Fear of a ‘jobless generation’ as retail roles hit record low

THE country faces the prospect of having a “jobless generation” of young people, a leading industry body has warned — as the number of roles in the retail sector fell to a record low.

- BY FELIX ARMSTRONG

There were an average of 2.8 million retail jobs last year, 68,000 fewer than in 2024. The British Retail Consortium has warned the dramatic loss of positions in the sector threatens one of the key routes into employment which many young people rely on.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said that almost 400,000 jobs had been lost in the sector over the past decade. She said: “People everywhere are struggling to find jobs. Youth employment is falling faster still, and the UK faces the prospect of a jobless generation.