Several peak bodies connected to the retail industry have joined forces to launch a nation-wide advertising campaign to combat retail crime and violence this Christmas.
The coalition includes shopping centre, retail, fuel and convenience, pharmacy, security and cleaning industry grants.
'Be Kind in Retail' is part of an ongoing collaborative effort to combat “alarming” levels of abuse, violence and the use of weapons against workers.
The Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA), National Retail Association (NRA), Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), Australian Security Industry Association Limited (ASIAL), Pharmacy Guild of Australia, and Building Service Contractors Association of Australia (BSCAA) are calling on the community to be kind across the upcoming Christmas trading period.
The new nation-wide campaign has gained increased urgency as anti-social behavior and crime in retail settings continues to increase, including causing serious mental and physical harm to workers
Such incidents, according to the coalition, include workers being yelled and sworn at, pushed and shoved, threatened and intimidated, punched, and weapons being displayed and used on them - and many incidents are not associated with the attempted theft of goods. This can often include repeat or recidivist offenders.
The 'Be Kind in Retail' campaign will see advertisements and messaging displayed on digital and print media across the nation's major shopping centres, with messages like “Please be kind to our security officers, cleaners and retail workers”.
SCCA members are running the campaign advertisements for free, across more than 300 shopping centres, and 3,500 digital screens, and an estimated commercial advertising value of $7 million. The campaign will also run across each industry partners' social media channels and in a number of retail outlets.
“Any incident that causes harm to someone is simply tragic, and we are calling on the community to help stamp out needless aggression and violence against workers in retail settings,” SCCA chief executive, Angus Nardi, said.
NRA acting CEO Lindsay Carroll she is proud to advocate for reforms to make retail settings safer for everyone.
“Australia's retailers employ 1.3 million people, a lot of them being young Australians, and it is essential that all retail workers are free of abuse and violence in their workplace,” she said.
AACS CEO Theo Foukkare said the body represents more than 100 suppliers as well as all major convenience retail brands nationally, which collectively employ around 80,000 staff.
“Workers across our industry are experiencing an alarming level of intolerable abuse, particularly in fuel and convenience stores, and they deserve respect and kindness at all times,” he said.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’ national president Trent Twomey said community pharmacies are providing a broader range of products and services than before, embedded within local communities.
“It is critical that our pharmacists and team can operate in a safe environment particularly during the busy Christmas trading period,” he said.
ASIAL CEO Bryan de Caires said security officers are often on the frontline of terrible incidents and putting themselves in harm's way.
“The tragic incident at Westfield Bondi this year highlights the dangers faced by security officers, and we are asking the community to treat security officers with kindness and respect as they assist and interact with you during the busy Christmas period,” he said.
BSCAA CEO Kim Puxty said cleaners are essential to keeping retail environments' clean and safe.
“Their diligent efforts ensure that places like food courts and bathrooms are welcoming and sanitary for everyone,” she said.
“Cleaners often work behind the scenes, yet their contributions are vital to our daily lives and the overall shopping experience. This Christmas let's show kindness and appreciation to our cleaners.”
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