// Retail job market took a blow in January, with job numbers & applications both falling year-on-year
// This is despite national growth in both areas, according to CV Library
The retail job market took a blow in the first month of 2020, with job numbers and applications both falling year-on-year despite national growth in both areas.
The latest research from job search website CV Library explores job market data from January 2020 and compares this with findings from the same period in 2019.
It found that retail businesses appear to have lost confidence in their hiring efforts, as job numbers fell 21.6 per cent year-on-year.
READ MORE: 10,000 retail jobs already lost since the start of the year
CV Library’s data also reveals that professionals are nervous about moving jobs, with applications falling by 18.8 per cent year-on-year.
Retail was also one of the few industries in the UK to experience falls in both jobs and applications, as troubles persist in the industry.
“Despite the UK witnessing a surge in jobs and applications in January, our data clearly shows that the retail industry has seriously bucked the trend,” CV Library chief executive Lee Biggins said.
“January is usually a busy month for hiring, but the significant year-on-year decline of both job vacancies and applications suggests that the sector is in serious trouble.
“This will be a bitter pill to swallow for retail businesses who are already struggling with sales and the death of the high street.”
Despite this, CV Library’s data also reveals that average salaries for new retail jobs rose by 8.4 per cent year-on-year – making it the third-highest increase amongst key industries.
“We know that a lot of businesses have had no choice but to push up their pay packets in order to entice people out of their current roles, but clearly this tactic has been unsuccessful in the retail sector,” Biggins said.
“Money isn’t the only motivator for today’s professionals and a higher salary alone won’t be enough to make your job adverts attractive.
“If you want to maximise your job openings, try to mention the aspects that will interest potential applicants, like a great company culture, development opportunities and staff discounts.
“Your company is probably a great place to work, so really try and sell it to candidates when you advertise your jobs.”
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