Data in this section refer to retail and distribution.

Across all regions, the majority of establishments are experiencing skills gaps amongst their sales workforce, with the problems particularly apparent in the East and West Midlands and the North West. 

Problems are also being experienced amongst the managerial ranks with over half of London establishments in the retail and wholesale distribution industry experiencing skills gaps.  London faces acute pressures because of the concentrations of higher order organisation functions in the capital. 

The same pressures are associated with the 42% of establishments in the Eastern region reporting managerial skills gaps.  The situation is summarised in the following table.

Source: Harris and Church 2002