The levels of violence and abuse towards staff has surged in recent years.
Photo via UnsplashRetail workers are being, hit, kicked and stabbed with knives and syringes.
Members of the Oireachtas Enterprise Committee are currently hearing from several retail groups.
The groups all want to see an improved Garda response.
The committee has heard how the overall cost of retail crime is around €1.6 billion a year.
While some grocery stores are losing €25,000 a year in stock.
Tara Buckley from the Retail Grocery Dairy and Allied Trades Association says workers are facing "shocking abuse."
The Journal reports that Musgraves, owner of retail brands SuperValu, Centra and Daybreak, will share their concerns with politicians today.
A representative of Musgraves, says there is an “alarming rise” in teenagers trying to intimidate staff.
They believe that young people are “totally lacking in fear given there are little or no repercussions for their actions”.
