Gloucester BID is proud to support ShopKind Week, running from 30th June to 6th July 2025, a national campaign that calls for kindness and respect towards shopworkers and highlights the essential role they play in our communities.
Led by the Home Office and supported by major retailers and local organisations, ShopKind aims to tackle the rising issue of abuse and violence against retail staff – promoting a safer and more respectful shopping environment for all.
Emily Gibbon, Business Manager at Gloucester Business Improvement District (BID) said, “We are encouraging all businesses to get behind the national week of action to share messages with their customers and colleagues about ShopKind. But also, consumers need to remember that the staff behind the counters are human too, please be kind.”
Steve Lindsay, Manager of Gloucestershire Safe said: “Gloucester City Safe work hand in hand with Gloucester BID and support the Shop Kind Initiative, last year we worked with the University of Gloucestershire to survey retail staff to see how safe they feel at work. Violence and abuse towards shopworkers are unacceptable, everyone has the right to feel safe at work. We fully support and promote the ShopKind initiative and work with the police to ensure that any abuse towards workers is investigated, with robust action taken to anyone who is abusive and causes harm to our retail colleagues”.
Chief Inspector, Ash Shingler – Deputy Lead Retail Crime said: “Gloucestershire neighbourhood policing teams across the county are supporting Shop Kind week, working with businesses and retailers to promote positive messaging. The constabulary is committed to reducing violence and abuse towards shop workers. Officers will continue to collaborate with businesses in order to bring offenders of these crime types to justice.”
Throughout ShopKind Week, Gloucester BID, Gloucester City Safe and Gloucestershire Constabulary will be working with local businesses to display campaign materials, raise awareness, and remind shoppers that a little kindness can make a big difference.
Retail staff across the UK continue to report concerning levels of abuse, with many facing verbal threats or worse while simply doing their jobs. ShopKind Week is a timely opportunity to say thank you and stand in solidarity with those on the front lines of our local high streets.
How You Can Get Involved:
– Visit participating Gloucester shops and thank staff for their hard work
– Share messages of support online using #ShopKind
– Encourage respectful and positive behaviour while shopping
For more information, visit https://www.gloucesterbid.uk/shop-kind/