UK retail jobs fell to 2.88 million in December 2024, the lowest since records began in 1996.
The four-quarter average was 2.84 million, down 70,000 from 2023 and 249,000 from five years ago.
Rising costs, including wage bill hike, are driving job cuts.
Part-time roles are most at risk, with up to 160,000 more losses expected in three years.