Screens showing “smiles of respect” will appear in high streets, shopping centres and landmark sites across the UK, including St Enoch Centre and Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow, from Black Friday as part of the Retail Trust’s Let’s Respect Retail campaign.
The initiative aims to confront the abuse facing the country’s retail workers and “restore humanity to the high street this Christmas”, starting with simple gestures of respect like a hello, thank you, or a smile.
Research by the Retail Trust released earlier this month found that over three quarters (77%) of shop staff have experienced intimidating behaviour in the last year and more than one in five (23%) were physically assaulted. 43% said they are being abused or attacked every week, a rise of 30% on 2024, when 33% told the Retail Trust they were experiencing weekly verbal or physical assaults.
Lord Stuart Rose, Chairman of Asda and Zenith Automotive and EG Group; Charlie Mayfield, former Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, and Howard Dawber, London’s Deputy Mayor For Business, are among those to have shared smiles of respect for the Retail Trust’s screens.
Shoppers can show their support for retail workers by uploading their own smiles of respect to the charity and by sharing them on social media using #RespectRetail.
Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of the Retail Trust, said: “Thoughtless, unkind and aggressive behaviour has become ‘part of the job’ for too many shop workers today. It’s on all of us to help bring humanity back to the high street this Christmas, starting with acts as simple as a thank you, a greeting, and a smile.
“The smiles being shared across the country represent the Retail Trust’s call for dignity and decency. We know that the smallest acts of respect still make a huge difference to people who are facing daily hostility at work and this is our moment to prove that and to change behaviour.”
Theo Paphitis, Chairman of Theo Paphitis Retail Group including Ryman, Robert Dyas, Boux Avenue and London Graphic Centre, added: “The retail industry is one of the most supportive around, as shown by the warmth for, and engagement with, this year’s important ‘Let’s Respect Retail’ campaign.
“Our store colleagues are out there helping our customers day in, day out and respect is the very least we should ask for as we serve our communities. Visit stores, smile and engage positively with our colleagues and this becomes a win-win for all.”
BP is also supporting the campaign. Jo Hayward, vice president, mobility & convenience retail of BP, said: “I’m proud to support the Retail Trust’s Respect Retail campaign. Our retail teams work incredibly hard to deliver great experiences for our customers every single day. They’re a vital part of our business and a key part of your communities. A smile or thank you goes a long way. Let’s show them we care.”
