Retail romance blooms as staff work longer hours

The retail sector has become a hotbed of workplace relationships as staff work longer hours, research reveals.

A survey of 1,350 retail workers by online recruitment firm RetailChoice.com shows more than a third have had a relationship with a colleague, with 12% admitting to having a fling with a customer.

Across all sectors, one in four UK workers have either married or had a long-term relationship with a work colleague, according to recent research conducted by Totaljobs.com.

“Longer working hours - especially in retail with the growth of convenience stores and 24-hour openings - means a relationship with a colleague is becoming a more acceptable option,” said Kate West, marketing executive for RetailChoice.com.

It is not just romance that blossoms across the cash tills. Half of the respondents met some of their closest friends through work, and 90% socialise with colleagues outside of working hours.