Marvin OnumonuRetail Trust and AlixPartners’ Retail People Index found worker wellbeing dropped from 61 to 57 in 2025.
Nearly half (49%) of workers went to work feeling ill at the end of the year, up from 40% at the start.
This was the highest level recorded since the wellbeing survey began nearly three years ago.
Flight risk rose to 56% in the last three months of 2025 compared to 47% at the start of the year.
Male retail staff were more likely to leave, with flight risk at 62%.
Additionally, research from Retail Trust found 43% of staff were abused or attacked every week last year, up 10% in 2024.
Chris Brook-Carter, CEO of Retail Trust, said: “Retail worker wellbeing failed to improve at any point throughout 2025, and there were also big increases in flight risk and the number of people working while unwell across the industry.
“Retailers cannot afford to see these measurements of wellbeing worsen or even remain the same this year.
“Budgets are naturally coming under strain, but employers must invest in new measures to help staff cope with ongoing uncertainty around their jobs, the stress of working within under-resourced teams and the fear of facing abuse on the shop floor if they are to help raise morale.”
Laura Bond, director at AlixPartners, said: “Retail leaders are operating in a tough environment where employee sentiment remains fragile.
“With wellbeing having declined across the industry last year, a sustained focus on the employee experience is essential.
“While numbers are falling, retail is still a people business, and it is encouraging that more organisations are starting to recognise this and prioritise meaningful action.”
Bond added: “The priority is now consistency and follow through.
“Equipping managers to build trust-based, rewarding relationships with their teams will be critical to embedding progress.
“Those organisations that create supportive, motivating work environments will be best positioned to build resilience, lift engagement and protect performance in the year ahead.”
