AUSTRALIA | The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) are renewing their call for strengthened safety measures to protect retail workers, following a disturbing surge in violence within retail settings.
Over the past year, approximately 700,000 retail crime incidents have been recorded nationally, underscoring the urgent need for action.
“We fully support retailers taking initiatives to improve safety for staff and commend Coles for their swift response to the recent incident in Queensland,” the associations said.
The ARA and NRA expressed deep concern over the shocking act of violence that occurred in QLD, reiterating that no worker should ever face such a situation. “Our thoughts are with the injured worker and her coworkers,” the statement added, emphasising their solidarity with retail employees during such challenging times.
In response to the recent violence, Coles announced a decision to withdraw its range of kitchen knives for sale from supermarkets across Australia. A spokesperson for the company stated, “Coles complies with all legislation regarding the sale of kitchen knives, and this withdrawal is being taken out of an abundance of caution as we conduct a review.”
This proactive step highlights Coles’ commitment to ensuring the safety of both staff and customers, as the company examines ways to enhance security in its stores.
Both the ARA and NRA have welcomed recent reforms introduced by the Queensland Government to address knife crime, viewing these measures as a positive step forward. However, they believe further collaboration between the industry and government is essential to strengthen workplace safety.
“The industry needs stronger collaboration between retailers and government to create safer environments for workers,” they stated. Proactive measures, such as stricter penalties for offenders, enhanced security systems, and better staff training, are among the strategies the associations recommend to curb retail crime and violence.
Retail workers play a critical role in serving communities, and ensuring their safety is a shared responsibility. The ARA and NRA continue to advocate for initiatives that protect retail employees and foster secure workplace environments across Australia.
More news here.
