Retail employment falls 2.three%, 14th consecutive quarter of decline

Retail employment has fallen by 2.three% in the course of the three-month interval ending 30 June, marking the 14th consecutive month of decline.

In response to the figures from the BRC, the decline is equal to round 72,000 extra jobs misplaced than in comparison with the identical interval final 12 months.

Full-time employment additionally noticed a better discount of three%, in contrast with the lower in part-time workers (2%). Complete hours additionally fell by 2.5%, with full-time hours additionally seeing a better discount (2.7%) than part-time hours (2.three%).

This represents a slight slowing within the employment decline, with the variety of workers falling by 2.four% in Q1 and hours falling by 2.7%. Retailer progress additionally slowed to 1.7%, in comparison with Q1 progress of two.three%. Each meals and non-food retailers added shops.

Helen Dickinson, chief government of the BRC, mentioned: “Retail is present process a interval of profound transformation pushed by altering client behaviours and modern applied sciences.

“As these structural adjustments unfold, we’ve seen retail employment falling throughout the nation, with a 2.three% drop as in contrast with the earlier 12 months; that is equal to round 72,000 jobs being misplaced. Such declines are prone to endure, hastened by authorities insurance policies that proceed so as to add prices to an trade already underneath immense pressures.”

She added: “With a brand new prime minister and cupboard in place, there’s a clear alternative to rethink the excessive road technique. Enterprise charges pose an unsustainable burden on retailers and jobs, and we urge the federal government to offer quick reduction to retailers massive and small with a view to facilitate a lot wanted funding within the digital and bodily choices they supply to their prospects.”