UK retail: facts and figures

Some quick facts, figures and information about the UK retail industry. For more information contact info@retailappointment.co.uk

PEOPLE

The retail sector is the UK’s largest private sector employer with 2.9 million employees

66% of all retail employees work for the largest 75 retail companies

Retail’s gender profile is 58:42 women and men

Almost a third of retail employees are under 25 years old

Half of retail employees work part-time

18% of all retail staff are managers or senior officials

By 2017 the UK will have 3.3 million retail employees

There are approximately 287,000 retail outlets in the UK

Out of all VAT-registered businesses in the UK 9% are retailers

Retail sales reached a total value of £321 billion last year

9% of all retail sales were internet-based

More than a third of consumer spending goes through shops

Crime cost the industry £500 million in 2012/13

The top ten retailers by turnover are:

Tesco

Sainsbury's

Asda

Morrisons

Marks & Spencer

John Lewis Partnership

Co-operative Group

Alliance Boots

Home Retail Group

Kingfisher Group