We believe everyone deserves to feel safe when they come to work or shop with us. That's why we're proud to back the Retail Trust's Let's Respect Retail campaign, calling on everyone to treat retail workers with the kindness and respect they deserve this Christmas and beyond.
New research from the Retail Trust shows the scale of the challenge facing people working in shops across the UK. Almost eight in ten shop workers (79%) have faced an abusive or violent situation in the past year. More than half (54%) are now targeted every week, up from a third just two years ago. Almost one in four have been physically attacked.
These figures are unacceptable. Behind every one is a colleague simply doing their job and helping customers. No one should have to accept threats or worse just for coming to work.
Tracey Clements, Chief Retail, Logistics and Supply Chain Officer at Sainsbury's, said:
"These figures show the devastating impact retail crime is having on shop workers across the UK and how commonplace this behaviour has become, with the majority of retail colleagues now experiencing abuse, threats or intimidation every single week.
"Making sure our colleagues and customers feel safe is our absolute priority, which is why we're investing heavily in measures to identify those who cause harm when they enter our stores, prevent them from returning and work with the police to make sure they're held responsible for their actions.
"No retailer can tackle this alone and we're standing with the Retail Trust to ask everyone to treat the colleagues helping them with the kindness and respect they deserve."
Tracey Clements"Making sure our colleagues and customers feel safe is our absolute priority, which is why we're investing heavily in measures to identify those who cause harm when they enter our stores, prevent them from returning and work with the police to make sure they're held responsible for their actions."
Chief Retail, Logistics and Supply Chain Officer at Sainsbury's
The impact of retail crime
Despite good progress retail crime is still a major challenge for our colleagues, customers and communities. During 2025/26, a colleague was a victim of violence or aggression every two hours in one of our stores.
Behind every one of those incidents is someone who came to work to help our customers. No one should feel at risk simply for doing their job.
That’s why we continue to invest heavily in measures to prevent retail crime, protect colleagues and customers and help police identify and bring offenders to justice.
How Sainsbury’s is tackling retail crime
We've invested in store safety for many years. In 2018, we became the first UK retailer to roll out colleague-worn cameras.
Since then, we've introduced protective screens for kiosks, exit barriers, CCTV and a range of product security measures.
Together, these give our colleagues extra protection and help us gather the evidence police need to make sure offenders are held responsible for their actions.
How Sainsbury’s uses facial recognition technology
Facial recognition is one of the more recent measures we've invested in to help protect colleagues and customers.
Following a successful trial in two stores last year, we’ve seen it make a real difference as we’ve rolled it out more widely. More than eight in ten people added to the system have not gone on to reoffend in our stores.
The technology alerts trained managers when a known offender enters the store, so they can step in early, often before an offence has taken place. If someone isn't on the database, their image does not remain on the system[GK1.1].
As we continue the rollout of the technology, we will keep learning from it and refine our approach as we go, as well as our training to colleagues, to make sure it is being implemented in the best way possible.
Customers who visit stores with the technology will find large posters on display as they enter, letting them know that we've introduced facial recognition technology to protect colleagues and customers in the store.
What do Sainsbury’s in-store detectives do?
Our in-store detectives are specially trained to identify and respond to retail crime.
They work in plain clothes to blend in with customers, so it's impossible to tell them apart from anyone else pushing a trolley or carrying a basket.
While facial recognition technology is designed to prevent offences from occurring involving known offenders, our in-store detectives are specially trained to spot offenders and catch them in the act.
That covers everything from someone quietly slipping items into a bag to the most serious incidents of violence and abuse.
Their ability to intervene when an incident happens makes them an important part of keeping our stores safe.
How Sainsbury’s responds when an incident happens
Behind the scenes, two teams run by our security partner Mitie work around the clock to support our stores.
When a colleague switches on their body-worn camera, our Incident Response Centre is alerted immediately and can watch the footage live. The team calls the store straight away to check whether extra support is needed and can also contact the police on the colleague's behalf if necessary.
Our Security Operations Centre in Northampton acts as an intelligence hub with a dedicated team who identify, analyse and investigate retail crime.
The team works with police forces to provide intelligence and evidence that can help bring offenders to justice and secure convictions.
Working to make retail safer
Technology and security measures are important, but no retailer can tackle retail crime alone.
It takes retailers, government and the police working together, with effective enforcement and real consequences for people who abuse, threaten or harm retail workers.
And there's a part all of us can play.
This Christmas and every day of the year, a simple hello, a smile or a thank you can make a real difference to the person serving you.
Our colleagues should never feel at risk for simply doing their jobs, and our customers should always feel safe and welcome in our stores. We’ll keep investing, listening and learning to protect the people who make Sainsbury’s what it is.