Zarah ChoudharyThe British Retail Consortium has warned that up to 160,000 part-time jobs in the retail sector could be lost over the next three years as a result of the rising costs of employment, driven by measures announced at the last Budget.
Retail remains the largest private sector employer, with the industry and its supply chains accounting for more than a third of local jobs in 20% of Parliamentary constituencies.
There are currently more than 1.5 million part-time jobs in retail, accounting for a little over half of all retail jobs.
This includes students making extra money during their studies, parents working around childcare, and seasonal workers providing vital support during the peak trading periods.
Rising employer National Insurance Contributions and the National Living Wage will add £5bn to retailers’ labour costs in 2025 alone, putting pressure on the industry to cut back on employment.
Part-time roles are particularly susceptible to the upcoming changes in the employer NICs thresholds, with retailers set to be taxed for any employee earning more than £5,000 – down from the current level of £9,100.
These effects would be compounded by some of the proposed changes under the Employment Rights Bill, which could force firms to reduce the number of local, flexible jobs.
This would have the biggest impact on part-time workers, including seasonal and student jobs.
Almost a fifth of retail colleagues are under the age of 25; with up to one in 10 part-time jobs at risk, in addition to many entry-level roles, many young people could miss out on these opportunities.
This call to protect part-time jobs comes as the British Retail Consortium launches its 2025 Manifesto for Retail, which outlines a path for the retail industry to help kick start investment in growth, people, and sustainability across the UK.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Retail is a key source of employment right across the economy.
“The industry and its supply chains account for a third of jobs in one-fifth of UK constituencies and retail plays a vital role in upskilling the workforce and boosting productivity growth, currently spending £4 billion a year on training.
“Retail has long offered the first rung of the career ladder to hundreds of thousands of young people, playing a vital role in communities up and down the country.
“However, between rising employer National Insurance Contributions, higher NLW costs, and incoming employment regulations, the government may be kicking away the ladder for the next generation.
“One in ten part-time retail roles are now at risk of being lost.
“Retailers face a mountain of costs from the Budget and while they continue to absorb costs where they can, higher prices and job losses are inevitable.
“If the government can find ways of mitigating the £7bn of costs facing the industry this year, as well as ensuring a pragmatic approach to the Employment Rights Bill that focuses on tackling unscrupulous employers, protecting employees while supporting employment, then many jobs would be saved.”
