Manager support improves retail worker wellbeing in Q1

Better relationships between managers and teams have halted a 12-month decline in retail worker wellbeing, according to the latest Retail People Index from the Retail Trust and AlixPartners.

The research revealed that overall wellbeing scores rose to 62 out of 100 between January and March 2026, spelling a rise from 57 at the end of 2025.

The improvement coincided with stronger relationships between managers and staff, which reached their highest level in 18 months during the first three months of the year. The score of 62 represents a move above the 60-point threshold, below which the Retail Trust and AlixPartners indicate workers are likely to be struggling with their mental health.

Despite the improvement, the Index revealed that frontline staff remain unhappier and more likely to leave work or work through sickness, than head office colleagues.

However, the Index highlighted a 9% fall in the number of retail employees likely to leave their jobs. It also showed an 11% drop in those going into work while unwell during the first three months of 2026.

Store and distribution centre workers reported the highest risk of leaving and highest presenteeism scores. Nearly half (49%) of distribution workers and 47% of store workers remain a ‘flight risk’, compared to 36% of head office staff.

Some 40% of distribution and store employees went into work despite feeling physically or mentally unwell between January and March 2026, compared with 30% of their head office colleagues.

Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of the Retail Trust, said: “Retail workers are still battling job insecurity, high living costs and too many incidents of crime and abuse, and this is impacting those working on the frontline of retail the most, but the help they are receiving from their employers appears to have improved this year.

“This rise in overall wellbeing and relationships between managers and staff is testament to a renewed investment in leaders and the impact this can have on everyone’s ability to turn up to work feeling happier, healthier and more productive. Retail employers must now build on this work by ensuring those in stores and distribution centres get even more targeted support.”