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Network Journal 2005 Issue 2 |
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Retail sector under pressure as sales and job vacancies slow down
Some high street retailers are feeling the pinch as consumers continue to keep their hands in their pockets, a new survey has shown.
Morrisons, Woolworths, Dixons and JJB Sports have all reported a decline in sales, reinforcing industry figures which show sales at a ten-year low.
Tesco however continues to prosper and Sainsbury's has been tipped to overtake Asda/Wal-Mart as the nation's second biggest supermarket.
Meanwhile job vacancies in the sector have fallen sharply in the last four months, recent research has revealed. Analysts believe the general election may explain employers' reluctance to advertise new positions.
General secretary John Hannett doubts the sector is all doom and gloom. "These reports paint an unduly pessimistic picture of the retail sector which remains one of the great success stories in the most stable economy for decades.
"It's worth remembering that 250,000 more people now work in the retail sector since 1997 and employees are able to find new opportunities relatively quickly as highly trained experienced staff remain at a premium in the retail sector.
"The major supermarket chains are still expanding rapidly, both at retail parks and in city centres, which will provide more opportunities for retail workers."
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