Victorians are calling for action on retail crime with new research revealing 79% are concerned about the state's rising crime levels.
With retail crime at crisis levels, the research supports calls by retailers and unions for the urgent introduction of Workplace Protection Orders, tougher laws and a dedicated retail crime police taskforce.
Commissioned by the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA), the October 2025 national survey shows Victorians were the most concerned in the country about retail crime and the quality of the government's response.
The majority of Victorians see the State Government and police as responsible for protecting retail workers from crime and abuse, and 78% of respondents said they would like to see the Victorian Government do more to address it.
Other Victorian findings include:
- More than half have witnessed some form of retail crime.
- 73% of Victorians say crime has impacted their overall feeling of safety. This compares to 66% in other states and territories.
- 89% say retail workers deserve the same respect as frontline workers.
- 90% support the introduction of workplace protection orders to prevent serious and repeat offenders from entering stores.
- 77% support a dedicated retail crime taskforce.
- 89% support stronger penalties for those who abuse or assault retail workers.
- In Victoria, 19% of Australians are extremely concerned versus 11% elsewhere.
ARA CEO Chris Rodwell said retail crime is not victimless – it's a community-wide concern.
"This issue is not isolated to the one in ten Australians who work directly in retail," Mr Rodwell said. "Almost two thirds (64%) of Australians have someone close to them working in retail, such as their direct family or close friends, or they work in retail themselves. Further, 88 percent of Australians visit retail stores for essential needs at least weekly."
Victoria remains the national hot spot for retail crime and violence, accounting for 35% of total incidents – 60% per cent more incidents than any other state.
Victoria Police recorded 82,152 incidents in 2024 - a 27.6% increase. For the 12 months to June 2025, there were 99,114 incidents - a further 20% increase. Threatening events surged 52% and serious incidents rose 38%, placing Victoria as the hardest-hit state. Nationally, weapon-related retail crimes increased 66% year-on-year, highlighting growing danger to frontline workers.
While the reported data is alarming, it likely underestimates the true scale of the problem, as much retail crime goes unreported.
"The data clearly shows Victoria has become Australia's retail crime capital and is failing to adequately respond. It remains the only state without strict, proactive legislation on retail crime. Without tougher penalties and stronger police powers to apprehend offenders, incidents will continue to escalate," said Mr Rodwell.
"Retailers need the government to act before intimidations and violent threats turn fatal. If the government continues to overlook this issue, the risks to worker safety, business viability and community confidence will continue to grow.
"That's why retailers are calling for immediate reforms – including a dedicated Police Taskforce for Retail Crime, introducing enforceable Workplace Protection Orders, implementing streamlined online reporting, and legislating increased police search powers through initiatives like Jack's Law. These proven measures are working elsewhere in Australia and must be adopted in Victoria to protect the state's retail workforce," he said.
Bunnings Chief People Officer, Damian Zahra:
"Escalating retail crime is a safety crisis and behind the statistics are real people who are being put in harm's way. The safety of our team, customers and suppliers is our number one priority that's why we've joined the ARA and other retailers in calling for urgent action and reforms to protect retail workers and restore safety in retail settings, including the introduction of workplace protection orders, a dedicated police taskforce on retail crime, and an online crime reporting platform.
"We've got team members who are starting out in their first job through to those transitioning to retirement, and they deserve to show up to work every day and focus on delivering the best experience for our customer, not having weapons pulled on them. "
Coles State General Manager for Victoria, Chris McKellar.
"Threatening situations across our stores are at their worst in Victoria and continue to escalate. That is why we are calling on the Victorian Government to act now and urgently introduce Workplace Protection Orders and a dedicated police taskforce.
"The safety of our team and customers is our highest priority, and every day the Victorian Government delays urgent action means the crime epidemic affecting retail will get worse, not better."
Woolworths State Director Operations – VIC/TAS, Sarah Gooding
"We've been calling for more protections to help keep our team safe at work – specifically Workplace Protection Orders. Violence and aggression is rising across the country, but Victoria accounts for more than 40% of all our reported cases – we need this to change.
"It's important to remember that our team members are mothers, fathers, sons and daughters – many of them young people in their first job – come to work to help customers. Our team's safety should be non-negotiable and we'll continue standing up for that.
"For Woolworths, this is a national issue. We've seen great steps taken by the ACT, NSW and SA with these laws, and we strongly encourage Workplace Protection Orders to be implemented in all other states and territories, particularly Victoria, as soon as possible."
Kmart and Target, GM Stores and Central Operations, Chris Renshaw
"Rising retail crime has become a serious problem – and behind every statistic is a person who is just trying to do their job. People from all stages in life work in our stores – and every one of them deserves to come to work feeling safe and supported, not facing threats or violence while doing their job.
"This is an issue that has united retailers and needs a coordinated response – we can all see that we need urgent action to better protect retail workers."
