.

This measure comes after a successful trial in 20 selected outlets and forms part of a wider initiative to enhance both safety and communication in-store. The rollout of VoCoVo Series 5 Pro Headsets aims to ensure colleagues remain connected while mitigating risks associated with increasing incidents of theft and aggression towards retail workers.

By the end of the month, every UK and Ireland Currys employee on the shop floor will be issued a headset. These devices facilitate instant communication among staff, which the company believes will improve both security and customer service.

Call points are also being installed throughout Currys stores. Customers can use these to request help by pressing a button, which sends a notification directly to a colleague's headset. This is expected to reduce waiting times and enable staff to respond more efficiently to customer queries.

Matthew Speight, Director of UK Stores at Currys, said, "Incidents of shoplifting and aggression against retail workers are continuing to rise at a completely unacceptable level. VoCoVo's headsets, alongside a range of other store safety measures, are allowing us to put our best foot forward in protecting colleagues and customers from dangerous situations. We're excited to be rolling out the headsets to all our stores following positive feedback from the in-store trials."

The company has indicated the introduction of the headset system is in line with a broader approach to staff wellbeing, as well as improved operational efficiency in-store amid industry concerns about crime targeting retailers. The British Retail Consortium has reported a notable increase in abuse towards shop staff across the sector in recent years.

VoCoVo, a retail communications specialist, is providing the new equipment and technical support for the implementation. The Series 5 Pro Headsets have been deployed in over 20,000 stores globally and are widely used in other large retail businesses.

Olivia Robinson, Head of UK & EU Commercial Growth at VoCoVo, said, "Currys is one of the most recognisable UK retail brands, known for trading the best tech products. As a tech-first company ourselves, we share many values with Currys and are proud to announce this partnership. We have enjoyed a successful trial and look forward to continuing to support the full rollout and seeing the impact VoCoVo makes to Currys and its colleagues."

The broader investment in security measures comes as part of Currys' ongoing response to the challenges facing retailers across the UK. The adoption of VoCoVo's technology is viewed as a crucial step in maintaining a focus on employee protection and operational resilience, while also prioritising the customer experience.

Currys operates 301 stores across the UK and Ireland, employing approximately 24,000 colleagues group-wide. The company has also outlined further interventions in sustainability and technology repair, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. The roll-out of headsets marks its largest single investment in staff safety and wellbeing to date.