// Figures show that 83,725 retail jobs were lost over the year due to administrations
// The pandemic resulted in 15,153 store closures in shopping destinations across the UK
New figures have revealed that almost 190,000 jobs have been lost in the retail sector since stores were first forced to close their doors a year ago.
In exclusive data for the PA news agency, the Centre for Retail Research has revealed that 188,685 retail jobs have disappeared between the start of the first coronavirus lockdown on 23 March 2020 and 31 March this year.
The figures come less than two weeks before non-essential shops are set to reopen their doors to customers in England on 12 April following the third nationwide lockdown.
It was revealed that 83,725 jobs lost in the period were via administrations, including major collapses by big name retailers such as Debenhams and Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group.
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Meanwhile, approximately 11,986 jobs were cut during CVA restructuring processes while 92,974 jobs were axed through rationalisation programmes, which included Sainsbury’s and Asda cutting thousands of roles.
Figures also stated that the pandemic resulted in 15,153 store closures in shopping destinations across the UK,
According to the real estate adviser Altus Group, up to 401,690 shops are shuttered around the country and could reopen in the next stage of the prime minister’s roadmap out of lockdown later this month.
Despite this, many retail bosses have aired concerns that the high street will still pose a series of challenges for retailers as business rates payments will return for many.
with PA Wires
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