Retail Jobs Report 2025

Retail is evolving faster than ever — not just in how consumers shop, but in how companies hire.

Retail jobs are shifting, and so are the expectations behind them. From AI-powered personalization to next-generation supply chains, the sector’s digital transformation is redefining what it takes to stay competitive.

Even as spending remains steady,  retail hiring trends show a clear pivot: from high-volume hiring to high-value talent. Today’s top employers are focused on professionals who can connect analytics, operations, and experience to drive performance across the board.

In this report, we explore the key trends shaping the talent landscape—what’s changing, what’s emerging, and what it means for the future of hiring in the retail sector.

HOW IS RETAIL EMPLOYMENT PERFORMING AS 2025 COMES TO A CLOSE?

Retail in 2025 stands at a pivotal juncture. The U.S. consumer remains a steady driver of growth, supporting continued momentum in retail sales and stable hiring across the industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job openings in Retail Trade held at roughly 603,000 in August 2025, up slightly from July, signaling replacement and selective growth hiring across corporate and digital functions rather than large-scale expansion.

Retail spending also remains solid. The U.S. Census Bureau’s Monthly Retail Trade Report showed total retail and food-service sales in August 2025 at $732 billion, up roughly 5 percent year-over-year, while the National Retail Federation Retail Monitor reported a 0.6 percent month-over-month and 4.9 percent year-over-year increase in October 2025.

Meanwhile, retail IT and operations budgets continue to hold steady. According to Gartner (January 2025), worldwide IT spending is expected to total $5.61 trillion in 2025 — a 9.8 percent increase from 2024. Retailers are channeling those investments into AI, analytics, and cybersecurity solutions, giving companies flexibility to maintain  and, in some cases, expand headcount in AI/ML, analytics, customer experience (CX), and IT security roles even amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

Yet hiring remains measured. A Retail Dive analysis found that retail job cuts surged 274 percent in the first five months of 2025 versus 2024, totaling roughly 76,000 eliminated positions, underscoring the industry’s pivot from expansion to efficiency.

For professionals exploring new opportunities in this evolving market, visit The Planet Group Careers page to view open roles across retail and enterprise functions.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026

As 2025 winds down, retailers are planning how to balance short-term seasonal demand with long-term transformation goals.

We asked our network, "As 2025 wraps up, what’s your organization’s top retail workforce priority heading into 2026?"

• Scaling up for post-holiday demand

• Investing in AI and automation

• Strengthening supply chain talent

• Rebuilding core corporate teams

Follow The Planet Group on LinkedIn to share your response and compare insights from across the industry.

How Are Retailers Hiring Across The Planet Group’s Expertise Areas?

Retail’s transformation extends across all Planet Group practice areas:

• Technology & Enterprise Systems: Modernizing ERP, data, and cloud infrastructure to support omnichannel operations and inventory analytics.

• Creative & Digital: Expanding MarTech, UX, and personalized campaign delivery to strengthen customer engagement.

• Accounting, Finance & HR: Adding FP&A analysts, payroll managers, and HR compliance specialists to manage evolving wage, privacy, and workforce regulations.

• Engineering, Energy & Manufacturing: Enhancing logistics, warehousing automation, and last-mile delivery infrastructure to meet consumer expectations efficiently.

WHERE WILL HIRING GROW FASTEST IN 2026?

Retail’s transformation touches every functional area — from digital operations to supply chain and corporate strategy.

We asked our network, "Which area do you expect to see the most retail hiring growth in early 2026?"

• Digital & e-commerce operations

• Customer experience & marketing

• Supply chain & logistics

• Finance, HR, or back-office support

Chime in over on LinkedIn and check back here later for the full results!

HOW IS E-COMMERCE DRIVING DEMAND FOR DIGITAL TALENT?

Despite margin pressures and shifting consumer habits, e-commerce and omnichannel operations remain bright spots in retail hiring. Online shopping has reached record levels. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, e-commerce sales totaled $292.9 billion in Q2 2025 — up 5.3 percent year-over-year and representing 16.3 percent of total retail sales, the highest share on record. This ongoing shift continues to amplify demand for talent skilled in digital analytics, MarTech, and cloud infrastructure to support retailers’ omnichannel growth.

Retailers are investing in digital commerce platforms, data pipelines, and fulfillment technology to meet consumers wherever they shop. To see how Planet Group teams support these digital transformations, explore our Case Studies library.

According to August 2025 U.S. labor data, software developers, systems engineers, tech-support specialists, and cybersecurity analysts led all new technology postings. These skills are central to retail’s ability to optimize omnichannel experiences, improve personalization, and sustain operational resilience.

RETAIL EMPLOYMENT & WORKFORCE TRENDS

Based on hiring activity across The Planet Group in 2025, here’s a snapshot of the retail roles and workforce patterns we supported throughout the year.

Our Most In-Demand Retail Roles in 2025

In 2025, these five roles were the most in-demand roles for retail industry talent:

1. Software Engineer
2. Project Manager
3. Design Engineer
4. Mainframe Developer
5. Visual Merchandising Manager
6. Workday HRIS Specialist

Contract Roles in High Demand

Remote Positions Remain Vital

For a look at hiring data across other industries, view our Job Reports library.

What’s Next for Retail Hiring?

As 2026 approaches, the retail industry is redefining what talent looks like, moving from hiring for volume to hiring for value. Technology, analytics, and customer experience roles will continue to lead demand, while compliance, HR, and supply chain remain vital to stability and scale.

At The Planet Group, we connect forward-thinking retailers with the specialized talent that powers digital transformation, from software engineers and project managers to MarTech strategists and HR leaders.

Ready to build your retail workforce for 2026?

Contact us to start the conversation or explore our current opportunities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which areas of retail are showing the most hiring resilience?

Digital and technology functions remain the strongest, especially in e-commerce, analytics, and IT security. Grocery and discount retailers also continue to hire steadily as consumer demand holds firm.

2. How are new labor and compliance regulations shaping retail workforce trends??

Evolving laws like predictive scheduling, pay transparency, and CPRA privacy rules are increasing demand for HR, payroll, and compliance professionals. Many retailers are turning to Accounting, Finance & HR experts to manage multi-state regulations.

3. How will AI and automation impact retail jobs by 2030?

AI will transform, not replace, retail roles. Expect rising demand for data analysts, AI specialists, and experience designers as companies pair automation with human adaptability.

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