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28 Feb 2025

Independent cycling retailer and ACT member Velo Fit has become the first to stock a new brand of bikes focused on combining quality and affordability.

26 Feb 2025

ACT parent company Bira has cautiously welcomed Labour's Crime and Policing Bill but is calling for urgent action and immediate funding to address the surge in retail crime affecting independent...

19 Feb 2025

Electric cargo bike firm Zedify is set to enter administration following a failed search for new funding, after aiming to be active in 50 cities over the next few years.

18 Feb 2025

Halfords has upgraded its profit expectations for 2025 following a strong end to 2024, signalling a possible boost for the wider cycling retail sector after a difficult period.

17 Feb 2025

A £291m funding package from Active Travel England is set to be used for cycle lanes and improved junctions, while also supporting local businesses and making it easier to cycle to work,...

14 Feb 2025

The UK Government has removed anti-dumping tariffs on non-folding e-bikes imported from China in a move that has raised alarm within the UK’s cycling industry over potential market...

7 Feb 2025

ACT parent company Bira has warned that retailers across Britain face troubled times ahead despite today's Bank of England interest rate cut to 4.5%, as the Bank halves its growth forecast for...

4 Feb 2025

The ACT and legal partner WorkNest are hosting an exclusive webinar on how to remain compliant with employment law while making necessary business changes.

31 Jan 2025

New independent research has confirmed OEM e-bikes are effectively exempt from risk of battery fires, with unsafe post-purchase replacement batteries, conversion kits, and other equipment that...

31 Jan 2025

The UK Government has decided not to go ahead with proposals to increase the maximum power output of e-Bikes to 500W and to permit throttle assistance following a lengthy consultation process.

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#ShopKind campaign gathers momentum as retail industry comes together to tackle shopworker abuse

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

  • 1.2 million incidents of verbal abuse and 40,000 incidents of violence against shopworkers in the last year
  • 65% of shopworkers have experienced Covid-related threats with 400 abused every day

The #ShopKind campaign was launched in April with the purpose of spreading awareness of the violence that takes place in shops on a daily basis.

40,00Shopkind0 shopworkers were victims of violence in the last year according to a 2021 Crime Report from the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).

ACS are a member of the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC), a well-established organisation representing c.100,000 independent retailers throughout the UK. 

The Crime Report comes as the UK's biggest retailers, the Home Office and independent charity Crimestoppers have today rallied together and launched a new campaign urging the public to ShopKind after the reopening of non-essential stores and shops across the country.

The #ShopKind campaign urges the public to be mindful of shopworkers' essential role in supporting people during these difficult times and emphasises that we should all treat workers and other customers with respect, kindness and gratitude.

The Home Office backed campaign is supported by major high street names as well as the nation's independent shopkeepers, and the shopworkers Union USDAW. Over 100 retailers, local authorities and police representatives are supporting the campaign. The ShopKind campaign will be visible across high streets and social media from today.

Abuse and violence towards shopworkers is a bigger problem than many people might think, with at least 400 shopworkers abused every day according to the British Retail Consortium.

The 2021 Crime Report, shows that over the past year there have been over 1.2million incidents of verbal abuse, and around 40,000 incidents of violence against people working in convenience stores. Of these, more than a quarter involved a weapon, such as a knife, hammer, axe, or syringe.

Two-thirds of retailers (65%) have experienced Covid-related threats, with the most common causes of abuse being: reminding customers to wear face coverings, reminding customers of social distancing measures and queueing outside stores.

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