The retail industry still offers a wealth of opportunities despite the loss of 100,000 jobs.

Onrec reports Skillsmart Retail has responded to comments by Richard Hyman, the Managing Director of Verdict Consulting, who claimed there would be 100,000 job cuts over the next two years.

Karen Charlesworth of the Government-sponsored Sector Skills Council for retail said: "Our own research shows us that retail jobs may well fall in the coming months, but we do not see the future as doom and gloom for those working, or looking to work in the sector. Retail is still the biggest private employer in the UK with three million jobs and it still provides a wealth of opportunities for people of all backgrounds.

"The retail industry continues to boom in a number of areas with huge new developments around the country. It is the fast growing employer in Northern Ireland, and there are a number of large new retail developments planned in both Scotland and England."

She added: "Our study into online retail will be published in March and may well show a huge shift in the way the industry works. Although the total number of people in the sector may fall, we can still see a buoyant industry which is rapidly diversifying into areas such as IT and is also outsourcing parts of its work to different industries such as distribution."