Over 330 jobs were analysed in a study to highlight those with the most demanding work-to-reward ratio – with shop owners ranking first, working an average of 74 hours a week for an hourly pay of just £12.

In the study, collated by RRC International, rankings were generated using the recent Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings data, published in 2025. The 330 roles were analysed by dividing average hours worked by average pay per hour.

In response to the survey, shop owners said that while it has always been a hard-working profession, it’s the drive to be there for customers and selling products that keep them motivated.

“Staff is the highest rising cost,” said one store owner. “I’ve lost staff and I’ve not been replacing them to save on costs. It’s meant that I’m taking on the workload where possible.

“You have to manage yourself in case you break. I’m in survival mode most of the time, both mentally and physically, and my work doesn’t finish when I leave site,” they added.

“I’m thinking about the rota, wages, marketing, admin, and other business needs all the time. It’s hard to switch the hyperfocus off.”

Shop owners top list, ahead of garage managers and construction workers, while hotel managers are also in the top 10 for those who work long hours, due to the demanding nature of the hospitality industry that operates 24-7.

The top 10 list includes:

• Shop owners
• Garage managers
• Elementary construction workers
• Hotel and accommodation managers
• Quarry workers
• Farm workers
• Crane drivers
• Health care practice managers
• Forestry workers
• Managers in forestry, fishing and related services

Managing Director of RRC International, Richard Stockley said: “Our analysis has revealed an alarming trend that those working the most hours for the least pay are in roles that are physically demanding and have a potential risk to human life.

“For those managing shops, it’s not just the obvious physical hazards such as slips, trips, and falls, injuries from manual handling and overexertion that put people at risk. We know how long hours, and demanding work can lead to physical and mental fatigue.

“That’s when health and safety mistakes all too easily creep in. That’s why we encourage all those working long hours to take regular breaks where possible and seek out further training to make sure they are best equipped to spot the danger signs and handle risks in the workplace.”

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A survey of 406 firms by Belfast Chamber found 71% are pessimistic about the city’s short-term prospects.

It’s the latest survey carried out by the business body in conjunction with Belfast City Council.

Belfast Chamber chief executive Simon Hamilton said it paints “a pretty bleak picture” for business conditions in the city.

“Whilst trading and profitability have both been strong over the past six months, there has been a stark drop in confidence for the time ahead,” he said.

The survey found that firms are less pessimistic when asked about the prospects of their own business or sector.

Just 44% believe their own business will get worse in the coming next months, with 35% predicting similar trading conditions, while 20% expect an improved picture.

But pessimism surged when asked about the city’s prospects as a whole.

“With 99% of businesses seeing fuel and electricity costs rising and other costs also on the rise, coupled with a considerable number of issues around recruiting staff reflected in the survey results, it is easy to see why optimism amongst Belfast businesses has declined,” said Mr Hamilton.

Elsewhere, the new survey showed the very mixed experience of businesses under Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

One-in-three felt their business has been negatively disrupted by Brexit, while 30% said it had no impact.

Of the 106 Belfast businesses trading in the Republic, 36% reported increased profitability in the past six months and 42% of the 41 firms trading with the rest of the EU also reported higher half year profits.

Simon Hamilton said businesses in Belfast have continued to exhibit an ability to weather whatever storm they may face.

“Although it seems that the impact of the pandemic has receded, it has been replaced by a whole host of new challenges,” he said.

“I am always impressed by the business community’s capacity to adapt and innovate but it is clear that on top of every ounce of resilience they possess, many will need urgent help from both government and a restored executive.”

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Staff members got together to support Sharon as she took part in Brave the Shave – where she had all of her hair shaven off – for Macmillan Cancer Support. Sharon raised £3,422 for the organisation which provides care and services to families and individuals affected by cancer, including Sharon and her colleagues.

There was a great turn out from friends, families and customers, while local cake suppliers made generous donations of their bakes which could be enjoyed by shoppers in exchange for a donation to the team’s cause.

Sharon was overwhelmed with the amount of support she was shown; “The support from my team, our shoppers, families and friends has been incredible over the past few months, helping us raise money in the lead up to the big day.

“We chose to fundraise for Macmillan as mine, and our store charity representative, Leah Spratt’s, families have been directly impacted by cancer and we have seen first-hand the support that Macmillan give. They made my family feel supported, showing compassion and care throughout the diagnosis and always went the extra mile.”

Joanne Young from Macmillan Cancer Support commented, “This donation will go such a long way to help people affected by cancer all across the country and it is so appreciated by all at Macmillan. Braving the shave is not an easy thing to do and we want to extend a huge thank you to all the staff and shoppers for taking part and donating.”

To find out more about Macmillan Cancer Support, or if you think you could Brave the Shave, visit: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/

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Retail sales volumes dropped by 1.6% in monthly terms in August, the Office for National Statistics said.

This was the biggest fall since December 2021 and worse than all forecasts in a Reuters poll of economists that had pointed to a 0.5% fall.

All of the main retail sectors – food stores, non-food stores, non-store retailing and fuel – fell over the month for the first time since July 2021, when Covid-19 restrictions on hospitality were lifted, the ONS said.

The period of mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth poses another challenge to retailers, with widespread business closures due on Monday to mark the queen’s funeral.

Although inflation dipped below 10% last month, households are still grappling with the biggest price increases since the early 1980s, caused mostly by surging energy prices in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The ONS said people also cut back on furniture purchases last month.

“Feedback from retailers suggests that consumers are cutting back on spending because of increased prices and affordability concerns,” it said.

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