The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, Oct. 31, edition that some of B.C.'s retail giants have formed a new coalition to press all levels of government to do more to stop the rampant shoplifting they say is a threat to their bottom lines and their employees' safety. The Globe's Mike Hager writes that London Drugs chief operating officer Clint Mahlman told a news conference in Vancouver on Monday the Save Our Streets group is aimed at raising the alarm at the "epidemic proportions" of violence, vandalism and theft. Mr. Mahlman said federal crime data show thefts of goods from store shelves spiked 30 per cent last year. The group also includes representatives from Lululemon and Aritzia, and the Save-On-Foods grocery conglomerate. Mr. Mahlman could not provide data on assaults on his staff, but a London Drugs representative told two experts contracted by the province last year that in 2017, there were 24 cases of assaults on staff and that this number grew to 99 in 2019. A representative from London Drug said over one month last year there had been 56 cases at their stores involving violence. The Save Our Streets group estimated added security is also costing its members millions.