As holiday shoppers prepare to hit the stores, retail employees brace for one of the busiest, most stressful times of the year. The seasonal rush brings an increase in foot traffic, with packed aisles, inventory flying off the shelves, and customers searching for the perfect gifts. But with the festive season comes a wave of challenges, many of which compromise the safety and security of retail employees. While the holidays bring incredible sales opportunities, it’s also the peak time for retail crime. The Motorola Solutions 2024 “State of U.S. Retail Worker Safety” report reveals that throughout the year, 74% of retail employees feel safe at work, but that number drops to just 57% during the chaotic holiday season. The report highlights a scary reality, retail workers face heightened risks of petty theft, grab-and-run incidents, and hostile customer encounters during the holidays when stores are at their busiest.
The Holiday Surge: A Perfect Storm for Safety Concerns
Employees are the most crucial part of retail, but the holiday season stretches them to their limits. Crowded aisles, long shifts, and impatient customers add to an already stressful environment. According to Motorola Solutions’ survey:
- 66% of employees report experiencing petty theft in their stores, with over half stating these incidents are on the rise.
- 46% of workers have faced hostile or threatening interactions with customers.
- 48% of stores see an increase in grab-and-run thefts during the holiday season.
Adding to these concerns, 67% of retail workers expect being short-staffed, leaving fewer team members to manage incidents or intervene when incidents occur.
“Safety is the most fundamental thing any business must provide to their employees and customers – if they can’t keep people safe, they can’t keep them coming back to work or shop.”
– Cory Lowe PhD, LPRC
Empowering Retailers with Technology
The holiday shopping season doesn’t have to be a time of high anxiety for retail employees. With the right technology, retailers can protect their workers and create a safer environment. Motorola Solutions has an ecosystem of solutions designed to address the unique challenges retail workers face during the holidays.
- Video Security Cameras: Video surveillance tops the list of desired safety measures for retail workers, with 71% saying it increases their sense of security. Already implemented in 79% of retail stores, security cameras act as both a deterrent and a critical tool for monitoring and investigating incidents.
- Body Cameras:Body cameras have a number of benefits in retail, such as the de-escalation of tense situations and valuable evidence for investigations. Nearly half (47%) of employees believe body cameras would make them feel safer, and two-thirds say the body cameras effectively deter bad situations.
- Panic Buttons and Emergency Communication Tools: When seconds matter, panic buttons and two-way radios provide instant communication. 63% of employees can already communicate instantly with coworkers using radios, but 32% think that a panic button to alert law enforcement or management during emergencies would make them safer.
- Gun Detection and License Plate Readers: Technology like gun detection systems and license plate readers help stores stay one step ahead of threats. 41% of employees say gun detection systems would make them feel safer, and 39% view license plate readers as valuable tools for crime prevention.
- Access Control Systems: Access control systems, such as automatic locking, can significantly reduce risks in emergency situations. 35% of workers believe these systems would enhance their safety, allowing stores to restrict access to high risk individuals or during a community incident.
Putting People First: A Commitment to Safety
The holiday shopping season should be a time of joy and celebration, not fear or uncertainty. Retailers have a responsibility to prioritize the safety of their employees and customers. Safer work environments not only boost morale but also reduce employee turnover, improve customer satisfaction, and protect the bottom line. Motorola Solutions is proud to support retail businesses with innovative safety technologies. By equipping stores with tools like video security, body cameras, and panic buttons, they empower workers to feel confident and secure, even during the most hectic shopping days of the year.
Learn more about Motorola Solutions’ safety innovations and see the full survey results.
