Retailers could capitalise on the sales of stricken rivals but consumer confidence is key to this, recruiters have claimed.

According to data from PwC, around £3.6bn worth of retail sales are now available since the passing of a number of high-street retail names such as Woolworths, MFI, Zavvi, Rosebys and the Pier.

Peter Burgess, director at Retail HR, told Recruiter: “The retail sales figures are not all doom and gloom.  With the £3.6bn that was spent in the recently departed retailers now shared among the rest, there are many winners.

“However, the jobs market is slow as companies remain ultra cautious.  More aggravating for the external recruiters is the fact that there are many good people from Woolies etc, who are now readily available to the potential clients directly.

“It’s a tough time for retail recruitment firms just now.”

Russell Crowe, managing director at Retail Kudos, adds: “There is huge opportunity for other retailers to capitalise on the failure of others.

“However, confidence is holding everybody back. Confidence needs to be pushed out there. There is actually more money in people’s pockets than at the same time last year. It is all down to confidence.”