UK retail employment has fallen to its lowest level on record, with the British Retail Consortium warning that higher employment costs are reducing entry-level and flexible jobs. The Office for National Statistics reported 2.76 million retail jobs in March 2026, while the four-quarter average stood at 2.79 million in the first quarter of 2026, down 66,000 from a year earlier and 398,000 fewer than a decade ago. The BRC said increases in employer National Insurance Contributions and the National Living Wage have added £6.5 billion in employment costs over a 14-month period. Full-time retail jobs averaged 1.27 million and part-time roles 1.52 million, with part-time employment falling by 235,000 over ten years. BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said rising costs are choking off opportunities and urged the government to bring down the cost of employing young people.