Dutch retailer Coop has taken the step to remove ATMs from its store portfolio, due to an increased number of 'ram raids' and robberies at stores in the Netherlands.
Coop said that the increased number of ATMs in supermarkets is reflective of the closure of several bank branches, however increased crime has led the retailer to urge all its retailers to remove ATM services from their outlets.
'Unpredictable Risk'
"Although we have [introduced] this service for our customers, [...] money supply should primarily lie with banks while supermarkets are mainly there for groceries," commented Gerard Koning, commercial director at Coop.
"Cash dispensers in supermarkets present an increasing and unpredictable risk of ram raids and robberies in today's society. That is the reality of today. For security reasons, we are unfortunately forced to remove ATMs from our stores."
Koning added that as a cooperative, the business "feels responsible" for the safety of its employees and customers.
"We think it's important to offer good services, but safety is always paramount," he said, encouraging the group's independent entrepreneurs to follow the group's 'urgent advice' and remove ATMs from stores.
Store Network
Coop operates around 250 outlets across the Netherlands, of which 120 are company managed.
The retailer isn't the first retailer to remove ATMs from its outlets, with Jumbo earlier this year announcing that it would be removing the service from 170 of its 400 stores. However, Albert Heijn has thus far not followed suite, according to web portal www.ad.nl.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
