New entrants into retail will be required because the sector is expanding and creating new jobs, and to replace people leaving the sector due to reasons such as retirement or getting a job in a different sector.  Retail has a tradition of very high staff turnover – given the difficulties the sector faces in attracting new entrants, improving retention is a priority. 

The total net requirement (i.e. the number of employees needed due to expansion and replacement demand), indicates how employment levels are forecast to change in the future.  The occupation that will have by far the largest net requirement is sales which is predominantly from replacement demand. Combined with predicted expansion in the sector, this suggests an even more acute pressure in the labour market. 

Source: Harris and Church 2002