The British Retail Consortium has warned that planned employment reforms could make it harder for retailers to offer entry-level roles.
New Opinium polling commissioned by the BRC found 80 per cent of UK adults believe part-time work, including traditional Saturday jobs, plays an important role in helping young people enter employment.
Support rises to 91 per cent among those aged 55 and over, with the retail body arguing the findings underline the continued value of flexible work as a first step into the labour market.
Retail and its supply chain currently account for 23 per cent of all youth employment, with around 780,000 jobs held by 16 to 25-year-olds.
More than half, 55 per cent, of those young retail workers are employed part-time.
The BRC said Saturday jobs allow young people to earn their first wage, build workplace experience and develop skills and confidence alongside education and other commitments.
However, the trade body warned those opportunities were coming under increasing pressure after the retail sector lost almost 400,000 jobs over the past decade.
It said retailers had also been hit with an additional £6.5bn in employment costs over the past two years following rises to the National Living Wage and employer National Insurance Contributions.
The intervention comes after government figures indicated its Guaranteed Hours proposals could cost businesses an additional £2.9bn.
BRC calls for changes to Guaranteed Hours plans
The BRC is urging ministers to ensure Guaranteed Hours reforms under the Employment Rights Act do not make it more difficult for retailers to create flexible, entry-level jobs.
Retail staffing requirements can fluctuate significantly throughout the year, with businesses typically offering more hours during busy trading periods and reducing them when demand eases.
The trade body warned that if temporary increases in hours are converted into permanent contractual commitments, retailers may become more cautious about creating flexible roles in the first place.
It is calling for the reforms to remain proportionate, while also urging the government to increase the National Insurance Contributions threshold to encourage entry-level hiring and retain the separate National Minimum Wage rate for 18 to 20-year-olds.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “For generations, Saturday jobs have given young people their first experience of work, helping them build confidence, develop new skills and take the first step in their careers.
“Retail has proudly provided these opportunities for millions of people, but they are becoming harder to sustain.”
She added: “If the Burnham government is serious about tackling youth unemployment, it must not make it harder to create entry-level jobs.
“After £6.5 billion in additional employment costs over the past two years, businesses need policies that encourage recruiting young people, not discourage it. That means reducing the cost of employing young people, and proportionate Guaranteed Hours reforms.”
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