Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to protect the labour workforce as more retail stores transition to online sales and services.

The Government recognises the opportunities bricks and mortar businesses can create by developing online services and supports the workforce by offering extensive skills and employment support for individuals who might be affected. The Retail Sector Council has identified skills and employment as two of their priority areas of work and government continues to work closely with the Council to consider the future needs of the sector.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics[1] show that the proportion of total retail sales made online peaked at 37.8% in January 2021, before falling back. The proportion of sales made online has remained broadly consistent at around 26% since February 2023.

[1] ONS, Internet sales as a percentage of total retail sales (ratio) (%), June 2023.