DEALING with abuse from customers “must not be part of the job,” retail union Usdaw demanded today after two-thirds of shopworkers said that verbal and physical attacks are getting worse. 

One in three are being abused every week and nearly half are close to quitting due to the stress and anxiety they feel on the shop floor, according to disturbing research conducted by charity the Retail Trust.

Its survey, which consulted 1,000 retail staff nationwide, reveals a quarter do not report difficult incidents to bosses, suggesting the widespread issue is becoming normalised.