Quarter of a million retail jobs lost in five years
According to the latest report by the ONS there were 2.88m jobs in retail in December 2024.This is traditionally the high point of the year, with retailers employing more people during the key Christmas quarter. The four-quarter average was 2.84m jobs, 70,000 fewer than at the same point last year, and 249,000 fewer than five years ago.
On a four-quarter average there were 1.50m part-time and 1.34m full-time jobs. The number of full-time jobs was down 106,000 on five years ago, while the number of part-time jobs was down 142,000 on five years ago.
Commenting on these figures, Helen Dickinson, chief executive at the British Retail Consortium, said: “The number of retail jobs in 2024 was the lowest since the data began in 1996, despite total jobs in the economy continuing to rise. While this decline in retail jobs should be a concern to communities everywhere, worse could be yet to come. Last October’s Budget forced retailer wage bills up by over £5bn, and both the rise in employer NICs and increased National Living Wage have made hiring significantly more costly. A recent survey of retail Finance Directors showed that half were planning hiring freezes or cutting jobs, both in head offices and stores across the UK.
“Jobs cuts are likely to fall disproportionately on part-time roles. 200,000 part-time jobs have already been lost over the last seven years, and up to 160,000 more part-time roles are at risk in the next three years. This matters: flexible retail roles are an important stepping stone for many people, whether it’s a first job out of school or a part-time role for those returning to the workforce or with caring responsibilities. As the Government’s welfare reforms aim to increase the numbers in work, flexible retail roles offer a first rung back onto the career ladder.
“Retailers face uncertainty around the new Growth and Skills Levy and on implementation of the Employment Rights Bill which could make it more difficult to offer flexible part-time roles or retrain people. Reducing part-time and reskilling opportunities in retail would not only be a loss to the industry, the UK’s largest private sector employer, but would also punish the millions of people who benefit from flexible, local jobs. If Government can ensure these policies help, rather than hinder, recruitment and investment in training, the industry can help provide routes back into work for those who need it. Government must join the dots on these different policies to create a win-win for employees, employers, and the wider economy.”