Retail and the economy

The British Retail and Consortium (BRC) Parliamentary Reception 2010 will take place in London

next week to put retail and the economy high on the agenda. The theme will be the role that retail plays in employment, skills and training, particularly under the new political landscape.

According to the BRC, the leading trade association for the UK retail industry, the retail sector has continued to recruit staff in spite of the recent economic downturn and employs around three million people nationally, providing vital jobs and services across the country. The BRC-Bond Pearce Retail Employment Monitor showed a 3.6 per cent rise in retail jobs year-on-year to the second quarter of 2010 – more than 22,000 new jobs created, despite the challenging economic circumstances. The annual reception will celebrate and explore retail's contribution to employment and skills development as well as provide an opportunity to speak to retailers large and small about their employment record and commitment to developing employees' skills. The Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, as well as Luke Mayhew, Chairman of the BRC and the Co-Chairs of the All Party Retail Group will be addressing the reception on Tuesday 2 November at the prestigious Terrace Pavilion of the House of Commons.