U.S. Retail Workers Cite Increased Safety Concerns Ahead of Holiday Shopping Season

Researchscape conducted the U.S. Retail Worker Safety survey to gauge retail workers’ perspectives about safety and workplace security.

CHICAGO — A majority of American retail workers (57%) report feeling unsafe going into the peak holiday shopping season, according to Motorola Solutions’ second annual U.S. Retail Worker Safety Report.

Many of the 1,000+ retail managers and staff surveyed said they have experienced increases in various forms of crime in the last year, and more than half reported concerns about hostile customer interactions and store theft.

The independent market research firm Researchscape conducted the U.S. Retail Worker Safety survey in September 2024 to gauge retail workers’ perspectives about safety and workplace security measures. The results “show that security technologies – systems that can detect weapons, lock doors and allow store security officers to view real-time video of unfolding incidents – make people feel safer at work.”

Similar independent Retail Worker Safety surveys were conducted in the U.K. and in Australia and New Zealand, countries also dealing with high retail crime rates.

“As we approach peak shopping season, it’s clear that the retail industry continues to grapple with theft and, at times, even more violent crimes,” says Sharon Hong, vice president of Ecosystem Solutions at Motorola Solutions, in the company announcement.

“Retail workers and managers surveyed believe technology can play a role in helping to curb the issue, from deterring theft to de-escalating hostile customer interactions. Technology can also simultaneously notify everyone, including 9-1-1, of an emergency, quickly and efficiently connecting those in need with those that can help,” she says.

Inside the Motorola Retail Worker Safety Report
Key findings in the U.S. Retail Worker Safety report:

Retail crime is on the rise: Many retail managers and staff surveyed said they have experienced increases in various forms of crime in their stores in the pa