// The latest ONS jobs figures show 3.042m jobs in retail, up 1,000 year-on-year
// The number of salaried employees in the UK has risen by 197,000 to 28.5 million
According to the latest numbers from the Office for National Statistics, there were 3.042 million employment in retail in the first quarter of 2021, up 1,000 from the first quarter of 2020.
Overall, the number of salaried employees in the UK climbed for the sixth month in a row in May 2021, rising by 197,000 to 28.5 million.
This is, however, 553,000 less than before the coronavirus pandemic.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “UK retail gained 1,000 jobs as compared with Q1 2020, though this includes over half a million workers on furlough at the time.”
“The year-on-year rise also reflects the many jobs that have been created in logistics, fulfilment and food retail, as well as the many technical roles required by the huge growth in online sales, with many retailers still struggling to fill the number of vacancies in these areas.
“These jobs are often more productive and better paid, reflecting a trend in the industry.
“This is only part of the changing nature of retail employment, diversity and inclusion is essential to a healthy industry.
“While progress has started to be made, notably on senior representation of women, they continue to be under-represented at board level. There is much further to go to ensure that retail leadership is representative of the UK population in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, LGBTQ+, disability and social mobility.”
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