Iceland boss offers job to man sacked by Waitrose for confronting shoplifter

A retail worker sacked from Waitrose for confronting a shoplifter has been offered a job by the boss of Iceland.

Walker Smith, 54, was dismissed by Waitrose two days after confronting a shoplifter who was attempting to steal a bag of Easter eggs, leading to a brief struggle before the shoplifter fled.

Lord Richard Walker, executive chairman of Iceland and the government’s cost-of-living champion, said in a LinkedIn post on Monday evening: “You’re welcome to a job with us. We even share the same name…” in response to an article detailing Mr Smith’s sacking.

Mr Smith, who had worked at the retailer’s Clapham Junction branch for 17 years, told the media he regretted his actions, but had been driven to intervene after watching thefts at the store “every hour of every day for the last five years” and not being allowed to do anything.

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It comes after shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Waitrose had acted “disgracefully” by sacking Mr Smith.

In a letter to Waitrose managing director Tom Denyard, posted on social media, Philp called for Mr Smith to be reinstated and paid a bonus “for his bravery and initiative”.

He said: “Staff safety must come first.

“But dismissing a long-serving employee in these circumstances sends entirely the wrong message. It penalises those who act, while offenders are left unchecked.”

The incident comes as shoplifting cases continue to increase, with offences increasing 5% in the year to September 2025, according to the latest figures.

Waitrose has said that the reporting of Mr Smith’s case, based on an interview with The Guardian, does not cover the “full facts of the situation”.

The supermarket chain also said the “safety and security” of their workers and customers is the reason they have policies in place to stop actions like those of Mr Smith.

Waitrose said it would not discuss Mr Smith’s case specifically, but added the “correct process” was followed, including an appeals procedure.