// Coronavirus pandemic & lockdowns contribute to 14% drop in retail jobs year-on-year
// Retail job applications also take a hit, plunging 29.8% year-on-year
New research has laid bare the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown on the retail jobs market, with applications and vacancies plummeting in March.
According to CV-Library, the number retail job vacancies dropped by 14 per cent year-on-year in March, and a decline of 2.8 per cent when compared to February.
The study also found that applications to retail jobs dropped by a massive 29.8 per cent year-on-year, and a smaller 1.7 per cent decline month-on-month.
READ MORE:
- Job numbers & job applications decline in UK retail
- Consumer confidence plunges at fastest rate in 40 years
- High street retailers suffer worst month on record
CV-Library chief executive Lee Biggins said it was “not surprising” that the Covid-19 pandemic has prevented retailers from moving forward with hiring plans.
He also said overall unemployment rates in the UK is set to soar in April.
“With global supply chains disrupted and many organisations forced to close their doors in order to respect social distancing rules, companies have had to change the way they operate and adapt to this new normal,” he said.
“Sadly, this has involved placing existing employees on furlough and even making redundancies.
“The national unemployment rate is set to soar in April and there’s no doubt that this will be a really tricky time for business owners across the UK.
“However, we will come out the other side of the pandemic and organisations need to be ready.
“Thankfully, key retail stores are able to remain open to service the needs of the British public and hopefully we should see our figures improve in the months to come.”
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
