Retailers call for urgent, national response to retail crime at the National Retail Crime Symposium in Melbourne

Retailers are demanding tougher weapon control and uniform police action as shop theft and abuse explode, leaving frontline workers under siege.

An individual threatening a team member with a knife at a store in Melbourne. Picture: Supplied.

Fed up retailers across the country are demanding harsher penalties for retail crime, following a national surge in theft and violence.

It comes as new data show more than half of retailers say they face physical abuse at least once a month, while nearly nine in 10 workers have copped verbal abuse on the job.

Victoria recorded the sharpest rise in retail-related threats and serious incidents — up 52 per cent and 38 per cent respectively — outpacing NSW, Queensland and South Australia.

The escalating crime wave has prompted retailers, unions and police to push for a unified national strategy at Thursday’s 2025 Retail Crime Symposium in Melbourne.

It comes as Victorian businesses bear the brunt of the worst crime wave targeting retailers in more than a decade, with “distressed” shop owners forking out thousands on extra security amid rampant shoplifting.

Retailers are calling for tougher penalties, consistent retail crime laws across all states and standardised police responses to ensure uniform enforcement.

They also want the federal government to introduce protective legislation for retail workers by adopting ACT’s Workplace Protection Orders and Queensland’s Jack’s Law nationally.

Dedicated police retail crime units in every state and use of innovative technology to reduce the burden on retail teams and improve communication with police are also on the agenda.

Victorian businesses say they are suffering as retail crime reaches record heights across the state

SDA national secretary Gerard Dwyer said customer abuse was a growing epidemic threatening the safety of retail and fast-food workers.

“Dangerous goods need to be controlled – knives and machetes cannot be allowed to be carried around stores,” he said.

Mr Dwyer said better reporting systems and stronger recognition of customer abuse as a workplace hazard were urgently needed.

More than 800,000 retail crime incidents were reported across the country in the past year alone.

Customer theft is also the rise, with 70 per cent of retailers reporting an increase in shoplifting over the past financial year.

ARA chief executive Chris Rodwell said retail workers had a right to feel safe on the job, urging governments to prioritise the “human impact of retail crime”.

“We’ve already seen a number of strong state-based responses to the retail crime crisis, including Jack’s Law in Queensland and the Workplace Protection Orders in Australian Capital Territory. Now it’s time for the states to work in lock-step,” he said.

“A nationally consistent response to implement the measures recommended by the symposium would send a clear message to offenders: their actions will not be tolerated, and consequences will follow.”

Large edged blades (machetes) will be banned in Victoria. Picture: Mark Stewart

Woolworths Group’s head of violence and aggression Sarah Faorlins said the company had rolled out multiple safety initiatives, including removing knives from stores, providing staff with personal safety alarms and body-worn cameras, and using VR safety training.

“Woolworths also currently has 13 Workplace Protection Orders in place in the ACT, which prohibit the highest harm offenders from our stores. We urge other governments to consider similar measures,” she said.

Some knives have been pulled from sale at multiple Woolworths stores in Victoria, while others have been locked in tamper-proof packaging to prevent easy access.

Bunnings managing director Michael Schneider said safety remained a top priority for their staff, customers and suppliers.

“No one should be subjected to abuse, threats or violence simply for doing their job or going about their day,” he said.

“At Bunnings, the safety of our team, customers and suppliers is our top priority and we will continue to work with governments, industry bodies and unions to strengthen protections and push for legislative change to better support frontline retail workers.”

Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said tougherer laws against assault of retail workers would be introduced by the end of the year.

“Retail workers deserve nothing but our respect and deserve to be safe at work — that’s why we continue to give Victoria Police the powers they need to crack down on offenders,” she said.

“The Worker Protection Consultation Group has already met and begun work on potential new penalties or offences for retail worker abuse, harassment or intimidation.

“Our tough new bail laws are working to protect Victorian families from serious and repeat offending — putting community safety first in all bail decisions.”