Health of retail report 2024

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: “Retail is the largest employer outside the public sector, so these findings have profound implications for the UK workforce. Many retailers are already taking important steps to address poor mental wellbeing within their organisations but more clearly still needs to be done and especially for those most affected, like younger workers and call centre staff.

“While retail employers may not be responsible for causing their staff’s mental health issues, they are paying the price in absenteeism and underperformance. They must continue to invest in training, create more positive work cultures, and implement preventative measures to mitigate the mental health challenges their workers face.”