// Shoe shoppers have reported only being allowed to try on one shoe at a time at Office
// The footwear specialist has told all stores to “immediately cease this practice”
Shoppers at Office have claimed they have only been allowed to try on one shoe at a time, as shoplifting rises throughout the UK.
Customers have taken to social media to share their experiences visiting the shoe shops, with one describing the experience as “bleakness”.
However, the retailer assured Sky News this was not its policy, although it acknowledged a “few stores that periodically follow this procedure by exception”.
The footwear specialist said: “This is not our policy, and we have instructed all stores to immediately cease this practice.
“At Office/Offspring we aim to provide our customers with a great shopping experience, whether in-store or online.”
The retailer continued: “We listen to our customer feedback and regularly review and adapt our policies accordingly. It is customer feedback that helps us to improve.”
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Supermarket shoplifting cases have soared throughout the UK as a result of the cost of living crisis.
Incidents rose by 16% during the final three months of 2022, after food inflation reached a 45-year peak of 16.2% in October.
According to the British Retail Consortium, shoplifting incidents cost retailers £663m in 2020 to 2021.
In response to the problem, M&S and Co-op have limited the number of high-value items displayed on their shelves in an attempt to discourage stealing.
Meanwhile, Tesco has ramped up its security measures across stores late last year.
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