Retail worker wellbeing has stabilised following a challenging 2025, but stress and anxiety has continued to affect employees across the industry, with those aged between 25 and 44 facing the greatest challenges, according to new research.
The latest Retail People Index, from the Retail Trust and global consulting firm AlixPartners, has found that overall wellbeing remained relatively steady at 61% between April and June 2026, down just one point from the previous quarter but two points higher than the same period last year.
The Index calculates retail worker wellbeing scores out of a possible 100, with scores below 60 indicating that people are struggling. Employees aged between 25 and 44 recorded the lowest wellbeing score of any age group at just 58% (down one point on Q1 figures), making it the only age group to fall below the Index's threshold for those struggling.
This offers a stark contrast with those aged between 19 and 24 and those aged between 45 and 64, who scored 64% and 65% respectively.
Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of the retail industry charity, the Retail Trust, said: “It's encouraging that the recovery in retail worker wellbeing seen at the start of the year has largely been maintained, following a difficult 2025. “But a steady overall score can conceal very different experiences across the workforce.
"With 25 to 44-year-olds facing particular pressure, employers need to understand where staff are struggling most and ensure the right support reaches them early, before mounting pressures begin to affect their health, happiness and hope for the future.”
The latest findings also indicate that nearly four in ten retail employees (39%) remain at risk of going into work despite feeling physically or mentally unwell. This is an improvement on 44% during the same period last year, although the figure rises to 46% among customer service workers, who are also more likely to report feeling anxious than colleagues in other areas of the business.
In addition, the research found that women are more likely to be at risk of working while unwell, at 40% compared with 36% of men, despite reporting better support from managers, recognition and ability to manage stress at work. They are also more likely to report feeling anxious, with pressures outside the workplace potentially contributing to their poorer wellbeing.
The proportion of retail workers considered a 'flight risk', a measure of those who may be looking to leave their jobs, has also fallen by seven percentage points over the last year to 47%. However, this has risen slightly from 45% in the previous quarter, with higher reported levels of anxiety potentially contributing to the increase.
Distribution centre workers are significantly more likely to consider leaving their jobs than employees in any other part of the business - with a flight risk of 59%, compared to stores (49%), head office (39%) and, the lowest, customer services (38%).
Managers are also more likely to consider quitting than non-managers, at 49% compared with 46%, with stress being the biggest differentiator between the two groups, suggesting the additional pressures associated with leadership roles may be influencing intentions to leave.
Jonathan Permberthy, a Director from the retail practice at global consulting firm, AlixPartners, concluded: “Retail workers are holding steady, but stability shouldn’t be mistaken for security. The pressures are still there, and the businesses that act on the early signals now will be best placed to build resilience and make better decisions for their people.”