When a retailer decides they have to take this action there is something seriously wrong in our society.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/502872/woolworths-to-spend-45-million-on-safety-initiatives-after-131-percent-rise-in-physical-assaults

Physical and verbal abuse to staff is up to four times worse than in Australia.

We need to be asking why. Rather than spending money on "safety initiatives" we need to be dealing with the underlying problem.