Scotland’s retail sector is facing a “climate of fear” as new figures reveal nearly 4,000 shop workers were attacked in 2024, with an average of 170 incidents of violence or abuse every day, according to the latest report from the Scottish Retail Consortium.
The crisis is mirrored across the UK, with retail leaders warning that crime against shop workers is “spiralling out of control.”
Scottish retailers also suffered financial losses, with shoplifting costing an estimated £170m last year. Many incidents are believed to be linked to organised crime groups systematically targeting stores, stealing goods worth tens of thousands of pounds and rotating across multiple locations.
In response, the Scottish Government has announced £3m in funding for 2025/2026 to help tackle retail crime.
Retailers Facing Rising Threats
Some businesses have already taken extra security measures in response to the increasing threats.
Speaking to STV News, Specsavers retail director Joe Al-Ubaid said: “It’s certainly increased here in the last few months. Simple hit incidents, opportunists grabbing things and running away.
“It’s changing the way we think about security in general.
“You have to be aware of the risks in this industry. We’ve installed panic buttons directly linked to the police.
“We need to make sure staff can work safely.
“Our local police are trying their best in the circumstances. It affects us financially, stock disappearing. It’s certainly prevalent.”
Al-Ubaid also highlighted the importance of local businesses working together to combat crime, adding: “We let each other know when things are happening and help each other out. There’s a great community spirit in Morningside.”
Call for More Action from the Government
Ewan MacDonald-Russell, deputy head of the Scottish Retail Consortium, also spoke to STV News, saying:
“Shockingly, retail crime continues to skyrocket. We estimate there were 170 incidents of violence or abuse to Scottish shopworkers every day last year, with nearly 4,000 violent attacks in the last year.
“Theft cost Scottish retailers £170m last year. That leads to customers having to face both higher prices and more inconvenient shopping as retailers have to mitigate the costs and shrinkage resulting from this criminal behaviour.
“It’s not acceptable that retail staff in Scotland have to operate in this climate of fear. Whilst the recent Budget announcement of £3m to help tackle retail crime is a good start, the reality is a much greater effort is needed across the criminal justice system to get this situation under control and protect workers and customers.”
