AT the Labour Party Conference, shopworkers' union, Usdaw, held a fringe meeting, in partnership with the British Retail Consortium (BRC), rejecting the myth that work in retail is not a real job.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, said: "Quite frankly, I am fed up with people suggesting that shop work has no value or is somehow less of a job than other sectors. I totally reject that attitude.

"Both Usdaw and the BRC are keen to dispel the myth that retail jobs are not proper jobs. Retail plays a vital role in every constituency across the country, employing over 2.8 million people, 11 per cent of the total UK workforce.

"Like every sector, retail has been hit by the global economic downturn. We were all devastated by what happened at Woolworths and there have been many more, less prominent, business closures but there are good news stories, with many new jobs being created, and we can see retail driving the recovery.

“Retail work can be both rewarding and fulfilling. Usdaw not only supports but invests in its members through LifeLong Learning, because they are valuable employees. Retail jobs are real jobs."

Stephen Robertson, BRC Director General, added: "Too many people view retail jobs as the last resort. That's because there's a deep rooted lack of knowledge about how retail operates, the range of jobs available, the chances for career advancement and the level of professionalism that exists.

"The BRC's joint event with Usdaw at the Labour Party Conference shows retailing has plenty of opportunities and can be people's first career choice."

The meeting was chaired by Ann Coffey MP. Sue Round, Head of Learning and Development at Sainsbury's and Tracy White, Union Learn Rep for Usdaw, also spoke.