Retailers urged to get involved in initiatives promoting colleague and customer safety

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has urged retailers to think about the practical steps that they can take to help their colleagues and communities feel safer.

The ACS is encouraging convenience retailers to sign up to the Women’s Night Safety Charter. Started as a London initiative, the Charter has since been rolled out in more cities, aiming to help women feel comfortable and confident when walking around at night.

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Here are four easy steps that retailers can consider:

• Say hello to everyone who comes into your store – acknowledge customers so you both know that each other are present
• Keep your store well-lit into the evening – show people that you are open and operating
• Engage with your community on social media – having an online presence will increase familiarity with people in store
• Be aware of helpline numbers – call 101, 999 or your local Safer Neighbourhood team

“Local shops play a vital and positive role in their communities and we know that retailers are committed to ensuring the safety of colleagues and customers in store. In many cases, convenience stores may be the only business operating when its dark and the surrounding areas may be quieter, leading customers to feel vulnerable,” James Lowman, ACS chief executive said.

“We are encouraging retailers to think about some of the steps that they can take to send a powerful message to the communities that they serve and demonstrate that convenience stores are a welcoming and safe place to be.”

Individual businesses can sign up to the charter here.

The ACS is also supporting the Safe Spaces campaign - which looks to help people dealing with domestic abuse - with thousands of posters sent to retailers, allowing them to highlight where their nearest safe space is, as well as promoting discreet resources that customers can use to recognise and report domestic abuse.

Safe Spaces are located in pharmacies and banks, chosen because of their private consultation areas for customers.

The trade body has also reminded retailers about the ongoing #ShopKind campaign which aims to raise awareness about scale and impact of abuse and violence towards shopworkers and encourage kind behaviour in shops.

Lowman said: “It is crucial that we continue to prioritise the safety of our colleagues, and we’re pleased to see how thousands of retailers have engaged with the ShopKind campaign this year to spread the message that our colleagues deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.”