UK retailers fear a looming workforce crisis, the latest research from digital frontline workplace solution, WorkJam, has shown. As retail teams face growing pressures following the October Budget, 76% of retailers recognise the need to improve workforce management, yet many lack the tools required to support staff and relieve pressure on managers.

Original research of over 100 retailers by WorkJam during Retail Technology Show, revealed over half (53%) have already frozen recruitment due to government budget pressures, and nearly 60% expect to make redundancies within the next six months.

And yet, despite 98% of retailers recognising that employee experience directly impacts customer satisfaction, many are failing to equip frontline teams with the tools they need to succeed. Just a sixth (14%) offer flexible pay options, while only 22% support shift swapping and a further 21% provide no self-service workforce management tools, putting both employee and customer experience at risk.

Earlier this week, separate research from Legion Technologies also revealed retail managers, overwhelmed with administrative tasks and manual processes, are struggling to find sufficient time to coach and develop their teams. Its study showed over half (52%) of retail managers feel they lack time for team development, while nearly a third (27%) don’t feel they have been set up for success in their role, which could be leaving sorely-needed labour productivity gains on the table.

“Given the pressure many UK retailers face, it is more crucial than ever that they embrace technical innovation,” Mark Williams, Managing Director, EMEA at WorkJam, said. “By doing so, they can make significant improvements in engagement and motivation among frontline workers as part of a strategy to ensure long-term viability.”

Confidence in government support is also low, according to the poll. Over a third (35%) of retailers view the reduced Business Rates Relief scheme negatively, believing it will have limited impact on their ability to manage and mitigate against rising costs. This contributes to the perception that pressure on the retail sector will persist, with 41% anticipating continued strain on managers and over a third (35%) predicting ongoing hiring freezes over the next six months.