Usdaw and the BRC jointly remember the retail staff who worked day in, day out

Paddy Lillis and Helen Dickinson write: “It is hard to believe that only five years has passed since we were all told to stay at home, to socially distance and to avoid all unnecessary contact with friends and coworkers. Yet, the impact of the pandemic on people, on businesses, and on our country as a whole is still being felt today.

“Retail found itself at the heart of the crisis that struck in March 2020. It began with panic-buying in the shops, followed by the lockdown and forced closure of ‘non-essential retail’. Soon after, we began to see supply chains stretched by a dizzying array of new regulations and restrictions. 

“Even as lockdowns eased, we faced challenges to supply chains from the ‘pingdemic’, and staff shortages as many foreign workers returned home. Suffice to say, business was challenging.

“The retail industry responded to each challenge as it came, rapidly expanding online delivery capacity, putting in place social distancing measures, and training vast numbers of HGV drivers to ensure the ongoing supply of goods into the country. Any one of these would have been a major undertaking on its own. 

“Home delivery operations ensured that those who could not attend physical premises were still able to get the goods they needed, and we were all able to get the goods we wanted. Online capacity was scaled up at breakneck speed, adding years of growth in just a matter of months. This required a major feat of transformation as logistics improved, websites enhanced, delivery fleets expanded, and staff retrained.

“The real heroes were the countless colleagues who travelled to work day in, day out at the height of the pandemic to ensure that every one of us had access to the essential goods we needed.

“Whether they were stacking shelves in a supermarket, working in a warehouse, or delivering supplies to vulnerable customers, they kept the UK going. And they did so in the face of adversity, putting themselves at risk of the virus while most of us were being told to stay at home. They did so despite the surge in violence and abuse caused by fears of stock shortages and their sudden role in policing the Government’s face-mask mandates and social-distancing rules. 

“Five years on, we continue to owe a debt of gratitude to these people. So, how can we show that? 

“Firstly, retail workers need better protection in law against violence and abuse. The BRC, Usdaw, Retail Trust and others have long campaigned for a standalone offence for abusing, threatening or assaulting a retail worker. We are happy to see the new government cement a standalone offence into law as part of the Crime and Policing Bill, but it is vital that this law covers all types of threats, abuse and violence.

“Any offence must also ensure all customer-facing roles are covered, including delivery drivers, who often find themselves at risk just for delivering the things we want and need. 

“Secondly, we need to continue to encourage shoppers to treat staff with respect. Usdaw will once again run its Respect for Retail Workers Week later this year. The aim is to remind customers about the importance of being considerate to retail workers and each other. As we have highlighted, it feels like only yesterday where our staff were taking risks to ensure the nation had access to the goods we wanted and needed, and we remained fed during the pandemic. The least we can all do is treat retail workers with respect.

“Usdaw and the BRC worked closely together during the pandemic to ensure that retailers, retail workers and customers remained safe. We are proud to continue this work when tackling the threats, abuse and violence which is currently far too prevalent across the sector. 

“But, as we mark the five-year anniversary of that very first lockdown, we express our gratitude and thanks for the contribution and sacrifice the people in the industry made then, and continue to make today.”