The number of people who gained employment in the retail sector in the UK last year was up by 0.5 per cent on the year before, showing a decent improvement for the market as a whole.

According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the number of employers who were employing new staff in the final quarter of 2011 saw a rise as they looked to take on more people to deal with the Christmas demand.

However, it was not all good news as the retail jobs sector looks to be hit this quarter, with 38 per cent of all employers telling the BRC that they expect they may have to cut the number of staff they have.

BRC director-general Stephen Robertson said: "Following reductions in non-food staff numbers during 2011, we're now seeing stores close.

"Retailers are focused on reducing costs and reviewing property portfolios, which means employment prospects are weakening."

Last week, the Office for National Statistics reported that UK unemployment had hit an overall 17-year high.

Posted by Alex Donnell