Overview

• Nearly two-thirds of surveyed retail workers said they would change employers if they could.
• The nationwide study covered 11,732 employees across single-item, mail-order, wholesale and foreign trade, conducted with uz-bonn and TBS NRW.
• Financial strain dominated responses: about 75% judged pay inadequate, 68% said income barely covers living costs, and 63% feared insufficient pensions.
• Work intensity and health pressures are high, with 63% reporting strong strain and not expecting to work to regular retirement without restrictions, and 55% saying digital tools add to workload.
• Only around one third reported collective bargaining coverage, prompting ver.di to call for binding tariff standards and better conditions, while the HDE has publicly questioned the results.