The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has pointed out a significant drop in retail job numbers. According to the latest job figures from the ONS, there were 2.81 million jobs in retail in September 2024 – traditionally the low point of the year, before the numbers rise again ahead of the peak Christmas period.
On a four-quarter average, there were 40,000 fewer jobs than last year, and 225,000 fewer than five years ago.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson says: "Despite a further fall in the number of retail jobs, the industry remains the largest private sector employer, providing approximately 2.9 million jobs in the UK, with another 2.7 million in the supply chain. The current fall is partially explained by ongoing transformation in the industry, from increased investment in automation and higher productivity, to a shift to outsourcing of warehousing and logistics that are not all captured by the ONS retail figures.
“Meanwhile, costs of hiring have risen significantly in recent years. Pay growth in the industry was well above the national average at +8.5% in 2024, and up over +25% since 2021. The October Budget increases the National Living Wage by a further +6.7%, adding over £2.7b to retailer wage bills from April 2025, while changes to rate and threshold for employer NI contributions will cost the industry over £2.3b. This will could hasten the reduction in retail jobs and particularly the recruitment of part-time roles, which have been falling in recent years.
“Retailers are responding to the changing business landscape, with most saying they will further increase investment in automation and improve worker productivity. It is inevitable the Budget will also put pressure on jobs and hours in the coming year, potentially affecting communities all over the UK that rely on retail as a vital provider of entry level, local jobs.”
