By Janice Chadwick, CMIOSH, PHSC plc.

Retail is rarely the first industry people think of when discussing dangerous workplaces. Yet recent analysis of workplace accident data suggests the sector faces a far greater safety challenge than many realise.

Figures drawn from Health and Safety Executive data show that retail recorded around 75,000 workplace accidents in 2025, placing it among the UK’s highest-risk industries for employee injuries. While this may surprise some, those of us working closely with businesses on health and safety know that the risks present in retail environments are often underestimated.

Retail workplaces combine a number of operational pressures: fast-paced environments, frequent deliveries, high footfall and employees often juggling multiple roles throughout the day. Behind the shop floor, staff are moving stock, lifting heavy items, navigating tight storage areas and responding quickly to operational demands. Add the pressures of customer service and peak trading periods, and it becomes clear why safety risks can emerge if they are not actively managed.

The key point is not that retail is inherently unsafe. Rather, the complexity of modern retail operations means health and safety requires constant attention.

Encouragingly, the conversations we are having with retailers suggest attitudes are evolving. Improving mental health support and managing workplace stress are increasingly recognised as important elements of workplace safety. This reflects a welcome shift in how organisations think about risk.

For many years, health and safety discussions focused primarily on physical hazards – slips, trips, manual handling injuries and equipment risks. Those remain critical issues, but there is now greater recognition that workplace wellbeing and psychological safety matter just as much.

Retail employees often work in environments that are physically demanding while also requiring significant emotional resilience. Difficult customer interactions, irregular hours and peak seasonal pressures can quickly accumulate if the right support structures are not in place.

At the same time, retail businesses are evolving rapidly. Store layouts change, supply chains adapt, new technology is introduced and staffing levels fluctuate with demand. Each change can introduce new hazards that may not have existed when a previous risk assessment was completed.

This is why keeping risk assessments current is so important.

Risk assessments should never be treated as static documents created simply to satisfy compliance requirements. They should be living processes that reflect how a business actually operates day to day. When organisations regularly review and update their assessments, they are far better positioned to identify emerging risks and implement appropriate safeguards.

Technology is also increasingly helping retailers better understand and manage these risks. Tools that provide real-time insight into how stores are being used can support safer environments by identifying congestion, overcrowding or disruptive behaviour before situations escalate.

At B2B Security Group , a subsidiary of PHSC plc, technologies such as FootfallCam help retailers measure and analyse visitor traffic, giving store teams clearer visibility of how their environments are functioning throughout the day. Used effectively, this type of technology can support both operational efficiency and safety, helping protect staff and customers while maintaining a positive in-store experience.

Ultimately, however, technology alone is not the answer. Strong safety performance comes from leadership, culture and a genuine commitment to continuous improvement.

The organisations that manage health and safety most effectively treat it as an integral part of how they run their business. They recognise that risk assessments must evolve alongside operations, that training and awareness must be ongoing, and that employees should feel confident raising concerns before problems arise.

When businesses take this proactive approach, the benefits extend far beyond compliance. Fewer accidents mean less disruption, stronger employee engagement and a workforce that feels genuinely valued and protected.

The retail sector has always been resilient and adaptable. As the industry continues to evolve, maintaining safe and well-managed workplaces will remain a fundamental part of that success.

At PHSC plc, we work with organisations across the UK to help identify risks, strengthen safety culture and ensure workplaces remain safe for everyone. 

Contact us to find out more about our footfall camera solution for retailers, to ensure your risk assessments are up-to-date - and include mental health and workplace stress support - or to find out how we can help define, expand and deliver your workplace safety strategy.