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More than 420,000 ‘Brick-and-Mortar’ Jobs Lost in the UK Since 2010

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The GMB Union has released new figures for retail job losses as the last Wilko stores close.

More than 420,000 traditional retail jobs have been lost since 2010, sparking fears that the high street may be in ‘terminal decline’. 

New GMB analysis shows that 420,242 traditional retail jobs have gone – a decline of 28.4% – since the Conservatives took power. 

The figures emerge as the last Wilko stores close their doors for the final time, costing 12,500 workers their jobs after the much-loved chain collapsed. 

GMB will tell the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool that more retail jobs will be lost unless economic reforms are made.  Delegates are due to debate a GMB motion which calls for the UK’s ‘archaic’ system of business rates to be replaced, alongside better protections for workers who are made redundant.  

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The union also wants tougher sentences when retail workers experience violence and other abuse. 

The final hundred Wilko stores closed yesterday marking the end of the 93-year-old chain’s operations. The taxpayer is expected to pick up the more than £25 million cost of making Wilko workers redundant. 

Better support for communities and workers who face redundancy is urgently needed. 

Andy Prendergast, GMB National Secretary, says: “High street retail is at the heart of our communities, but customers and workers are denied a fair deal. 

“These shocking figures are a wakeup call that Wilko was not the first, and it will not be the last. 

“Better support for communities and workers who face redundancy is urgently needed. 

“That’s why GMB is calling on the Labour Party to enact its pledge to replace the business rates system, strengthen redundancy rights, and establish minimum ownership requirements for critical national retailers. 

“Otherwise, the high street faces terminal decline.” 

Estimated brick and mortar retail jobs by nation and region 

Nation / region 2010 2023 Change (n) Change (%) 
East Midlands 103,723 84,542 -19,181 -18.5 
London 168,190 123,753 -44,437 -26.4 
North East 69,276 50,249 -19,027 -27.5 
Northern Ireland 43,492 40,617 -2,875 -6.6 
Scotland 153,550 88,072 -65,478 -42.6 
South East 205,337 135,579 -69,758 -34.0 
South West 113,790 88,294 -25,496 -22.4 
Wales 78,368 49,207 -29,161 -37.2 
West Midlands 134,920 89,534 -45,386 -33.6 
Yorkshire and Humberside 125,814 77,600 -48,214 -38.3 
United Kingdom 1,482,229 1,061,987 -420,242 -28.4 

Source: GMB analysis of ONS Labour Force Survey data April-June 2010 and April-June 2023 (the latest quarter for which figures are available). 
 
‘Brick and mortar’ retail jobs are measured by the occupational codes 7111 (‘sales and retail assistants’) and 7112 (‘retail cashiers and check-out operators’). These codes may not capture all retail jobs in physical stores and they do not cover retail distribution jobs.

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GMB Union

GMB is a trade union that represents all workers in the United Kingdom. We have over 500,000 members who work in every type of job imaginable across public services and in private companies too. Our members work in full-time jobs, part-time jobs or are working while they study. GMB’s job is very simple: to get the best deal possible for you. When you’re at work, it’s always good to know that someone is on your side - that’s our job.

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  • Gmb

    GMB is a trade union that represents all workers in the United Kingdom. We have over 500,000 members who work in every type of job imaginable across public services and in private companies too. Our members work in full-time jobs, part-time jobs or are working while they study. GMB’s job is very simple: to get the best deal possible for you. When you’re at work, it’s always good to know that someone is on your side - that’s our job.

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