A quarter of a million retail jobs have been lost in the last five years, with 2024 employment figures reaching their lowest since data collection began in 1996.

According to the latest report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were 2.88m jobs in retail in December 2024. This is traditionally the employment high point of the year, including the key Christmas period; however 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 1.5m 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 by 142,000.

British Retail Consortium (BRC) chief executive Helen Dickinson said the number of retail jobs last year was the lowest since 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,” she warns. 

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Dickinson noted additional strains on the sector. These include changes set out in last October’s Budget, which “forced retailer wage bills up by over £5bn” and rises in employer National Insurance Contributions and increased National Living Wage, which have made hiring “significantly more costly”.

According to the BRC, 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. Dickinson explained that job cuts are likely to fall disproportionately on part-time roles.

“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.

“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.”

She added: “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.”