The number of retail vacancies decreased by 0.2% between June and August 2025, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Retail job vacancies reduced by 0.5% year-over-year, while overall job vacancies across UK industries went down by 1.4% to 728,000 in the period from June to August 2025.

The number of job vacancies decreased by 14% to 119,000 in the quarter from June to August compared to the year prior.

The ONS report said: “The estimated number of (workforce jobs) WFJ decreased to 36.8 million in the UK in June 2025. This is a quarterly fall of 182,000 (0.5%) since March 2025. The quarterly decrease was largely caused by a decrease of 159,000 (3.7%) in self-employment jobs.”

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The latest statistics come as retail executives have warned of a further slowdown in hiring if the proposed higher business rates are implemented in the upcoming Autumn Budget.

Over 60 retail executives said in a letter published by the British Retail Consortium: “Labour’s manifesto made a clear and welcome promise to deliver good jobs and higher living standards, but if future policy decisions lead to rising prices and fewer jobs, then those commitments are at risk.

“It is for these reasons we support your plan to reduce business rates on retail, hospitality and leisure. To deliver the improvements to investment the Government seeks, support local employment, and help relieve the pressure on prices, it is essential these changes result in a significant reduction in the industry’s tax burden.”