Retail Jobs in the UK: A Sharp Decline
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) just disclosed that there are 2.76 million retail positions held in March 2025. That figure looks thinner when you average out seasonal hiring patterns over three quarters.
Four‑Quarter Averages
- March 2025 average: 2.80 million jobs
- 93,000 fewer than the same period last year
- 364,000 fewer than in 2015
Full‑Time vs Part‑Time
- Full‑time: 1.30 million – down 117,000 from a decade ago
- Part‑time: 1.50 million – down 246,000 over the same span
“Retail jobs have continued to fall, with 364,000 fewer jobs than ten years ago,” says Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC). “It’s astonishing—more jobs have slipped away in retail than the sum of the fishing, car‑manufacturing, and steel‑making industries combined.”
Why the Numbers Matter
These losses aren’t just statistics; they’re real‑world impacts on local communities. Retail provides:
- First‑job opportunities for young people stepping into the workforce
- Flexible schedules that help parents and carers balance work with other commitments
- Geographically anchored employment that keeps towns bustling
Yet the industry’s talent pool shrinks as the cost of hiring rises. According to the BRC’s 2025 Retail Jobs Report:
- Full‑time entry‑level roles cost 10% more to employ
- Part‑time roles have seen a staggering 13% price hike
Within the last decade, nearly 250,000 part‑time positions vanished, and the BRC warns that an additional 160,000 roles could be at risk over the next three years. “This is a bargain for the industry,” the BRC notes. “Great places for employees, employers, and the wider economy alike.”
Policy Recommendations
The BRC calls on the government to:
- Strengthen the Employment Rights Bill to protect workers from unscrupulous practices, without squeezing out responsible businesses
- Guarantee a stable future for these crucial, flexible jobs
With clearer protections and a commitment to not letting retail slip behind, local economies can keep thriving while new talent continues to find their footing.
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