UK risks ‘jobless generation’ as retail hiring plummets

UK retail employment at lowest on record

UK retail employment is now at its lowest level on record, according to the latest ONS figures, marking a sustained contraction over the past ten years.The post UK retail employment at lowest on record appeared first on Retail Insight Network.

UK risks ‘jobless generation’ as retail employment falls to record low

The UK retail sector could be at risk of creating a “jobless generation” after employment in the industry fell to its lowest level on record, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics. Retail employment averaged 2.81 million roles in 2025 on a four-quarter basis, down 68,000 year on year and 383,000 lower than a decade ago, marking a significant contraction in one of the UK’s largest employment sectors. The decline has been d…

BRC warns on retail job losses

Drapers BRC warns on retail job losses There were 2.81 million retail jobs in the UK in 2025, according to the latest ONS report shared today (19 March), the lowest four-quarter average on record.The post BRC warns on retail job losses appeared first on Drapers.

UK faces 'jobless generation' as retail employment hits new low

BRC warns of decline in retail jobs market for the UK New data from the ONS have revealed a startling drop in employment numbers across the retail sector as the BRC warns of a ‘jobless generation’ for the UK. THE British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that the UK faces a “jobless generation” as employment in the retail sector takes a plunge. According to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were 2.86million jobs in r…

UK risks ‘jobless generation’ as retail hiring plummets

A leading industry body has warned the UK faces a “jobless generation” as the number of jobs in retail fell to a record low.  There were 2.8m retail jobs in 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics’ four-quarter average, which smooths out seasonal variations in hiring, which is 383,000 fewer than in 2015. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned the loss of jobs in the retail sector threatens the routes into employment which m…