‘Let The Theft Happen’: Lululemon CEO Defends Firing Staff After Shoplifters Hit Retailer
Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald is defending the corporate’s resolution to fireside two Georgia staff after shoplifters struck the Atlanta-area retailer they labored in, saying the 2 girls didn’t observe firm coverage.
“We now have a zero-tolerance coverage that we prepare our educators on round participating throughout a theft,” McDonald defined Friday to CNBC’s “Squawk on the Avenue” host Sara Eisen.“In the long run, they’re educated to step again, let the theft happen, know that there’s expertise and there’s cameras and we’re working with regulation enforcement,” he continued.
“The [employees] knowingly broke the coverage, engaged with the thieves…that was what resulted within the termination.”
Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald on backlash after firing workers who intervened in retailer theft.@CNBC @SaraEisen $LULU pic.twitter.com/mBMZCJ1E3l
— Squawk on the Avenue (@SquawkStreet) June 2, 2023
Assistant supervisor Jennifer Ferguson and key chief Rachel Rogers have been working on the Peachtree Corners Lululemon store when masked males carrying hoodies entered the shop and took armfuls of merchandise, 11 Alive reported. Rogers caught the incident on digital camera. Each girls may be heard vocally protesting the brazen theft within the footage. Afterwards. Ferguson and Rogers known as the police, however have been later terminated by Lululemon for failing to abide by firm coverage, the outlet acknowledged. McDonald additionally mentioned that the staff adopted the thieves out of the shop.
“It wasn’t very clear. They didn’t give particular reasoning apart from simply saying they’ve a ‘no-tolerance coverage,’” Rogers instructed 11 Alive, a sentiment echoed by Ferguson who instructed the outlet she was “terminated instantly with no severance.”
“We’re not alleged to get in the best way. You form of clear a path for no matter they’re going to do,” Ferguson acknowledged to 11 Alive. “After which, after it’s over, you scan a QR code. And that’s that. We’ve been instructed to not put it in any notes, as a result of which may scare different individuals. We’re not alleged to name the police, not likely supposed to speak about it.”
McDonald defined that stand down coverage is in place to maintain staff and clients secure, including that whereas retail theft is an issue, “It’s solely merchandise.”(RELATED: Group Of Roaming Thieves Swipe $17K In Yoga Pants)
“We take that coverage significantly as a result of we’ve got had cases — and we’ve got seen with different retailers, cases — the place staff step in and are harm, or worse, killed. And the coverage is to guard them. However we’ve got to face behind the coverage to implement it,” McDonald instructed Eisen.
