Shop workers report rise in customer abuse, Retail Trust says

The cost of living crisis has reportedly led to a rise in the number of retail staff facing abuse from customers, according to ITV news.

In figures shared by the Retail Trust, it reported that 70% of retail workers had said that abuse had “gotten worse” in the past two years. Meanwhile, 71% of shoppers admitted to losing their temper at staff in a survey of 2,000 customers. Some 62% said they were frustrated by rising prices.

Jo Causon from the Institute of Customer Service said more than 40% of people they’d talked to were considering leaving the industry.

Back in June new laws were brought in to increase punishments for people abusive towards retail staff.

Speaking to ITV News, shopkeeper Paul Cheema, said: “We’re governed by the prices that are coming in but there’s no need to take the anger out on the people working in the store because it’s beyond their control as well.”