Falls in the number of UK retail sector employees have continued in the second quarter of 2019, with the decline “likely to endure” amid automation and changing consumer behaviour.

Retail workforce numbers declined 2.3% year-on-year marking the fourteenth consecutive quarter of decline, figures from the British Retail Consortium showed on Thursday.

Despite representing a slight slowdown in employment reduction when compared to the 2.4% fall reported in Q1, the latest data implies 72k  jobs being lost in the three months to June.

“Retail is undergoing a period of profound transformation driven by changing consumer behaviours and innovative technologies. As these structural changes unfold, we have seen retail employment falling across the country,” BRC CEO Helen Dickinson said.

“Such declines are likely to endure, hastened by Government policies that continue to add costs to an industry already under immense pressures. With a new Prime Minister and cabinet in place, there is a clear opportunity to rethink the high street strategy.

“Business rates pose an unsustainable burden on shops and jobs, and we urge the Government to provide immediate relief to retailers large and small in order to facilitate much needed investment in the digital and physical offerings they provide to their customers.”

The number of staff in full-time employment fell 3% while part-time figures were down 2%.

As the peak trading period of the year, with Black Friday and Christmas, approaches some retailers are looking to add part-time staff to their workforce.

Furthermore, in the coming quarters, 30% or retailers plan to increase their staff base with 65% seeking to keep staff numbers unchanged.