Independent retailer and MGA director, Jeff Harper, was featured in a Nine News report highlighting that a staggering nine out of 10 retail employers in Victoria fear for the safety of their staff.
A recent survey from the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry found that half of all businesses experience crime weekly, including theft, vandalism, and customer abuse. These incidents cost 38% of businesses around $10,000 annually for security and lost goods, while staff increasingly take mental health leave due to stress and anxiety.
Victorian Chamber CEO Sally Curtain emphasised that retail crime is widespread across all regions and sectors. MGA director Lincoln Wymer noted that abuse of retail staff is a daily occurrence across independent stores.
In response, Victoria Police has signed a landmark agreement giving detectives instant access to retailer CCTV footage, aligning with systems already used by major chains like Woolworths, Coles, and Bunnings, to streamline investigations and enhance staff safety.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Kath Markov, Marketing & Partnerships Manager
kath.markov@mgaiba.org.au
0452 660 506
