NRF retail members can access our recent webinar, “Today’s Threats to Retail Facilities, and the Value of Workplace Violence Training”.
Violence in the retail environment can take various forms. It might involve direct threats or acts of violence against a retail establishment or stem from external circumstances affecting the retail environment. The perpetrator of such violence can be an employee, a customer or an unrelated individual who chooses the retail setting as their target. Given this range of potential threats, retailers must ensure their workplace violence prevention program effectively addresses these varied risks.
According to “The Impact of Retail Theft and Violence,” a report published by the National Retail Federation, retailers have become increasingly concerned about several aspects of retailer workplace violence: 71% of retailers stated an increase in training budgets to support workplace violence prevention from 2022 to 2023.
Source: NRF's "The Impact of Retail Theft and Violence" report
The most concerning issue is violence committed during a crime, notably shoplifting and theft. Not only have retailers expressed concern over these incidents, almost 40% of responding retailers within this report stated an increase in the display, use or threat of using a weapon during shoplifting events from 2022 to 2023.
Managing disruptive situations has become more of a regular occurrence, requiring retailers to de-escalate to reduce the potential for violence. Disruptive events may involve the unhoused, homeless or dissatisfied guests. Managing these issues requires empathy and specific de-escalation techniques — training that many retailers have increased to keep employees and customers safe.
Gun violence continues to impact the retail industry, although less frequently than other violent acts. While the number of active shooter events is lower than in previous years, as reported in the FBI’s 2024 Active Shooter Incidents in the United States report, the challenge for retailers is the level of gun violence occurring in or around retail environments. Shootings in a parking lot, open space retail setting or public area within a mall still require retail employees to respond for their safety and the safety of customers.
To address rising workplace violence, retailers must develop and maintain comprehensive workplace violence programs that cover both prevention and response to a wide range of threats and incidents. This was one focus at the 2025 NRF PROTECT conference, held June 23–25 in Grapevine, Texas.
One session featured a panel of retailers and industry experts discussing how retail violence has evolved over the past five years. They shared strategies for protecting employees and explored how technologies like artificial intelligence can help prevent violent incidents.
Another session showcased a retailer’s experience implementing, managing and responding to threat management and workplace violence prevention programs. With states like California and New York enacting laws with specific requirements, retailers must ensure their programs not only support prevention, reporting and investigation across all locations, but also comply with state-specific mandates.
NRF’s loss prevention community works with public and private-sector partners to develop or provide resources and tools for our members. Access resources.
NRF is here to support retailers in maintaining a safe retail environment. To assist the industry, NRF and the NRF Foundation have partnered with leading WPV organizations to make training and program development resources available to our members.
The NRF Foundation partnered with the Crisis Prevention Institute to create a 30-minute online program, the Customer Conflict De-escalation Credential. Developed specifically for front-line, customer-facing and distribution center employees, the program teaches associates how to identify and manage customer conflict within a retail environment.
NRF has collaborated with The Power of Preparedness, a leader in online workplace violence program development, training and solutions across various sectors. Retailers and industry partners can access resources focusing on various WPV-related topics including interactions with the homeless/unhoused, de-escalation, active assailant and overall workplace security strategies. NRF members get a discounted rate, built to allow retailers of all sizes to develop a workplace violence prevention program.
Safety remains the priority of the retail industry. NRF will continue to support the industry in their efforts and advocate for a safe and secure retail environment.
