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Get your free copy02 May 2017, 05:43 AM
- The decrease in the number of hours worked by retail staff has continued for another year, according to the British Retail Consortium's (BRC) latest Retail Employment Monitor
The report states that the equivalent number of full-time jobs fell by 3.9 per cent in the first quarter of this year, compared with the same first three months of last year.
It found that while both food and non-food retailers contributed to the decline in hours, food saw the deepest fall.
All three months of the quarter reported a decline in FTE employment, with January’s decline only marginally shallower than that seen in February and March.
Despite the reduction in employment hours, the number of outlets rose by 0.6 per cent compared with the same quarter a year ago, with food retailers driving the overall increase in the number of shops.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of BRC said, “Today’s fall in full-time equivalent employment from our sample of retailers shows a continuation of a year-long downward trend of retailers reducing the number of hours being worked.
“We expect retailers to continue reviewing how they work with their people as they look to address the changing face of retail and keep prices low for consumers. Building inflationary pressures and public policy costs, alongside intense competition, are taking their toll and retail, as a people intensive industry, is being hit hard. That said, many retailers are actively investing in their people to improve the quality and productivity of jobs per employee.
“Looking ahead to the Brexit negotiations for the next government; certainty for the EU colleagues working in the industry and a business tax environment fit for purpose in the 21st century are what’s needed for the retail industry to drive productivity with better jobs, innovation and new skills for the digital age.”
