The UK's retail sector has shed more than 360,000 jobs over the past decade, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), prompting urgent calls from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) for government intervention to safeguard future employment in the industry.
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The latest ONS data reveals there were 2.76 million retail jobs in March 2025. The four-quarter average, used to smooth seasonal variation, stood at 2.80 million, 93,000 fewer than at the same point last year, and 364,000 fewer than in 2015.
The shift has affected both full-time and part-time positions. The number of full-time retail jobs has declined by 117,000 over the past ten years, while part-time roles have dropped by 246,000.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, described the findings as a "wake-up call" for policymakers.
'Retail jobs have continued to fall, with 364,000 fewer jobs than ten years ago,' she said. 'More jobs have been lost in retail in a decade than exist across the whole of the fishing, car manufacture and steel-making industries combined. And while factory closures have quickly been met by promises of action, this wave of retail jobs losses appears to go unnoticed by government.'
The BRC's 2025 Retail Jobs Report, released days prior to the ONS data, attributes much of the downturn to surging employment costs. The cost of employing people for full-time entry-level roles has risen by 10%, while part-time roles have become 13% more expensive.
'This matters: retail jobs are a vital part of the local economy right across the country. From young people taking their first step into the world of work, to parents and carers returning to the workforce around other commitments, retail has flexible and local roles for everyone. When we take retail jobs away, we do a disservice to the local communities that rely on them,' Dickinson added.
According to BRC projections, a further 160,000 roles could be at risk over the next three years if trends continue. The consortium is calling on the Government to enact reforms that will protect employment opportunities while tackling workplace malpractice.
'The Government has a clear path to securing the future of these flexible and local jobs. It must ensure the Employment Rights Bill tackles unscrupulous employers without hampering employment opportunities offered by responsible businesses. This will help the industry provide routes back into work for those who need it, a win-win for employees, employers, and the wider economy,' Dickinson said.
With over 2.8 million people still employed in the sector, retail remains a cornerstone of the UK labour market. But the ongoing job losses, coupled with rising employment costs and structural shifts in the industry, present significant challenges. The BRC is urging the Government to #BuyIntoRetail and implement policy measures that reflect the sector's continued importance to communities and the economy.
More information:
British Retail Consortium (BRC)
info@brc.org.uk
www.brc.org.uk