Major UK retailers are facing large-scale equal pay claims from retail workers claiming that their lower wages compared to warehouse staff amount to gender discrimination. Retail workers - who are overwhelmingly female - claim that their work is equal to that of warehouse workers - mostly men - and that they are therefore legally entitled to the same rate of pay.

In August 2024, retail workers for clothing store chain Next won their six-year fight for equal pay in a landmark case that could force the retailer to pay more than £30m in compensation and backpay. Similar claims are being brought - through law firm Leigh Day - against other major UK retailers, including Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco.