Staff at a shop in Mansfield pressed the panic alarm after a man walked in and pulled out a knife.
Nottinghamshire Police were called to the incident in Carlo's Wine Table, in Carter Lane, at around 9:40pm on Sunday, September 1.
The offender is described as a white male of large build, and was thought to be wearing a dark coloured hoody with the hood up at the time.
He reportedly entered the store and produced a knife, demanding money to be handed over.
Once the panic button was activated, he made a swift exit, leaving the knife behind.
DS Prest, who works on the County's CID team, said: "This incident was very distressing for the shopkeeper, and we are keen to identify the man responsible.
"We urge anyone who may have information to call 101, quoting incident number 864 of 1 September 2019."
