According to the latest report by the ONS there were 2.88m jobs
in retail in December 2024.This is traditionally the high point
of the year, with retailers employing more people during the key
Christmas quarter. The four-quarter average was 2.84m jobs,
70,000 fewer than at the same point last year, and 249,000 fewer
than five years ago.
On a four-quarter average there were 1.50m part-time and 1.34m
full-time jobs. The number of full-time jobs was down 106,000 on
five years ago, while the number of part-time jobs was down
142,000 on five years ago.
Commenting on these figures, Helen Dickinson, Chief
Executive at the British Retail Consortium, said:
“The number of retail jobs in 2024 was the lowest since the data
began in 1996, despite total jobs in the economy continuing to
rise. While this decline in retail jobs should be a concern to
communities everywhere, worse could be yet to come. Last
October's Budget forced retailer wage bills up by over £5bn, and
both the rise in employer NICs and increased National Living Wage
have made hiring significantly more costly. A recent survey of
retail Finance Directors showed that half were planning hiring
freezes or cutting jobs, both in head offices and stores across
the UK.
“Jobs cuts are likely to fall disproportionately on part-time
roles. 200,000 part-time jobs have already been lost over the
last seven years, and up to 160,000 more part-time roles are at
risk in the next three years. This matters: flexible retail roles
are an important stepping stone for many people, whether it's a
first job out of school or a part-time role for those returning
to the workforce or with caring responsibilities. As the
Government's welfare reforms aim to increase the numbers in work,
flexible retail roles offer a first rung back onto the career
ladder.
“Retailers face uncertainty around the new Growth and Skills Levy
and on implementation of the Employment Rights Bill which could
make it more difficult to offer flexible part-time roles or
retrain people. Reducing part-time and reskilling opportunities
in retail would not only be a loss to the industry, the UK's
largest private sector employer, but would also punish the
millions of people who benefit from flexible, local jobs. If
Government can ensure these policies help, rather than hinder,
recruitment and investment in training, the industry can help
provide routes back into work for those who need it. Government
must join the dots on these different policies to create a
win-win for employees, employers, and the wider economy.”
-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
Jobs03 data goes back to 1978, while Jobs04 data only goes back
to 1996. This means Total figures only go from 1996.
