Currys, the UK’s leading omnichannel tech retailer, is proud to announce its support for #ShopKind Week, a retail industry campaign coordinated by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) on behalf of the UK Home Office that is responding to the growing problem of abuse and violence toward shopworkers.
Throughout #ShopKind Week, which runs from Monday June 30th to Friday July 4th, Currys will join other retailers and trade bodies, alongside the Home Office, in raising awareness of the scale and impact of abuse and violence towards shopworkers. To accomplish this, and to encourage customers to be kind and respectful to store colleagues, #ShopKind posters will be shared with stores across the UK so that they can be displayed on the shop floor to raise public awareness, and in back of house areas to support colleagues’ awareness.
The call to action comes at a time when retail crime is at its highest level on record, with an increase of over 50% in incidents of retail violence and abuse to more than 2,000 a day, according to the British Retail Consortium’s latest Annual Crime Survey.
Responding to this concerning increase, Currys recently announced its largest ever annual investment in store safety measures, including the rollout of VoCoVo headsets to all UK&I stores to ensure colleagues stay better connected, and therefore safer, on the shop floor.
“The rising level of retail crime and aggression towards retail workers is unacceptable.
Lindsay Haselhurst Chief Operating Officer at Currys
Effectively tackling this issue requires collaboration between retailers, law enforcement, and the Government, which is why we’re delighted to be supporting #ShopKind Week.”
“We’re proud to be part of an industry-wide campaign to highlight the importance of treating retail workers with the respect they deserve.
Matthew Speight Director of Stores at Currys
Store colleagues work hard to support customers, and play an important role in local communities across the country, so it’s vital they can come to work in a safe and secure environment.”
Dame Diana Johnson, Policing Minister, said: “Stealing from shops and abusing retail staff is unacceptable and the government wholeheartedly supports the #ShopKind campaign."
“We are taking robust action to stop this criminality and are bringing in a new specific offence for assaulting retail workers and have ended the effective immunity for shop theft of goods under £200."
“After years of declining police officer presence in our communities, we are putting 3,000 more neighbourhood police officers onto our streets this year, which will better protect our town centres and help restore public confidence in communities.”
James Lowman, Chief Executive of the ACS, said: “We are proud to deliver the #ShopKind campaign this year and are grateful for the widespread support it has received from across the sector and our customers. We hope that the campaign reminds everyone to be considerate to shopworkers, and that it will continue to raise awareness about the violence and abuse that they face when serving their communities.”
2025 marks the fifth #ShopKind Week, with over 170 retailers, trade bodies and law enforcement organisations taking part since the campaign launched in 2021.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Read the BRC’s 2025 Annual Crime Survey here
Find out more about Currys’ investment in store safety measures here