SHOPPERS set to swarm Scottish streets in search of a Christmas bargain are being urged to spare a thought for retail workers and “shop kindly.”

The call came from both retail union Usdaw and employers at the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) yesterday, after a survey by the union found as many as two thirds of retail staff had suffered abuse at work over the last year.

Usdaw Scottish regional secretary Tony Doonan urged shoppers to show “patience, kindness and consideration” towards Scotland’s 235,000 retail workers over the Christmas rush.

He said: “People across retail work incredibly hard over the busy festive period to make sure everyone can get the gifts and items they are looking for and enjoy the excellent shopping experiences that Scotland has to offer.

“They deserve to be treated with respect and kindness and there is no place whatsoever for any abuse or violence.

“We urge customers to treat retail workers the way they would like to be treated and to shop kind this festive period, that way everyone can enjoy their shopping experience as we celebrate Christmas.”

Adding employers’ voice to the call, SRC director David Lonsdale said: “People in retail will again be doing a brilliant job working hard to look after customers, helping them find what they need, keeping shelves stocked and delivering goods.

“While this time of year can be a little stressful, any mistreatment of store colleagues and delivery drivers will not be tolerated.

“Confrontations, be it verbal abuse or physical assault, can take a huge toll on victims, their families and their colleagues.

“When everyone shows a little Christmas kindness and courtesy, everyone will be better off.”