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The challenge of begging in the streets for retailers

Someone sitting on the ground out the front of a shop asking people for spare change is a challenge for the retailer. While some will drop some coins into the cup or cap, some will shop elsewhere to avoid the interaction.

There are other situations where relationships form. I saw this recently in Melbourne where a shopkeeper was closing up for the night and said goodnight by name to the person sitting out the front of their shop asking for spare change. That person said goodnight to the shopkeeper by name.

In Sydney, I have seen the same person on the busy CBD corner for more than 10 years, pitching the same story about needing money for medicine.

I get that many people are living in challenging and fragile situations and that there are significant cracks in the state and federal support platforms available for homeless, unemployed and other vulnerable people, and that this leads to some hitting the streets asking for money. I also understand that there are some who exploit locations, as a form of employment.

For the retailer with someone begging out front, it can be stressful, worrying. It can be hard to know what to do. While begging is illegal in Victoria, there is good commentary from experts that fines for beggars are not the answer.

Justice Connect published an interesting report about begging in Victoria, which I found useful.

In considering how to respond to a specific local situation we have to consider the situation of the person begging, people who want to shop with you, your own team members and others in the community. It is complex, and unlikely to have a simple or linear solution. Each retailer needs to discover the path that is best for them and those they share the situation with.

In my own case, since it is infrequent at the moment, I have found becoming more aware of the situation to be a useful first step. I have also spent some time looking for a respected homelessness related charity with which to connect, and support. I have settled on Launch Housing if you are interested. They do good, practical work, a secular organisation with a good track record. I like that they show the value of a donation in terms of rooms provided.

I understand that paying someone else money does not necessarily resolve your issue and that it can been see as payment to make a feeling of guilt go away. As I said, Launch Housing support is a first step.  The next step, next time someone is begging in front of the shop, it to try and understand. But I reckon that will be easier said than done.

Begging is a complex challenge, and it feels like it is on the increase. Plenty of local small business retailers and close to the front line of this challenge.

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Social responsibility

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