Retail employment in the UK has dropped to its lowest level in over a decade, with steep decreases across full-time and part-time roles, according to data and expert analysis. Key pressures include rising employer costs and proposed legislation that may reduce hiring flexibility. Declining retail employment and part-time job losses The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported there were 2.73 million jobs in retail in June 2025. Using a four-quarter average to smooth seasonal effects, that number f ...