Nearly half of retail staff went to work ill at the end of 2025, says report

23rd February 2026

Almost half (49%) of retail staff went into work while unwell at the end of 2025, up 40% from the start of the year, according to the latest Retail People Index.

The Retail People Index is a study conducted by The Retail Trust and global consulting company, Alixpartners.

Research highlighted that worker morale was lower than at the start of the year, while 56% of staff were at risk of leaving their jobs by the end of 2025. It also found that 62% of male staff were likely to quit.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed UK retail jobs fell to a record low of 2.76m in September 2025 and that there had been warnings that the new Employment Rights Bill and rising costs could lead to further job cuts.

Retail Trust CEO Chris Brook-Carter said: “Retail worker wellbeing failed to improve at any point throughout 2025, and there were also big increases in flight risk and the number of people working while unwell across the industry.

“Retailers cannot afford to see these measurements of wellbeing worsen or even remain the same this year. Budgets are naturally coming under strain, but employers must invest in new measures to help staff cope with ongoing uncertainty around their jobs, the stress of working within under-resourced teams and the fear of facing abuse on the shop floor if they are to help raise morale.”

Research from the Retail Trust found that 43% of retail staff were abused or attacked every week last year.

The Index measures responses to the Retail Trust’s online happiness health check

AlixPartners director Laura Bond added: “Retail leaders are operating in a tough environment where employee sentiment remains fragile.

“With well-being having declined across the industry last year, a sustained focus on the employee experience is essential. While numbers are falling, retail is still a people business, and it is encouraging that more organisations are starting to recognise this and prioritise meaningful action. The priority is now consistency and follow through.

“Equipping managers to build trust-based, rewarding relationships with their teams will be critical to embedding progress. Those organisations that create supportive, motivating work environments will be best positioned to build resilience, lift engagement and protect performance in the year ahead.”