Customer Service

Nearly half of retail workers looking to leave job within a year

Generated by AI/Adobe Stock

October 22, 2026

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More than four in 10 retail frontline workers are considering leaving their job within the next 12 months and a rising number of abusive incidents are likely a factor.

That's a top finding of a Kahoot! survey that polled 2,000 U.S. retail workers and which also revealed 45% have experienced verbal abuse or threatening behavior from customers or members of the public while at work.

Additional findings include:

53% have felt reporting workplace issues was pointless because nothing would change.
39% have downplayed or avoided discussing their profession because of how they believe others perceive it.
94% believe people should work in a customer-facing role at some point in their life to better understand what the job involves.
24% experience staff shortages every day.
40% believe staff shortages where they work are putting the public at risk.
47% have experienced burnout in their current role.
41% often work beyond their contracted hours.
Work-life balance (23%) and financial stability (21%) are the leading reasons workers are considering leaving their role.