Retail should invest in upskilling workers to close skills gap

Retailers will need to invest in upskilling and reskilling staff to prevent a decline in older employees and appeal to the younger generation, says a report.

The report, Sector insights: skills and performance challenges in the retail sector, said that recruiting technically skilled people, as well as upskilling the existing workforce, is vital if businesses wish to adapt to the changing retail landscape.

The report says: “New technology requires workers to have up-to-date IT skills, which can be a challenge for older workers who are less likely to have good IT skills than younger workers.”

“To continue to attract younger workers, the opportunity to use and develop technology-based skills and knowledge within a retail career should be promoted.”