The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has urged the public to stand together against violence and abuse towards retail workers this Christmas.
Recent figures from BRC’s recent crime survey revealed that incidents of abuse and violence have surged to 1,300 every single day.
The plea comes ahead of the busy shopping period beginning with Black Friday.
The trade body has stressed the importance of ensuring a safe environment in the run up to Christmas for everyone working in stores, delivering goods and in customer service centres.
Retail workers are extra busy keeping shelves stocked and ensuring products are delivered on time, but many face threats with weapons, physical assaults and racial slurs. Such incidents take severe tolls on the physical and mental health of victims.
The BRC has urged customers to remain patient, kind and considerate during this busy time.
Helen Dickinson chief executive of the BRC said: “While Christmas is an exceptionally busy time, any mistreatment of our colleagues will not be tolerated and we ask the public to stand with us in the fight against retail crime. Confrontations, be it verbal abuse or physical assault, can take a huge toll on victims, their families and their colleagues. Christmas is a time for everyone to enjoy.”
Paddy Lillis general secretary of Usdaw commented: “Usdaw activists are campaigning in their workplaces and communities calling on the shopping public to ‘respect shop workers’ and ‘keep your cool’, particularly in the run up to Christmas when the number of incidents increases as shops get busy and customers become frustrated. This is a hugely important issue for our members, and they are saying loud and clear that enough is enough.”
Chris Brook-Carter chief executive of Retail Trust said the charity sees a rise in the number of people calling it’s helpline every Christmas as stores get busier and shoppers take out their frustrations on staff: ”Shop workers tell us they have products thrown at them and smashed up in front of them while those delivering orders get doors slammed in their faces and objects hurled in their direction. This completely unacceptable behaviour will leave many with no option but to consider leaving their jobs in the new year due to the understandable toll it takes on their physical and mental health.”
The Retail Trust is currently running free training this month to provide retail workers with new skills to manage and deal with any difficult situations this Christmas.
“A little bit more patience and kindness will go a long way in making the Christmas shopping experience more enjoyable for everyone,” added Brook-Carter.
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