With Christmas shopping about to kick into full swing, there are concerns about abuse being levelled at retail workers.

The Australian Retailers Association say they’ve already received reports of staff being threatened with physical violence and verbal abuse.

The association’s Executive Director Russell Zimmerman is urging the public not to take out their frustrations on workers.

“Retail employees are just like everybody else, they’re human beings,” he tells Ben Fordham.

“There’s no need to treat them any differently than with good common courtesy.

“What we’re saying to customers is when you go into those shops, realise that staff have got their limitations they must work in.”

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