Retailers created more jobs proportionately than any other sector of the economy during the recession, and the trend has continued since the recovery started.

The findings are revealed today in the inaugural BRC-Bond Pearce Retail Employment Monitor, which also showed that in the second quarter of 2010 retail full-time equivalent employment climbed 3.6% year on year, equating to 22,055 more jobs.

The data - for the three months to the end of June - is illustrative of the importance of the stores sector’s contribution to the health of UK plc. The study indicated that a third of retailers intend to increase employment in the coming three months. Retail employment growth was helped by a 3% increase in the number of stores opened during the quarter.

BRC director-general Stephen Robertson said: “This is the first time retail employment data this up to date has been available and it shows retailers driving the recovery.

“With unemployment at 2.5 million and public sector cuts to come, it’s encouraging retail is creating jobs. The sector employs 2.9 million people. In a difficult environment politicians must think carefully before introducing burdens on retailers that risk undermining their vital role in generating jobs.