New research highlights persistent diversity gaps in retail leadership, raising concerns over industry inclusivity.
- According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), over a third of retailers still have an ‘all-white board’.
- The percentage of ethnic minority leaders has risen, yet over half of executive committees lack ethnic diversity.
- Women are increasingly present in board roles, yet more men hold senior management positions.
- Workplace inclusion remains low among diverse groups, despite coordinated diversity efforts.
New research has brought to light ongoing concerns regarding diversity within retail leadership. According to a comprehensive study conducted by the British Retail Consortium alongside the MBS Group, more than a third (35%) of retailers continue to have an ‘all-white board’. This statistic raises important questions about inclusivity at the highest levels of the retail industry.
While there has been a significant increase in the presence of ethnic minority leaders on boards, rising from 4.5% in 2021 to 12% in 2024, the issue of diversity remains prevalent. More than half of executive committees still show zero ethnic diversity, highlighting the gaps that persist within senior leadership teams.
Gender diversity has also seen notable changes, with the percentage of female board-level leaders increasing from 32.6% in 2021 to 42.3% in 2024. However, despite this progress, women predominantly occupy lower-level positions compared to their male counterparts, who retain the majority of senior management roles.
Efforts to foster an inclusive working environment have resulted in 98% of retailers implementing a coordinated diversity and inclusion strategy. Nevertheless, the feelings of inclusion reported by various minority groups indicate that there is still work to be done. Inclusion is reportedly lower among those who identify with diverse sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, or fall within the 24 to 34 age range. BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson emphasized the importance of culture change for meaningful progress in diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Despite progress towards diversity, significant challenges remain, necessitating ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive retail environment.
