According to the latest job figures by the ONS, there were 2.81m
jobs in retail in September 2024.This is 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.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the British Retail
Consortium, said:
“Despite a further fall in the number of retail jobs, the
industry remains the largest private sector employer providing
approximately 2.9m jobs in the UK, with another 2.7m 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 £2.7bn to retailer wage bills from April 2025, while
changes to rate and threshold for employer NI contributions will
cost the industry over £2.3bn. 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.”
-ENDS-
ONS jobs figures are reached by adding “Retail trade, except
of motor vehicles and motorcycles” of:
-
Jobs03: Employee jobs by
industry
-
Jobs04: Self-employment by
industry
