Employment in the retail sector rose by 2.1% year on year in Q3, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-Bond Pearce Retail Employment Monitor

The monitor reveals the rise is equivalent to a net increase of 12,746 retail jobs and has been driven by a 4.2% net increase in store openings in the three months to September, compared with the same period last year – an additional 652 retail outlets. 

The monitor also shows 61% of retailers intend to increase staffing levels in the next three months, compared with 54% this time last year.

Meanwhile, 39% indicate they would maintain staffing levels and no retailers suggest that they were planning to reduce staffing levels in the next three months.