The MBS Group has partnered with the BRC for the sixth year of research into diversity and inclusion across the UK retail sector.
The report combines three sources of insight. First, The MBS Group’s research, drawing on data from 200 of the UK’s leading retailers, conversations with Chairs, CEOs and HRDs, and analysis of leadership teams. Second, workforce data from the BRC’s Diversity & Inclusion Charter Signatories, encompassing 56 retailers representing a workforce of more than one million people. Third, the Employee Inclusion Index, developed in partnership with the Retail Trust, which assesses feelings of inclusion and belonging using responses from more than 26,000 retail employees.
This year’s findings show that retail continues to make meaningful progress, particularly at board level, where gender parity has now been achieved and representation across several underrepresented groups has improved. However, the research also highlights growing pressure on the leadership pipeline. Economic uncertainty, slower senior hiring and organisational restructuring are making it harder to sustain progress, with representation at Executive Committee and Direct Report level declining in some areas. At the same time, the D&I agenda is evolving, with organisations placing greater emphasis on inclusion, wellbeing, belonging and culture alongside representation.
Some key findings include:
- 88% of retailers have a coordinated D&I strategy.
- 80% have at least one senior leader who demonstrates social mobility.
- Gender parity has been achieved at board level.
- 70% of retailers now include neurodiversity within their D&I strategy.
- 54% of the retail workforce is made up of women.
Read the full report here.
