Workforce

Overview  

The 21st Century Retail Workforce will bring together many areas of the retail ecosystem to build a workforce that is diverse, innovative and skilled.  The retail industry is evolving in the omnichannel environment in all ways including workforce planning. Having the right talent in the right places will always be a priority and will ensure success. 

However, the industry is currently facing substantial legal, regulatory and policy challenges from activists and policymakers across the country.  Many of these obstacles are inhibiting retailers from recruiting and retaining the right talent.  

In addition to traditional competition in the retail industry from fellow retailers, the industry is also facing new challenges for talent from disruptors like Uber.  In the battle for top talent ranging from data scientists to associates, leading retailers are increasingly focused on workforce related issues and the challenges associated with planning effectively for the 21st Century Retail Workforce.  

RILA will be dedicated, in partnership with the Retail Talent Council, to develop a long-term strategic vision for a diverse, innovative and skilled 21st Century Retail Workforce.  

Why Talent Matters to Retail    

Although the retail environment is evolving from pure brick and mortar to a mix of physical and digital, retail is and will continue to be driven by its people who are helping consumers get the goods they want. What is changing is how we interact with those customers. Retailers know that they are in a fierce battle for talent not just with other retailers but other industries including newly powerful gig companies that offer job seekers the opportunity to work when, where and how they want.  Moreover, the competition for tech talent has never been fiercer and as retailers build out more digital, omnichannel and in-store capabilities, we must learn how to recruit and retain the talent of today and cultivate the talent of tomorrow. 

Our Priorities  

The RTC priorities will consist of providing high level thought leadership around the 21st Century Retail Workforce -- a workforce that is diverse, innovative and skilled. Specifically, the RTC will serve a leadership role in guiding activities around the future of retail work, RILA’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiative as well as on-going programs with the Retail Innovation Center that connect retailers with top tech talent.