Retail hours worked drops ‘sharply’ in second quarter

The number of hours worked in the retail industry dropped by an average of 2.8% in the three months to July, as staff seek “greater flexibility in their workforces”.

The British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) latest retail employment monitor shows hours worked by employees on full time contracts dropped more sharply this quarter, as retailers attempt to “cope with the pressure” felt from the diverging costs of labour versus technology.

BRC CEO, Helen Dickinson, said: “The retail industry stands ready to work in partnership with government to upskill the retail workforce as the transformation of retail continues and digital skills become more crucial.

“Less rigidity and more flexibility as well as future thinking by the government in how apprenticeship levy funds can be used would facilitate more positive change more quickly.”