Health of retail report 2025

It’s been another extraordinary year in the retail world and this report gives a no-holds-barred snapshot into exactly how employees are feeling and how people leaders are responding. For anyone involved in wellbeing and engagement strategies, the insight, trends and recommended action plans in the report make for critical reading.

Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of the Retail Trust: “It’s thanks to the tireless work of UK retailers over the last year that our latest health of retail report has revealed a clear drop in presenteeism and absenteeism across the industry. This is because more people knew where to find the right support for themselves and their teams, with new measures and policies that provided the help they need. And it is despite the current pressures facing the sector and those working within it, with the high cost of living, customer abuse, uncertainty around job security and higher workloads having the most detrimental impact on wellbeing this year.

“Our report has identified these challenges and those most effected by them, with Gen Z staff, store workers and managers, and people at bigger retailers found to be struggling the most. But it also shares best practice examples of how employers in every sector of retail are stepping up to support their people, whether it be through financial education, more training and support for customer-facing staff, clearer communication to address the changing market conditions and new ways of upskilling and developing their people.

“Above all, I’m impressed by the industry’s huge strides in focusing in on exactly what makes retail such a brilliant place to work and build a career in, something we at the Retail Trust are passionate about. A strong workplace culture, positive working environment and proud sense of belonging are never more important to employees than in challenging times and the best retail businesses are helping their colleagues to feel much safer, happier and healthier as a result.”