
Low Income & In-Work Benefits: Many retail staff are eligible for in-work benefits because they earn below the "real Living Wage," with one report in 2021 noting that over two-fifths of all supermarket workers fell into this category.
Current Low Pay Landscape (2025-2026):
Persistent Low Pay:
In 2025, 29% of retail and wholesale jobs were paid below the real Living Wage.
Highest Number of Low-Paid Jobs:
The retail and wholesale industry has the highest number of jobs paid below the real Living Wage, with over one million low-paid jobs in 2025.
Retail Roles Affected:
Sales occupations, such as retail assistants, have the highest concentration of low pay, with over 650,000 jobs (50.9%) paid below the real Living Wage in 2025.
Regional Disparities:
Areas with the highest proportion of jobs below the real Living Wage included the North East (18.8%), Northern Ireland (17.3%), and the East Midlands (17.2%).
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