Retail Workforce Shrinks: 250,000 Jobs Lost in Five Years

Retail Jobs: Nowhere Near Their 1996 Highs in December 2024

According to the latest ONS snapshot, the retail sector employed 2.88 million people in December 2024. That’s the biggest spike of the season — the big‑Christmas hiring wave that’s roughly synonymous with holiday cheer and cookie‑filled aisles.

But the Numbers Still Keep Dropping

Four‑quarter average: 2.84 million jobs – 70,000 fewer than last year
Five‑year deficit: 249,000 jobs less than in 2019
Part‑time roles: 1.50 million (down 142,000 over five years)
Full‑time roles: 1.34 million (down 106,000 over five years)

All this paints the sad picture that retail, the UK’s largest private‑sector employer, is shrinking faster than a shopper’s neck during a sale.

Helen Dickinson Fires Up the Scene

“Retail jobs in 2024 are the lowest since 1996, even though the overall economy is still adding positions,” says Helen Dickinson, CEO of the British Retail Consortium. She warns that the slump could spread wider.

Why are Retail Workers Packing Their Bags?

October’s Budget hike spiked wage costs by over £5 bn.
Employer National Insurance contributions and the National Living Wage also stepped up the price tag.
Surveys reveal that 50% of retail finance directors are now planning hiring freezes or job cuts across head offices and stores.

Part‑Time Positions Are the Main Victim

Last seven years saw 200,000 part‑time roles lost, and the next three could erase another 160,000. These are the stepping‑stones for many: freshers post‑school, part‑timers balancing care, or anyone looking for flexible gig‑style work.

Policy‑Puzzle Creeps On

Uncertainty looms around two new initiatives: the Growth and Skills Levy, and the Employment Rights Bill. Both could make it harder to offer the fan‑favorite part‑time slots or provide the right training for staff.

What the Ministry Should Do

“If the government can fine‑tune these policies to boost hiring and training rather than scare them away, the sector can help folks climb back onto the career ladder,” Dickinson stresses. Employees, employers, and the broader economy all benefit when the rules are a win for everyone.