As per the latest TeamLease Employment Outlook Report, Retail sector sentiment stays strong, with the Net Employment Outlook rising to 8.1% in HY2 from 5.2% in HY1, driven by festive demand, GST relief, omni-channel retail, and quick-commerce growth. Hiring will centre on category managers, pricing analysts, loyalty specialists, last-mile planners, and digital roles like ad-ops and shopper analytics, even as 7% of employers anticipate reductions in underperforming formats and admin-heavy roles. The sector is steadily shifting toward analytics-led customer engagement over physical store expansion. These findings are based on a survey of 1,251 employers across 23 industries and 20 cities, conducted from June to August 2025.
Strong Growth Momentum: Retail hiring stays strong with NEC rising to 8.1% in HY2 driven by festive demand, GST relief, omni-channel retail, and quick-commerce growth.
Priority Roles in Demand: Demand is highest for category managers, pricing analysts, loyalty specialists, last-mile planners, and roles in digital ad-ops and shopper analytics.
Selective Reductions in Legacy Roles: 7% of employers expect reductions, mainly in underperforming store formats, redundant checkout roles, and admin-heavy positions, as the sector shifts toward analytics-led customer engagement.
Top Job Functions: Percentage of Employers Interested in Hiring:
- Sales and Marketing – 81%
- Blue Collar – 39%
- Back office and admin – 35%
Top Job Locations: The major hubs attracting retail talents are:
- Mumbai – 31%
- Bengaluru – 28%
- Delhi – 25 %
Reflecting on the findings, Balasubramanian A, Senior Vice President, TeamLease Services, said,
“ The jump in the Net Employment Outlook from 5.2% in HY1 to 8.1% in HY2 highlights the retail sector’s robust confidence and resilience. The retail sector’s upbeat hiring sentiment signals strong consumer confidence and a resilient market outlook. As technology-led roles gain prominence, businesses are clearly prioritising efficiency and deeper customer engagement. This sustained momentum sets the stage for steady job creation and continued growth across the sector.”