Employment in EU clothing retail fell by 7.9% between 2018 and 2023, with the sector losing more than 100,000 employees and over 30,000 stores. In 2023, clothing retail employed around 1.19 million people. Employment declined most sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a partial recovery before falling slightly again in 2023.

The decline reflects longer-term structural changes in clothing retail, including the growth of e-commerce and online platforms, the increasing popularity of second-hand markets and the expansion of ultra-fast fashion. Among Member States with available data, Romania and Portugal recorded employment growth, while Germany, the Netherlands and Spain experienced significant declines.

The developments highlight the employment dimension of Europe’s transition towards a more sustainable and circular textile ecosystem. While EU policies are expected to create opportunities in activities such as repair, eco-design, logistics and second-hand retail, the EEA notes that circular transitions can involve both job creation and job losses, with employment, skills and job quality across circular activities still requiring further assessment.

For further details and the underlying data, readers are encouraged to consult the European Environment Agency website.