ACS has outlined its support for Respect for Shopworkers Week, which aims to raise awareness about the violence and abuse faced by retailers and convenience colleagues.
Interim results from over 3,000 retail staff responses show that in the last twelve months (change from last year):
- 71% (-6) have experienced verbal abuse.
- 48% (-5) were threatened by a customer.
- 9% (-1) were assaulted.
The annual Respect Week runs from 10-16 November, with Usdaw members raising awareness of the union’s year-round ‘Freedom from Fear’ campaign and talking to the public to promote a message of ‘respect for retail workers’.
This year, the ACS Crime Report found that there have been 6.2 million incidents of shop theft recorded, and have had to spend £265m in crime prevention measures such as CCTV, security staff, and internal communication systems, resulting in a 10p ‘crime tax’ on every transaction that takes place in every store across the UK.
The report shows that theft is one of the biggest triggers for abuse, along with other responsibilities of shopworkers to uphold the law, such as preventing age restricted sales. Retailers report that there have been over 59,000 incidents of violence against them and their colleagues over the last year.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We strongly support Respect for Shopworkers Week, as well as the work that Usdaw does to raise awareness about abuse towards shopworkers. Shop theft and abuse has unfortunately been an ongoing issue for our members, who are consistently reporting that they are being affected by retail crime on a daily basis.
“We will continue to work with the Government and police to tackle these issues directly, but we also encourage everyone to raise awareness and work together to ensure that these perpetrators are taken out of the cycle of reoffending, and shopworkers receive the kindness that they deserve as they continue to do good work in their communities.”
Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “This year’s annual survey interim results show a welcome, but slight, downturn in the level of incidents retail workers are experiencing while doing their jobs. However, it remains shocking that nearly three-quarters of those working in retail are regularly facing abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence.
“In the last twelve months, the Government has invested in policing, with specific projects to tackle retail crime, and that appears to be having an effect. We welcomed this summer’s town centre crime blitz in over 600 locations, and that it will be repeated this winter. We know that it will take time to turn around 14 years of Conservative police cuts, and the scale of the problem means we also need legislation.
“So we welcome Labour’s Crime and Policing Bill. This new legislation will deliver a much-needed protection of retail workers’ law; end the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has effectively become an open invitation to retail criminals; along with Criminal Behaviour Orders. The Chancellor announced funding to tackle the organised criminals responsible for the increase in shoplifting and the Government has promised more uniformed officer patrols in shopping areas. It is our hope that these new measures will continue a downward trend in incidents."
More detail about Respect for Shopworkers Week 2025 can be found here
