New #ShopKind Champions announced

#ShopKind, a retail industry campaign co-ordinated by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), today announced its new Champions from across the retail industry, policing community, the government and the parliament.

Nominated to spread the message of the campaign, which looks to tackle the issue of abuse and violence toward shop workers, the #ShopKind Champions will also encourage positive behaviours in shops, acknowledge the important role of shopworkers and raise the profile of the problem of violence and abuse against shopworkers.

The #ShopKind campaign is backed by the Home Office and supported by major high street retailers and the shop workers’ union Usdaw.

Polling conducted for the #ShopKind campaign shows that more than a third of consumers have witnessed violence and abuse against shop workers. The British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) research shows over 400 shop workers are abused each day and ACS’ research shows 89 per cent of shop workers have experience abuse.

“There is a growing problem of violence and abuse towards people working in the shops across the country and we are proud to be promoting the #ShopKind campaign and its message about treating our colleagues with the kindness and respect that they deserve,” ACS chief executive James Lowman said.

“ShopKind Champions are playing a key role in highlighting the importance of the campaign by demonstrating their commitment to #ShopKind and spreading awareness amongst consumers and across the industry.”

Commenting, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “The pandemic spotlighted just how important shop workers and retail employees are to our daily lives.

“Having spoken with employees from many retail stores, I know just how damaging and long-lasting the impact of abuse and assaults can be on those who are simply trying to do their jobs and proudly serve their communities.

“I want to encourage all police forces to work in partnership with businesses and identify ways to make it easier to report crime and to increase victim support for shop workers whilst continuing to target prolific offenders. It takes just a moment to be mindful of our behaviours when out shopping.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe at work and shop workers, who provide a vital service to all of us, should be treated with respect and gratitude. After all, a little kindness goes a long, long way.”

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, added: “As retail crime continues to climb, #ShopKind remains an extremely important campaign. No one should go to work fearing for their safety, yet our most recent crime survey showed that there were a shocking 450 incidents of violence and abuse against our retail colleagues every single day. People in retail are there to look after customers, help them find what they need, keep shelves stocked and deliver goods, being threatened or assaulted must not be part of the job. We remind customers to shop kind and be respectful and considerate to retail workers and fellow customers.”

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act received Royal Assent at the end of April, with new provisions coming into force to make attacking an individual who serves the public an aggravated offence. This is due to come into force on 28 June 2022.

#ShopKind Campaign materials for retailers are available to download on the NBCC website here.

The #ShopKind Champions are:

Retail

• Andrew Goodacre – CEO, Bira
• Graham Bell – CEO, B&Q
• Joanne Gates BEM – Store Manager, Co-op
• Matt Pratley – Colleague Safety and Wellbeing Manager, Co-op
• Claire Saunders BEM – Store Manager, Co-op
• Nigel Sutliffe – Security Manager, Greggs
• Tony Dods – Managing Director, Heron Foods
• Paul Cheema – Director, Malcom’s Store
• Helen Shaddick – Retail Administrator, North Devon Hospice
• Neil Cadden – Head of Profit Protection, Pets at Home
• Theo Paphitis – Chairman, Boux Avenue, Robert Dyas and Ryman
• Nick Green – Retail Communications Co-ordianator, Spar
• Sarah Dixon – Shrink and Security Partner, Tesco
• Tracy Orton – Shrink and Security Partner, Tesco
• Mikey Johnson – Area Loss Prevention Manager (South England), The Range

Trade Bodies

• James Lowman – Chief Executive, Association of Convenience Stores
• Helen Dickinson – CEO, British Retail Consortium

Parliamentarians

• Esther McVey – MP for Tatton

Ministers

• Kit Malthouse - Minister of State for Crime and Policing
• Paul Scully - Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets and Minister for London

Police and Crime Commissioners

• David Sidwick – Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
• Marc Jones – Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner
• Andy Dunbobbin – North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner
• Katy Bourne OBE – Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner
• Rupert Matthews - Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner

Partnerships

• Katie Powell – Account Manager, Crimestoppers
• Hannah Wadey – Chief Executive, Business Crime Reduction Partnership
• Emily Gibbon – Manager, Gloucester BID
• Steve Lindsay OBE – Manager, Gloucester City Safe
• Lauren Dowdle – Operations Co-ordinator, Harrow BID
• David Wilson – Partnerships Manager, National Association of Business Crime Partnerships