Almost 6,000 convenience store workers experience verbal or physical abuse every single day as a direct result of asking customers for identification to purchase age restricted products, according to industry specialists Under Age Sales.

Under Age Sales is a social enterprise that specialises in helping retailers prevent sales of restricted products to minors, and assists them in achieving compliance. It provides staff training, point-of-sale materials, compliance advice and advice for compliance planograms with all of its clients’ legal compliance set out.

The company provides nationally recognised training and is an Edexcel accredited centre. This type of training is an essential element of establishing a system of due diligence to prevent underage sales, and may also help retailers to avoid prosecution or licensing sanctions should a member of staff fail a test purchase.

Earlier this year, Under Age Sales undertook research with retailers across the UK to discover their experiences of violence and abuse, directly related to requesting proof of age. The research delivered the startling results that almost 6000 convenience store workers experience verbal or physical abuse every single day as a direct result of asking customers for identification to purchase age restricted products.

Worryingly, a third of retail workers say such attacks have left them less confident in asking for ID, raising stark concerns over whether young people may in turn have increased access to age-restricted products such as alcohol and tobacco, which are potentially harmful and linked to anti-social behaviour.

With such a wide range of offences linked to the sale of age-restricted products, it is vital that independent retailers keep up to date with the range of products and services they provide, and the legislation surrounding them.

As a retailer, you are the front line to preventing underage sales, so to protect yourself and local communities, Under Age Sales provides a broad range of courses aimed at all staff involved in selling or providing age restricted goods or services.

To find out more about training packages provided by Under Age Sales, visit http://www.underagesales.co.uk/

For additional information about Under Age Sales, call 0345 257 0018 or email [email protected].