Retail Employee Safety in 2026: Challenges Washington Businesses Can’t Ignore

Despite improvements in many crime categories nationwide, retail theft and related violence remain major concerns for store owners and frontline staff. According to the 2025 Impact of Retail Theft & Violence report by the National Retail Federation (NRF), retailers saw an 18% increase in shoplifting incidents in 2024 compared to 2023 and a 17% rise in threats or acts of violence during those incidents.

These trends aren’t unique to one part of the country — they affect businesses from Seattle to Spokane and everywhere in between. Organized Retail Crime (ORC), where coordinated groups steal merchandise for resale, has become a growing focus for both retail and law enforcement communities.

Why Employee Safety Is a Business Priority

Retail workers are often the first point of contact in a store — and also the first to experience aggressive or threatening behavior. National data indicate that many retailers are responding by increasing safety training and preventative security measures. In fact, nearly all retail respondents in NRF’s survey reported that violence-related theft has forced them to expand employee workplace violence training and other defensive measures.

The economic impact is significant, too: industry surveys show that stolen merchandise and losses associated with theft drain billions from operations and often lead businesses to lock up products or reduce store hours — decisions that can suppress sales and affect customer experience.

What Washington State Businesses Can Do

1. Invest in Preparedness and Training Employee awareness and de-escalation training can reduce risky interactions before they escalate. Effective training emphasizes situational awareness, safe communication, and protocols for contacting law enforcement — rather than confronting offenders directly.

2. Partner With Professional Security Services Uniformed security professionals, including unarmed guards and off-duty law enforcement officers, provide a visible deterrent and can assist with monitoring, reporting, and response coordination. Evidence from loss prevention research shows that a strong security presence can discourage repeat offenders and improve employee confidence on the job. Seattle's Finest has helped many retail businesses of all sizes enhance the safety and well being of their retail employees and customers. You may see our officers at Target locations, Northface, Carhart, Home Depot, and more!

3. Use Technology to Support Safety Video surveillance, panic buttons, and communication systems allow employees to call for help quickly when threats arise. When integrated with trained personnel, these tools help protect workers without escalating incidents.

4. Collaborate With Local Law Enforcement Sharing incident reports, patterns, and security footage with police helps law enforcement identify repeat offenders and improve their response strategies — a key part of long-term retail crime prevention.

Retail employee safety should never be a back-burner issue. With theft and aggression rising in many locations, proactive planning, strong security partnerships, and employee support systems are essential. Businesses across Washington State that make safety a priority not only protect their staff but also strengthen customer trust and operational resilience.

If you would like to see how Seattle's Finest Security & Traffic Control can assist your business with safer working conditions and lower theft percentages- contact us today!