Holiday Shopping Season Crisis: Retail Workers Demand Dignity and Respect Amid Rising Challenges

Published on November 26, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

The holiday shopping season is one of the busiest times of the year for retail workers across the globe. In stores and warehouses alike, these workers face immense pressure to keep up with soaring demand. This year, however, the stakes are even higher, as challenges like soaring economic uncertainty, AI-driven scheduling, violence, theft, and a shortage of seasonal staff create a perfect storm for frontline workers. As shoppers brace for delays and supply chain disruptions, it’s the workers who bear the brunt of these issues, absorbing the stress and dangers that come with them. Retail workers are the backbone of the holiday season, and their treatment must reflect that importance.

Retail workers are under siege. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) has issued a statement urging for greater dignity and respect for workers, who are often exposed to disrespect, harassment, and even violence from frustrated customers. No worker should ever have to fear for their safety while doing their job. Employers must ensure that sufficient staffing is in place, that security measures are implemented, and that clear protocols exist to handle aggression. Shoppers too must remember that kindness costs nothing and means everything. As the holiday season unfolds, it’s essential to focus on the welfare of workers and ensure their safety both physically and emotionally.

Retail Workers Face Rising Pressure Amid Economic Uncertainty

As the holidays approach, the retail sector becomes one of the busiest industries globally. The workers on the frontlines face not only an increase in demand but also heightened economic pressures. As costs rise and supply chains continue to struggle, retail workers are expected to do more with less. Retailers are cutting back on seasonal hires despite increasing demand, leaving fewer workers to handle more tasks. Workers already stressed from long hours and low wages are now expected to absorb the shock of economic uncertainty. This year, it’s more important than ever to ensure that retail workers receive the respect and dignity they deserve.

In the face of rising inflation and increasing consumer demands, workers are feeling more pressure than ever before. While shoppers scramble to purchase gifts, workers are the ones left to handle the long lines, chaotic stores, and rising tensions. As many retailers tighten their belts, the stress on employees becomes even more evident. Retail workers need to be recognised for their hard work, especially during this critical time. They deserve to work in safe, supportive environments, with protections against harassment, theft, and violence. The call for respect and fair treatment must be heard, not just during the holidays, but all year round.

AI and Automation Increasing Pressure on Retail Workers

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an undeniable presence in retail, from staffing decisions to inventory management. While this technology helps retailers streamline operations, it is also taking a toll on the workers behind the scenes. AI-driven scheduling systems are pushing workers to their limits. At large e-commerce warehouses, like Amazon, workers are monitored by algorithms that set unreasonably high targets. Workers face severe penalties for minor delays, and the pressure to meet quotas can lead to physical injuries and burnout. Despite this, Amazon and other retailers continue to reduce staff, forcing remaining workers to take on additional responsibilities. This relentless use of AI in the workplace dehumanizes workers, treating them like machines rather than people.

AI is becoming the backbone of modern retail, but it should never come at the cost of worker safety and dignity. The push to automate and optimise operations has created an environment where workers are driven harder and harder each year. The personal touch that once defined customer service is being replaced by algorithms that ignore human needs and limits. It is crucial for employers to recognise that workers are not robots and should never be treated as such. The focus should be on creating a balance where technology complements human labour, rather than exploiting it.

Violence and Theft: A Growing Concern for Retail Workers

Another critical issue that has worsened in recent years is the rising level of violence and theft in retail environments. Retail workers are often the first line of defence against shoplifters, which exposes them to dangerous situations. At a time when economic strain is at an all-time high, many individuals resort to theft, and it’s the workers who bear the consequences. The impact of these experiences extends beyond the workplace and can have long-lasting effects on workers’ mental and physical well-being.

Retail workers are constantly facing verbal abuse, threats, and, in the worst cases, physical altercations. This heightened risk has made many workers fear for their safety, which only adds to the stress of an already demanding job. Retailers must take responsibility for ensuring the safety of their employees. Adequate security measures, such as increased staff, surveillance, and clear protocols for handling aggressive behaviour, must be in place. Furthermore, it’s imperative that the law enforces greater protections for retail workers to deter violent behaviour and ensure workers can do their jobs without fear of harm.

The Unsung Heroes of the Holiday Season: Farm and Food Processing Workers

While much of the focus during the holiday season is on retail workers, we must also recognise the contributions of farmworkers, food processors, and distribution workers. These individuals work tirelessly, often in extreme weather conditions, to ensure that food gets from farms to tables. The holiday season wouldn’t be possible without their dedication, but they too face hazardous working conditions and unfair treatment. Farmworkers and food processors often work in unsafe environments, without the necessary protections, and yet their work is essential to keeping the holiday festivities alive.

These workers are often the unsung heroes of the holiday season. They work under harsh conditions, exposed to extreme temperatures, long hours, and the constant risk of injury. It is essential that they are afforded the same protections as those working in retail environments. Employers must invest in worker safety, offer fair wages, and provide protections that help prevent burnout and injuries. Farmworkers and food processors deserve better, and this holiday season is the perfect time to reflect on their contributions and demand better treatment for all workers involved in the supply chain.

The Call for Better Protection and Rights for Workers

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) has made it clear that workers deserve more than what they’re currently getting. With economic pressures mounting and the use of AI increasing, it is essential that retailers, policymakers, and shoppers work together to ensure that workers’ rights are upheld. Laws that protect workers from violence, regulate AI in the workplace, and ensure that quotas are reasonable must be passed and enforced. However, laws alone will not solve the issue. Employers must do their part to ensure workers are treated with dignity and respect.

In the coming years, we can expect further technological advancements in retail, but it’s crucial that these advances do not come at the expense of workers’ safety and dignity. The future of retail must involve a balance between innovation and human rights. Retailers must commit to reducing unreasonable quotas, improving working conditions, and respecting workers’ rights to organise. With the holiday season upon us, it is the perfect time for shoppers to recognise the hard work of retail employees and support efforts to protect them. This is the time for change, and it’s up to everyone to do their part.