The Contribution Of The Retail Sector
This report reviews the debate about retail and regeneration, spotlighting those people actually working in (or who have worked in) the retail sector. At the heart of this report are the findings of a survey by Ipsos of a nationally representative sample of the adult general public, undertaken in two waves of omnibus during 2006.
The survey sought data regarding the nature of employment in retailing and both positive and negative aspects. Some nine main positive aspects were examined and grouped under four main headings: careers and communities, personal development, family and other commitments and retail and regeneration.
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Topline Results
- Fieldwork dates: 30 March - 3 April and 12-19 April 2006
- All figures in percentages
- Base: British adults (4,090) unless otherwise stated
- Questionnaire placed on two consecutive waves of the Ipsos Omnibus
- An asterisk represents a percentage less than 0.5 but greater than zero
- Numbers may not always add up to 100% due to computer rounding or multiple answers
Q1 At what, if any, stages in your life have you ever worked in a shop or for the retail sector? By retail sector we mean in a shop, a retail outlet or in a shop or retail outlet's head office or other associated office or warehouse or for distribution within the retail sector, etc. We do not mean in a catering outlet, bar, café or restaurant. And have you worked in a shop or for the retail sector at any other stage?
| % | |
|---|---|
| NO - Have never worked in a shop or for the Retail sector | 56 |
| YES - Have worked in a shop or for the Retail sector | |
| Currently have a … | |
| … part time retail job (up to 15 hours a week) | 2 |
| … part time retail job (16 to 29 hours a week) | 2 |
| … full time retail job (30 hours or more a week) | 3 |
| Used to have a … (within the last 5 years) | |
| … part time retail job (up to 15 hours a week) | 3 |
| … part time retail job (16 to 29 hours a week) | 2 |
| … full time retail job (30 hours or more a week) | 3 |
| Used to have a … (longer than 5 years ago) | |
| … part time retail job (up to 15 hours a week) | 6 |
| … part time retail job (16 to 29 hours a week) | 4 |
| … full time retail job (30 hours or more a week) | 12 |
| Part time retail job while at school (up to 29 hours a week) | 6 |
| Part time retail job while at university / higher education (up to 29 hours a week) | 2 |
| Full time retail job while at school (30 hours or more a week) | * |
| Full time retail job while at university / higher education (30 hours or more a week) | * |
| Don't know | 2 |
Q1a You said that you have worked in a shop or for the retail sector while at school or university / higher education. Can you tell me how long ago that was? Base: All who have worked in the retail sector while at school / university / higher education (348)
| % | |
|---|---|
| Currently at school or university / higher education | 5 |
| Within the last 5 years | 11 |
| Longer than 5 years ago | 84 |
| Don't know / refused | * |
Q2 In what capacity do you or have you ever worked in a shop or in the retail sector? And in which other capacity? Base: All who have worked in the retail sector (1,724)
| % | |
|---|---|
| Sales person / shop floor / checkout or till | 74 |
| Shelf filling / replenishment | 24 |
| Management at a shop / branch level | 13 |
| Management at a regional or head office | 2 |
| Other administrative / office job in the retail sector | 8 |
| Distribution / distribution centre / warehousing | 8 |
| Buying / merchandising | 4 |
| Security in the retail sector | 2 |
| Cleaning in the retail sector | 5 |
| Other aspect of the retail sector | 6 |
| Don't know | * |
Q3 Thinking specifically about the time you have spent working in a shop or within the retail sector. In general, which, if any, of the following do or did you consider to be the positive aspects of working within this sector? Which others? Base: All who have worked in the retail sector in the past 5 years (585)
| % | |
|---|---|
| Flexible working hours | 33 |
| Is not a 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday job | 13 |
| Provides job security | 15 |
| Enables you to work as a team | 33 |
| Have friendly colleagues | 46 |
| Enables you to meet interesting people | 39 |
| Enables you to have contact with customers | 36 |
| Increases your self-confidence | 33 |
| Helps you get another job / is a "stepping stone" to another job in the retail sector | 16 |
| Helps you get another job / is a "stepping stone" to another job in a sector other than retail | 10 |
| Is a good first job to help you find a job in areas other than retail | 11 |
| Helps pay for your education | 16 |
| Is close to where you live | 42 |
| Can fit around looking after children | 15 |
| Can fit around looking after other family members / care for others | 10 |
| Sell interesting products or services | 14 |
| Enables you to work for an interesting company | 10 |
| Provides you with skills | 30 |
| To earn money | 65 |
| Other please specify | 2 |
| None of these | 2 |
| Don't know | 1 |
Q4-9 I am about to read out a number of statements and would like you to think of your current job in the retail sector, or if you are no longer in the retail sector, think back to previous jobs in the retail sector. For each statement, please could you tell me the extent to which you agree or disagree? Base: All who have worked in the retail sector in the past 5 years (585)
| Strongly agree | Tend to agree | Neither agree nor disagree | Tend to disagree | Strongly disagree | No opinion | Not applicable | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | % | % | % | % | % | |
| Working in the retail sector allows you to fit your working life around your home life commitments | 19 | 46 | 16 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Working in the retail sector is a good way of starting a career or work life | 14 | 55 | 17 | 10 | 4 | 1 | * |
| Working in the retail sector has helped to improve my skills and employability | 26 | 50 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| The retail sector provides / provided the best job opportunities wherever I live / lived | 9 | 42 | 21 | 18 | 8 | * | 2 |
| Retail companies generally have a positive impact on the local communities in which they operate | 16 | 57 | 17 | 6 | 2 | 1 | * |
| The retail sector makes an important contribution to employment in the communities in which it operates | 31 | 59 | 6 | 3 | * | 0 | * |
