For many retail workers, dealing with angry and abusive customers has become part of the job.
A national survey of 4,600 retail workers in 2023 found 87% experienced verbal abuse, and more than 1 in 10 were physically attacked in the past year.
Some retailers have introduced measures like body-worn cameras, extra CCTV and duress alarms to improve safety. But the problem has become so serious that this week a major independent supermarket chain said it's considering closing stores because of violent customer behaviour.
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