The Welsh Government statement reads: “The retail sector is a core part of our foundational economy, employing around 120,000 people in Wales (2023) and providing a local and convenient shopping experience for Welsh consumers in communities across the nation. Together with hospitality, retailer environments provide a place for people to meet, serve our basic needs with the provision of essential items and - particularly at this time of year - supply the gifts and experiences we may purchase for loved ones that help make the Christmas season special.
“The Welsh Government values our established social partnership arrangements between retailers, unions and government. Rising levels of retail crime have been a regular discussion point at our Retail Forum and highlighted when Ministers recently attended an Usdaw drop-in event hosted in the Senedd. In addition, a recent survey by the shopworkers’ union Usdaw revealed that over a twelve-month period almost half of shopworkers had been threatened, and around 7 in 10 had experienced verbal abuse, with the majority of incidents attributed to theft from shops.
“The Welsh Government is committed to fair work practices for all workers in Wales and we recognise the seasonal pressures on retail as people across Wales prepare for Christmas. This is especially the case in a customer-focussed industry where face-to-face engagement between shoppers and retail workers is commonplace. Retail needs customers to thrive, and it is retail workers who serve, sell and supply their goods and services to customers.
“As we approach Christmas, the Welsh Government is fully supporting a joint campaign by the Welsh Retail Consortium and Usdaw encouraging customers to be kind to shopworkers. The joint campaign is a demonstration of our social partnership way of working in Wales, and it shows the value of the relationships that have been strengthened through our Retail Forum. Everyone deserves respect, courtesy and to be safe from violence and abuse.
“The Welsh Government and our partners on the Retail Forum are working closely with the Police and Crime Commissioners and Welsh police forces to ensure our shopworkers are safe at work, and able to serve Welsh consumers, free from fear over Christmas and into the New Year.”
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary says: “We very much welcome this statement from the Welsh Government and their recognition that abuse of retail workers is totally unacceptable. Seven in ten of our members were abused, threatened or attacked in the last twelve months, and the situation can be much worse in the run-up to Christmas.
“When stores are busy, customers can get frustrated with queues and stock quickly disappearing off the shelves; too often that can turn into anger towards retail workers. Our Christmas message to shoppers is clear. Enjoy your shopping experience, keep your cool and respect retail workers.”
Welsh voices from the frontline: These are some of the comments Welsh shop workers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
- “Refused sale of alcohol, told to ‘f**k off’ and threatened by five people that I'd get beaten up when my shift finished.”
- “Aggressive tones and comments, swearing, shouting. Someone once called me a dumb c**t.”
- “Spat at, pushed against wall. Punched and threatened with knife.”
- “Been punched in the face, kicked under my chin and had stitches. Wrist sprained and products thrown at me which knocked me to the floor.”
- “Rose plant thrown at me and threatened to be stabbed.”
- “Refused to sell alcohol to customer who then threw items at me.”
- “Shoplifters just laugh in our faces as they leave with bags full of washing powder. They don't care anymore because they know we can't do anything.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
Interim results of the Usdaw’s 2024 survey, based on 4,073 responses, show that: 69% were verbally abused, 45% were threatened. 17% of shop workers had been assaulted. Of those who were abused, threatened or assaulted, 70% said that shoplifting was the trigger, and their assessment of the underlying issues was 64% related to a drug and/or alcohol addiction. The final results of the survey will be published in March 2025.
Usdaw’s Freedom From Fear Campaign seeks to prevent violence, threats and abuse against workers by engaging the public, shop workers and the Government. www.usdaw.org.uk/Campaigns/Freedom-From-Fear
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on BlueSky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion