Making the UK #RespectRetail - our results
Did you know that 90% of retail workers have experienced abuse?
For two in five retail workers, it’s happening up to three times a week and nearly half feel unsafe at work as a result. Here are just a few of the things retail workers have been told by members of the public:
“You’re useless.”
“Why don’t you get a proper job?”
“You’re an idiot who can’t do your job.”
And these are the ‘tame’ insults. Many have been threatened with physical violence and in some cases have experienced it.
It’s because of this kind of abuse - that is reportedly worsening - that Retail Trust last year joined forces with leading retailers, including Ann Summers, B&Q, bp, Co-op, Primark and WHSmith to call for urgent, meaningful change that protects and supports the wellbeing of retail staff, marking the second year of its respect retail campaign.
In both the run-up to Christmas 2022 and 2023, the campaign called for the UK’s three million retail workers to be treated properly. We worked with the Retail Trust to help develop the campaign and to position and highlight them as the frontrunner support system for workplace wellbeing in retail, and, by proxy, stop 63% of retail workers surveyed from feeling so stressed or anxious about going to work.
By sharing the shocking findings of the Retail Trust survey results, compounded by a separate YouGov poll (in which 47% of UK adults admit to getting annoyed with retail staff), we achieved coverage for Retail Trust on BBC Breakfast, in BBC News, Retail Week, The Retail Bulletin, The Mirror, The Sun, The Grocer, Daily Mail, The Independent, Heart Radio, LBC Radio, The Guardian, Sky News, Evening Standard and many, many more.
What does that look like in terms of numbers in just the last year alone?
A huge 724.9m reach across online publications, print, TV, online and radio
255 total pieces of coverage across consumer, regional and trade media
Ongoing media coverage and engagement including TWO appearances on BBC Breakfast for Retail Trust CEO Chris Brook-Carter, further mentions for the Retail Trust on the programme and elsewhere, including on This Morning just last week!
Keep your eyes peeled for more appearances in 2024 and don’t forget to always #RespectRetail!
For 24-hour wellbeing support, call the Retail Trust helpline on 0808 801 0808.