This is the best summary I could come up with:

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Dame Sharon, chairwoman of the John Lewis Partnership - which also owns Waitrose, said that some areas had become “shells of their former selves” due to violent attacks and repeated offenders “causing havoc” in shops.

Tesco is also offering all of its staff body cameras due to the risk in physical assaults and theft, while the managing director of Iceland, Richard Walker, wrote in a social media post on Monday that the chain was spending “more than ever” on security as “serious incidents” have never been higher.

The BRC has previously told the BBC that these high level of theft cost retailers almost £1bn in the 2021 financial year, “money that would be better used to reduce prices and invest in a better customer experience”.

Dame Sharon said the UK needs a comprehensive plan to stop organised gangs, and called for Scottish legislation that makes the abuse of a retail worker an offence to be brought in nationwide.

Retailers have highlighted increased competition from online shopping, and high levels of business rates - which apply to commercial properties, as issues holding back physical stores in city centre locations.

She said there needed to be a “holistic view” of these problems, with input from government, academics and the industry, rather than individually investigating issues such as tax, crime, planning, housing, and environmental policy.

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The original article contains 744 words, the summary contains 222 words. Saved 70%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!