Tough laws and penalties apply this Christmas season for shoppers

If you lose your cool shopping this Christmas, you could face a huge penalty if your aggro is directed at a retail worker.

Shoppers are being urged to mind their manners and behave respectfully towards retail workers this festive season.

As the Christmas rush for shopping gets into full swing, the likelihood of workers being assaulted is said to increase.

But think twice before you lose your cool because assaulting a retail worker could land you in jail for up to 11 years.

The NSW government is reminding Australians of these penalties after a string of recent attacks against retail workers.

Fed up with the assaults, companies have released CCTV footage showing the shocking moments workers have been attacked.

A male customer kicks a Woolies team member inside the service desk in Parramatta. Picture: Supplied

Earlier this month, Woolworths Group reported an average of 420 attacks per month across its supermarkets, including metro stores and Big W stores.

Woolies employees have been punched in the face, ambushed at self-service check-outs and pushed over.

“In the past fortnight, we have had team members punched, spat on,” Woolworths Group chief executive Brad Banducci said.

“We are also seeing aggression and violence against our home delivery drivers, with one driver recently pulled from his truck at gunpoint.”

With liquor being the most frequently reported stolen item, as high as 37 per cent of all retail theft incidents in some jurisdictions, it comes as no surprise that employees at booze stores are especially targeted.

Two men pull a knife on this bottle-shop worker before making off with six-packs and cigarettes. Picture: Supplied

In March 2023, Darwin BWS worker Declan Laverty, 20, was allegedly killed by a 19-year-old man after Mr Laverty refused him service.

Retail Drinks chief Michael Waters said it was the first death of a retail worker during his time in the industry.

“This really triggered a discussion … we’re becoming increasingly concerned at the state of affairs,” he said.

The Safe to Serve campaign was launched following Mr Laverty’s death.

It aims to stamp out violence and aggression against bottle-shop staff.

NSW Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis encourages all states to follow NSW’s lead and crack down on violence against retail workers.

The Minns Labor Government passed tough new laws to protect retail workers in mid-2023 and these penalties have been in place since. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

South Australia has introduced similar laws.

“Often it comes down to a lack of respect towards retail staff and frustration. I understand Christmas can be a busy and stressful time, but I do ask people who may act out in frustration to think twice and recognise it’s a human on the other end,” Ms Cotsis said.

Mr Banducci has called on shoppers to show respect and courtesy to all retail workers this festive season.