Majority of UK excessive avenue store staff abused as 10% admit being sufferer of vile act

The shocking treatment of Britain’s high street workers has been revealed. According to a new survey, around 80% of shop workers admit to being abused – with 10% of those admitting to having been spat on by unruly customers.

The Retail Trust surveyed 1,240 staff members across a two-week period earlier this year and found that 90% of store managers also faced abuse at work, while 98% of all those who said they had been abused confirmed that they were verbally so. Around 33% were threatened with violence, 14% physically assaulted and 10% spat on.

And shockingly, around three quarters (73%) said they feel unsafe as a result.

Chris Brook-Carter, the Retail Trust’s chief executive, said: “People tell us they have been spat on, had products smashed up in front of them and been filmed on their phones by abusive shoppers who then threaten to post the footage on social media.

“Thousands are contacting us to say they’re now being forced to consider leaving a job they love and often have worked in for many years because they no longer feel safe there.”

To combat this free training to all high street staff is now being offered by the Retail Trust, which will be funded in part by H&M’s bag donation scheme.

Henrik Nordvall, CEO of H&M UK & Ireland, said: “Every person has the right to feel safe in their workplace, and it is incredibly disheartening to hear the figures released today by the Retail Trust, that paint a picture of what retail workers across the country face on a daily basis.

“The retail industry employs 20% of the UK working population and offers incredible career opportunities for all, however the harsh reality of worker abuse must be addressed to ensure that our colleagues across the sector can reap the benefits and thrive in such an important industry.”

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