U.S. Retail Workers Cite Increased Safety Concerns Ahead of Holiday Shopping Season as One in Four Consider Quitting their Job

Rhea-AI Summary

Motorola Solutions' 2024 U.S. Retail Worker Safety Report reveals significant safety concerns among retail workers ahead of the holiday season. 57% of retail workers feel unsafe, with many experiencing increased crime rates including petty theft (66%), grab and runs (48%), and hostile customer interactions (46%). Over 65% expect holiday understaffing, affecting safety perceptions. Emergency calls to stores have increased, with 20% reporting weekly calls to first responders. Workers identified access control systems (35%), license plate readers (32%), and panic buttons (32%) as potential safety measures, though few stores currently have these technologies implemented.

Positive

• Technology solutions like body cameras show promise with 66% believing they can help understand incidents and support investigations
• Clear identification of security measures that could improve worker safety

Negative

• 57% of retail workers feel unsafe during peak shopping season
• 66% report increase in petty theft incidents
• 65% expect understaffing during holiday season
• 20% report weekly emergency calls to stores, up 16% from 2023
• One in four workers considering quitting their job
• Low implementation rates of security measures (12% or less) despite worker concerns

Insights

Security Technology Analyst

The survey reveals significant market opportunities for Motorola Solutions' retail security technologies. With 57% of retail workers feeling unsafe and increased crime rates, there's strong demand potential for MSI's integrated security solutions. The company is well-positioned to capitalize on the substantial gap between desired and currently deployed security measures - only 12% have access control systems while 35% want them and just 6% have body cameras while nearly half desire them.

The rising frequency of emergency response calls (20% weekly) suggests growing demand for MSI's emergency communication systems and first responder technologies. The holiday season's understaffing concerns (65%) could accelerate adoption of automated security solutions. This represents a significant revenue opportunity in the $123 billion global retail security market.

Independent report from Motorola Solutions reveals retail workers’ desires for enhanced safety and security measures to help keep them safer at work

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 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. This is understandable, as 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. 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 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,” said Sharon Hong, vice president of Ecosystem Solutions at Motorola Solutions. “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.”

Key findings in the U.S. 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 past year. The most common incidents reported were petty theft (66%), grab and runs (48%) and hostile customer interactions (46%). One in ten also said they have experienced physical attacks from customers.
• Holiday understaffing is causing safety concerns: Over 65% of retail workers said they expect to be understaffed this holiday season and this impacts how safe they feel going into peak shopping. Two out of three respondents (68%) who expect their stores to be understaffed said they don't feel safe and 50% said they are concerned for the safety of their shoppers.
• Retailers are making more calls to first responders: More than 20% of those surveyed said public safety personnel such as police, EMS and fire are being called to their stores at least once per week, an increase of 16% over 2023. Emergency personnel are called to stores 2-3 times per month for 17% of respondents.
• Technology solutions can boost feelings of safety: Respondents pointed to access control systems (35%), license plate readers (32%), panic buttons (32%) and body cameras (20%) as measures that make them feel safer. Few retail workers reported having those security measures in place. Of those surveyed, 12% said they have access control systems, 9% have panic buttons, 7% have license plate readers and 6% are using body cameras.
• Body cameras are an emerging retail safety tool: Almost half of respondents said body cameras would help them feel safer, and a majority said the technology can help stores to better understand incidents (66%) and support investigations (66%). Additionally, 42% said body cameras can be a deterrent to aggressive or criminal behavior in stores.

“Several industry studies have shown that retail crime is evolving – it has become more organized, coordinated and, importantly, more violent,” said Cory Lowe, Ph.D., director of research at the Loss Prevention Research Council. “Violence is a key concern among nearly every loss prevention leader we work with, and the changing nature of retail crime is driving them to search for innovative solutions that can help keep people safe. Safety is the most fundamental thing any business must provide their employees and customers – if they can’t keep people safe, they can’t keep them coming back to work or shop.”

To view the full findings of Motorola Solutions’ 2024 U.S. Retail Worker Safety Survey, download the report here.

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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112701505/en/

U.S. Media Contact

Courtney Terlecki

courtney.terlecki@motorolasolutions.com

+1 224 210 4355



U.K. Media Contact

Elvan Lindberg

elvan.lindberg@motorolasolutions.com

+46 707448893



Australia/New Zealand Media Contact

Damien Batey

damien.batey@motorolasolutions.com

+61 428 036 806

Source: Motorola Solutions

FAQ

What percentage of retail workers feel unsafe during the 2024 holiday season according to Motorola Solutions (MSI)?

According to the report, 57% of retail workers feel unsafe going into the peak holiday shopping season.

What are the main types of retail crime reported in Motorola Solutions' (MSI) 2024 safety survey?

The main types of retail crime reported are petty theft (66%), grab and runs (48%), and hostile customer interactions (46%).

How has the frequency of emergency calls to retail stores changed in 2024 according to Motorola Solutions (MSI)?

The report shows that over 20% of stores now call emergency services weekly, representing a 16% increase from 2023.

What security technologies do retail workers believe would make them feel safer according to the Motorola Solutions (MSI) report?

Workers identified access control systems (35%), license plate readers (32%), panic buttons (32%), and body cameras (20%) as measures that would make them feel safer.