The Sector Skills Council for retail is Skillsmart which covers approximately 2.7 million employees – more than 10% of the national workforce. 

Employment in retail is predicted to increase through to 2012.

All regions are forecast to experience an increase in employment in retail with the following regions predicted to experience above average increases:

• East of England (22%)
• South West (12%)
• West Midlands (11%)

The dominance of sales assistant and retail cashier occupations in the sector will continue, and increase.

Over 60% of employees in retail are women.  46% of all employees in the sector are women who work part-time.  Women working in retail full-time still earn on average 25% less per hour than men.  Women who work part-time in the sector earn 46% less per hour than men who work full-time in retail. 

17% of employees in retail have no qualifications and there is a tension in the sector between the desire that skills in customer service/sales occupations are recognized, but a traditional preference by employers for personal attributes rather than formal qualifications and scepticism as to the value and relevance of qualifications.

Skillsmart’s aims include:

• reducing skills gaps within the sector
• increasing the opportunities to boost the skills of everyone in the sector workforce while ensuring equality of opportunity for all
• improving the learning supply
• promoting and raising the profile of employment and career opportunities within retailing
• devising and implementing activities to increase participation and investment in learning by employers and individuals within the sector
• improving learning opportunities for existing and potential members of the workforce to develop their skills to meet the needs of the sector