// UK retailers need to do more in terms of diversity and inclusion among its top executives, a new report has found
// Despite 93% of retailers committing to improve their diversity and inclusion, the BRC and the MBS Group found retailers had only made small progress
Retailers’ efforts to improve their diversity and inclusion are not resulting in meaningful change, a recent report has found.
Despite 93% of retailers committing to improve their diversity and inclusion, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and The MBS Group found retailers had only made small progress.
The research analysed the performance of 200 industry-leading businesses, focusing on the highest leadership levels.
BRC CEO Helen Dickinson said: “I know this will take time, but equally, we must not rest on our laurels.
“While the will is there, until every individual – no matter their background – feels they can reach their true potential in the workplace, we are failing.”
While ethnic diversity on boards has gone up by 5% since 2021, 30% are still all-white.
Meanwhile, 4% of companies across the FTSE 100 have all-white board members.
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In terms of gender, women were found to take up 37.8% of seats at retail boards, marking a 5% increase since 2021.
Four in five companies were also found to be focusing on disability under their diversity and inclusion efforts, while 65% are now considering social mobility.
Despite this, two thirds of retailers were found to have no specific targets implemented to track their progress, although larger focus on data collection turned out to be one of the most effective changes retailers had made.
The MBS Group’s managing partner Elliott Goldstein said: “Our advice is for retailers to take a step back and re-evaluate the impact of their D&I activity.
“Just as with any commercial objective, leaders need to know what is working, where investment is effective – and tweak the plan accordingly. I’m confident that with deliberate and urgent action, we will see progress.”
Back in 2021, UK retail was found to be lagging behind in terms of diversity and inclusion measures, despite them becoming increasingly common in businesses.
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