#ShopKind – New campaign to highlight retail abuse and violence

Retailers, trade bodies, the Home Office and Crimestoppers have joined forces to launch a new campaign urging the public to ShopKind.

The #ShopKind campaign focuses on the abuse and violence towards shop workers and calls on the public to be mindful of retail staff’s work over the past year and treat them with respect, kindness and gratitude.

According to the Association of Convenience Stores’ 2021 Crime Report there has been more than 1.2 million incidents of verbal abuse over the past year, and around 40,000 incidents of violence against people working in convenience stores. Of these, more than a quarter involved a weapon, such as a knife, hammer, axe, or syringe.

The report also found that two-thirds of retailers (65%) had experienced Covid-19 related threats, with the most common causes of abuse being: reminding customers to wear face coverings, reminding customers of social distancing measures and queueing outside stores.

The campaign is backed by the Home Office and supported by major high street retailers as well as independent shopkeepers, and Usdaw. The #ShopKind campaign will be visible across high streets and social media from today.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Throughout the pandemic, shop staff have been the lifeline for many in our communities, and I am grateful for their vital service.

“Violence and abuse towards shop workers is utterly despicable and unacceptable, everyone has the right to feel safe at work. As the daughter of shopkeepers, I fully support ShopKind, a reminder to customers to consider their behaviour towards shop staff, and I would encourage all retailers to fully support it.”

The campaign is being backed by the entire retail industry.

Chief executive at the Association of Convenience Stores James Lowman said: “Convenience stores have been open throughout the pandemic, keeping communities going and being first to adapt to keep customers and colleagues safe through Covid secure measures. While the majority of customers have been incredibly supportive and embody the messages of the ShopKind campaign, there are still too many people being abusive and violent to retailers and their colleagues. We fully support ShopKind, which serves as an important reminder of the essential work that convenience stores have done over the last year and continue to do to as the rest of retail reopens.”

Co-op’s director of campaigns and public affairs Paul Gerrard said: “No one should have to face violence and abuse just for doing their job, and nothing is more important to us than the safety and wellbeing of shopworkers who work tirelessly within communities – they deserve thanks, not abuse, threats and violence. They also deserve for the law to better protect them as they go about their daily working lives. It does now in Scotland, but not in the rest of the United Kingdom and so we continue to call for Government to show that it is listening and to send out a clear message that anti-social behaviour and attacks on shopworkers is not acceptable.”