With the holiday shopping season upon us, retail facilities are bound to get super busy. But are retailers doing enough to ensure their workers feel safe?
According to new research conducted by the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) and in partnership with Verkada, more than half (52%) of retail workers say they are likely to leave their current job in the next 12 months due to personal safety concerns.
The State of Retail Safety report reveals an alarming escalation in workplace violence from 2024, as well as offers insight into solutions that can help protect retail workers, consumers, and inventory without escalating tensions. Key findings include:
Safety concerns on the job escalate, corresponding with material increase in reports of violence. More than one in three (35%) retail workers reported feeling unsafe at work, up from 27% in 2024. Reports of physical assault increased 22% year-over-year, while aggressive behavior from past employees and current coworkers jumped 28% and 26%, respectively. Nearly 40% of workers worry about theft and verbal harassment most or every time they go to work.
Violence threatens retention in an industry that already faces high turnover. One in four retail workers (25%) report they’ve thought about looking for a new job due to personal safety concerns, up from 19% last year. Those who experienced violent incidents are even more likely to leave: 53% say they have considered new opportunities. Men, who are experiencing workplace violence at notably higher rates than women, are also significantly more likely to quit over safety concerns in the next year (63% vs. 39% of women). Store managers are feeling the impact of this retention challenge: Nearly half (49%) report that safety concerns are a barrier to hiring, up significantly from 37% in 2024.
Locked cabinets create friction on both sides of the counter. Nearly half (46%) of retail workers say physical theft prevention tools like locked cabinets and checkout gates are more disruptive than effective, and 59% report they reduce their efficiency on-the-job. Customers agree: 60% of U.S. adults say physical theft prevention tools are more disruptive to the shopping experience than they are effective at deterring crime, and 74% say certain theft-prevention measures make them less likely to shop in-store. Retail workers in stores with these measures in place report higher rates of violence across every category measured, revealing an uncomfortable reality: Customer frustration from these barriers may be fueling confrontations, as retail workers report 54% of verbal threats stem from angry customers.
“Retail remains a critical cornerstone of the American economy, contributing $5.3 trillion annually to GDP and supporting more than one in four jobs,” said Read Hayes, executive director of the LPRC. “Nothing is more important than protecting the frontline retail associates who power this economic engine.”
“Everyone deserves to feel safe, but our research shows that more than one in three retail workers has felt the opposite,” said Alana O’Grady Lauk, vice president of public affairs at Verkada. “With the busiest shopping season around the corner, millions of retail workers will experience increased foot traffic, longer hours, and rushed shoppers. This data gives retailers a clear roadmap to protect their teams when it matters most—and the urgency to act on it now.”
The full report is available here.
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