Nearly Two-Thirds of Retail Workers Are Worried About Personal Safety this Holiday Season
11 Dicembre 2023 - 3:00PM
Business Wire
New report highlights ways that technology,
communications, preparedness and training can help retailers create
safer stores for staff and shoppers alike
As the year's peak shopping season hits its stride, an inaugural
Retail Worker Safety Report from Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI)
found that many retail workers and managers perceive safety
incidents at their stores are on the rise. The survey’s U.S.
respondents reported that petty theft (54%), grab-and-run incidents
(35%) and hostile customer interactions (31%) have increased in
their stores over the past year, and as a result, nearly two out of
three are at least somewhat concerned for their personal safety at
work heading into the holiday shopping season.
“The holiday bustle can be a stressful time for retailers. Sales
associates and managers shouldn’t have to be concerned about their
safety on top of everything else,” said Sharon Hong, vice
president, Ecosystem Solutions at Motorola Solutions. “Our report
found that retail workers are looking for more technology that can
help them be better aware of safety threats, spot illicit activity
and communicate quickly and seamlessly with other employees and
first responders should an incident arise.”
Key findings from the report include:
- Low-tech communication channels are still heavily relied
upon during store emergencies: Retail workers and managers said
they access landline telephones (58%) and PA systems (45%) to
report store safety concerns while nearly one-third (28%) would
rely on yelling to inform coworkers of an incident. These methods
do not often enable a quick connection with public safety officials
should store employees need immediate help.
- Technology can play a meaningful role in increasing retail
workers’ feelings of safety: Respondents said their stores
currently feature video security systems (76%), alarm systems (64%)
and merchandise sensors (44%), but that additional technologies
would make them feel safer such as artificial intelligence (AI) to
detect guns (42%), access control systems to lock doors when
threats are detected (36%), wearable/mounted panic buttons to alert
for help (30%) and license plate readers to identify vehicles
associated with criminal activity (30%).
- Some retailers are updating their safety and security
protocols to support preparedness: Respondents reported
progress in terms of preparedness and awareness. About
one-third (36%) said their employer has introduced a new worker
safety measure in the past 12 months, with top changes including
increased emergency response training (49%), more timely
communication about in-store incidents (41%) and additional
security personnel (33%).
- Retail workers who feel safer stay longer: One in four
(26%) respondents said they have considered leaving retail due to
safety concerns. Retailers who invest in store safety and security
measures are more likely to build employee morale and
retention.
“The retail industry employs tens of millions of Americans and
contributes trillions to the U.S. economy each year,” said Hong.
“Technology, communication channels and preparedness training can
help to create safer store environments for employees and shoppers
alike.”
To view the full findings of Motorola Solutions’ 2023 Retail
Worker Safety Survey, download the report here.
Methodology
The independent market research firm Researchscape
surveyed more than 1,000 retail store associates and managers in
November 2023.
About Motorola Solutions
Motorola Solutions is solving for safer. We build and connect
technologies to help protect people, property and places. Our
solutions enable the collaboration between public safety agencies
and enterprises that’s critical for a proactive approach to safety
and security. Learn more about how we’re solving for safer
communities, safer schools, safer hospitals, safer businesses –
safer everywhere – at www.motorolasolutions.com.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231211138551/en/
Cathy Longley +1 617 678 2025
Cathy.Longley@motorolasolutions.com
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