Retail leaders ask public to be patient with store workers
RETAIL chiefs have called on the public to remain kind and patient with all shop workers during the Christmas season.
The plea comes as abuse in the UK’s retail sector reaches some eye-watering levels, with a recent Usdaw survey finding that 69% of retail staff had experienced verbal abuse in the last 12 months, with 45% reporting they had been threatened by a customer as well.
As such, both Usdaw and the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) have called on members of the public to treat retail staff with kindness this festive season.
David Lonsdale, director of the SRC, said: “While this time of year can be a little stressful, any mistreatment of store colleagues and delivery drivers will not be tolerated.
“Confrontations, be it verbal abuse or physical assault, can take a huge toll on victims, their families and their colleagues.
“When everyone shows a little Christmas kindness and courtesy – everyone will be better off.”
This follows a recent worrying report from the Office for National Statistics, which found that shoplifting was at a record high in the UK.
According to the research body, 469,788 offences were logged by forces in the year to June 2024, marking a 29% increase on the previous 12 months.
Prompted by this study, the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has demanded tougher police action on retail crime after the body’s own survey revealed the toll that crime has taken on retail staff.
The Fed said 72% of respondents said their stores had experienced shoplifting, break-ins or damage to property, while 47% said they and their employees had been threatened or suffered abuse and violence when asking for proof of age.
Mo Razzaq, national president of the Fed, said: “From the responses we received, it is clear that real action is needed by police, by courts and by the Government to stem the overwhelming tide of crime against retailers and their staff.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe at work and for their businesses to be protected against criminals.”
