Number of retail job vacancies lower than pre-pandemic, ONS finds

The number of job vacancies in the wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles category fell by 10,000 in Q2, the highest volume decrease of any category, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

This category also has 37,000 fewer vacancies than its pre-pandemic level, the largest level decrease relative to pre-pandemic levels of any category.

The estimated total number of vacancies decreased by 5.8% from the previous quarter, falling in 16 out of the 18 industry sectors. Meanwhile, the total estimated number of vacancies across the whole job market was 77,000 (9.7%) below its January to March 2020 pre-pandemic level.

Total vacancies decreased by 145,000 (16.8%) when comparing May to July 2025 with the same period last year. There were declines in 16 of the 18 industry sectors.

Overall, the estimated number of payrolled employees in the UK fell by 149,000 (0.5%) between June 2024 and June 2025, and by 26,000 (0.1%) between May 2025 and June 2025.

The early estimate of payrolled employees for July 2025 decreased by 164,000 (0.5%) on the year, and by 8,000 (0.0%) on the month, to 30.3 million. Although the ONS stressed that the July 2025 estimate should be treated as a provisional estimate and is likely to be revised when more data are received next month.

Despite this, the UK employment rate for people aged 16 to 64 years was estimated at 75.3% in April to June 2025. This is above estimates of a year ago, and up in the latest quarter.

Furthermore, The UK unemployment rate for people aged 16 years and over was estimated at 4.7% in April to June 2025, above estimates of a year ago, and up in the latest quarter.

Dee Corsi, chair of High Streets UK said: “The latest figures on the UK jobs market are a reminder that the growing cost of doing business has a tangible impact on the prospects of working people. With trading conditions already challenging, and margins in sectors like retail, hospitality and leisure razor thin, businesses can no longer absorb any further costs.

“The Government’s proposed business rates reforms – which would dramatically raise the rates bill for anchor stores across the country – will place an unsustainable burden on flagship, city centre high streets. These locations are key drivers of economic growth and job creation, but current plans put that at risk.”