Women still earn less than men in retail

Female managers in the retail sector received higher salary increases than men last year for the tenth successive year, but still earn less than fellow male workers.

According to figures released by the Chartered Management Institute and Remuneration Economics, women have enjoyed the highest movement in earnings since 2002. However, the remuneration 'is failing to stem the tide of female resignations in the retail sector', said the report.

The average female manager in the retail sector earns£7,000 less than her male counterpart each year. Chartered Management Institute director of marketing and corporate affairs Jo Causon said: 'More than 30 years after sex discrimination legislation was introduced, some inroads appear to have been made in the workplace.

However, inequalities are still evident in pay packets and promotion and unless employers address the issue they are in danger of seeing a continuation of the trend in senior female executive resignations.'

The findings show an average national movement in earnings of 6.7 per cent for women and 5.6 per cent for men, in the 12 months to January this year - the highest movement in earnings for five years.

Female managers in the retail sector increased their earnings by 5.3 per cent, against only 4.6 per cent for their male counterparts.

In real terms, this means that female managers in the retail sector earned an average of£41,790 in the year to January 2006. However, this is still£7,325 less than the male equivalent of£49,115 - a 17.5 per cent difference.

Chartered Management Institute and Remuneration Economics surveyed 22,480 individuals.