BRC and DWP launch Opening Shift

Retail targets 100,000 jobs to tackle youth unemployment
The BRC and the Department for Work and Pensions have launched Opening Shift, a scheme targeted at young people not in education, employment or training to help break the 'no experience, no job' doom loop

Retail Job Champions
Political stakeholders support our 'Buy into Retail Jobs' campaign at our Parliamentary Reception

Media Coverage of Opening Shift
The launch of Opening Shift gained wall to wall media coverage. BRC CEO, Helen Dickinson and DWP Secretary of State, Pat McFadden, both did broadcast interviews while the story also featured in national papers and the trades.

Case Studies
Retail is uniquely placed to tackle the NEETs crisis given the number of entry level, flexible jobs it provides. Check out some case studies of younger workers who got their first steps into work through retail.
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What our members say


A great resource to have access to other retailers that are facing many of the same challenges as us.


A positive and considered voice for our industry, useful learning/ business-focused communities that help our team in their roles, and data insights that help us benchmark our performance.


The BRC is invaluable in bringing retailers together to discuss crucial topics and then lobby the retailer message to government on our behalf. The BRC’s media presence and focus on promoting the interests of retailers allows us to align on issues impacting the sector.


A great partnership, adding substantial value to many functions of the business, especially the ESG and People team.


A very effective business network that provides insight and coordinates industry opinion.


Adds a lot to our business, great sounding board, very well connected and able to influence.


The BRC continues to do an excellent job of supporting the retail sector and its individual members on a wide variety of issues.


A sense of solidarity, alignment of issues and purpose


As a major national retailer, Sue Ryder experiences many of the issues faced by other members of the BRC, we value the expertise and collective strength that is derived from our membership of this dynamic and forward-facing organisation
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