Retail jobs hit a record low, latest official data reveals

The organisation flagged its concern following the latest employment data from the ONS, which revealed that retail job numbers have hit a record low as rising costs take a toll.

The four-quarter average data, which takes into account seasonal variations in hiring, showed there were 2.78 million retail jobs in June – 97,000 fewer year on year, and down 393,000 since 2015.

The data further showed there were 1.28 million full-time and 1.50 million part-time jobs in retail, down 133,000 and 258,000, respectively, over the last 10 years.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Today’s figures are a stark warning. Retail jobs have plunged to a record low. The rising cost of National Insurance contributions and National Living Wage, together costing the industry over £5bn this year, is hitting retail employment hard.

“Worse could be yet to come, with the Employment Rights Bill having a ‘materially negative impact on employment’ according to the Office for Budget Responsibility, and the threat of further cost rises at the autumn Budget looming large.

“As costs mount on the industry, retail jobs are falling by the wayside. Whether it is the additional complexity wrought by the Employment Rights Bill, or a new surtax on large retail premises, the impact of these policies will be to drive up prices and hold back retail employment.

“It’s vital that the chancellor’s autumn Budget does not increase costs to the high street further, or else it will be working people who will pay the price as local, flexible jobs are lost, and the cost of living continues to rise.”