More than half of shopworkers are being abused or attacked every week, up from 33% two years ago, new data shows.
Resarch by Retail Trust found 79% of shopworkers had faced an abusive or violent situation in the past year, compared with 77% in 2025. More than half (54%) are now targeted weekly, according to the findings, up from 43% last year and 33% in 2024.
Almost one in four have experienced abuse involving a physical attack, such as being kicked or hit, according to the charity.
Shoplifting also continues to blight the sector, with 84% of retailer workers saying they have witnessed shoplifting in the past year. More than a third (35%) witness shoplifting every day.
There has also been a rise in the number of shop staff who said they or a colleague had been filmed without consent by mobile phones or smart glasses, from 30% to 38% in a year.
Comments from retailers and shopworkers have spelt out the seriousness of the abuse, including “I had to have stitches on the back of my head”; “I was hit three times during a shift’; and “a video of me was shared online”.
Retail Trust’s survey, which covered 1,138 shopworkers, has also highlighted the detrimental impact these crimes are having on shopworkers’ mental health.
It found 70% of those affected by abuse felt stressed or anxious about going to work, 36% felt unsafe at work, and 21% felt unsafe travelling to or from their workplace.
Almost half said the worsening abuse had made them want to quit their job or leave the retail industry altogether, up from 43% in 2025.
More than two-thirds (68%) of shopworkers also said dealing with abusive customers had become “part of their job”.
However, 83% of retail employees also said just one positive interaction with a customer during their shift could help them recover from a negative experience.
The Retail Trust is now urging shoppers to show greater kindness and respect to shopworkers as part of a major drive to tackle worsening levels of abuse ahead of the Christmas shopping surge.
It marks part of its Let’s Respect Retail campaign, which is running alongside ACS’s ShopKind, Usdaw’s Respect for Shopworkers Week, and the National Business Crime Centre’s Safer Business Action Week from today until 15 November.
The joint national week of action to tackle retail crime, backed by policing minister Sarah Jones, is the first time the retail sector and police have united in four national campaigns concurrently.
ACS’s ShopKind campaign will be promoted through national and trade media, with updated materials for stores and social media, while Usdaw’s Respect for Shopworkers Week is encouraging shoppers to “Keep Your Cool” and for workers to “Report It – Sort It”.
NBCC is launching its Safer Business Action Week, which encourages police forces and businesses to work together, to help target prolific offenders, share intelligence on crime hotspots, and improve incident reporting. Twenty forces have confirmed participation so far.
“Bringing all four campaigns together for the first time means we can reach more businesses, hear directly from shopworkers and turn that shared commitment into local action,” said superintendent Lisa Maslen, national business crime centre lead.
“With 20 police forces already signed up, preparations are gathering pace. Alongside our partners’ work in stores and communities, policing will focus on preventing crime, sharing intelligence and targeting the offenders causing the greatest harm.”
Retail Trust CEO Chris Brook-Carter said: “We all have a role to play in making our shops safer, kinder and more respectful places to work and visit, and we’ll be calling on shoppers to treat retail workers with courtesy and respect while urging retailers to make sure their people receive the protection and support they need.”
Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas said: “I’m excited about the industry coming together next week to highlight the scourge of retail crime and attacks on staff. This joint week of campaigning with the NBCC, ACS and Retail Trust will ensure that our collective message is spread far and wide.
“Retail crime remains at epidemic levels with over half a million shop theft incidents recorded. This is not a victimless crime. Persistent offences cause both physical and psychological harm to workers on the frontline. By working in partnership, we can turn the tide on shop theft and give retail staff the safe working environment they deserve.”
ACS CEO Ed Woodall said: “We are delighted at the support for the ShopKind campaign shown in thousands of shops across the UK and believe that bringing ShopKind Week together with leading awareness campaigns from shopworkers union Usdaw, the Retail Trust and the National Business Crime Centre, sends a clear united message that colleagues shouldn’t have to face abuse, that the businesses they work for will report incidents, and that the police will respond effectively.”
Jones added: “Retail workers are the backbone of our high streets, and no one should face abuse, threats or violence simply for doing their job.
“I am proud to support this national week of action, which brings together retailers, police and local partners to tackle the abuse, theft and antisocial behaviour that affects communities across the country.
“Shop theft is finally falling and there are thousands more neighbourhood police on our streets. But we won’t stop there. We are clear that retail crime is not minor and those responsible will be held accountable.”
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