Judging by all the signs up in windows, many retailers (and pubs/restaurants) seem to be struggling to find staff right now, at least in London. There can’t be that many retail workers still on the furlough scheme?
I heard an interview with Angela Leadsom that it is very difficult to take people off furlough. Many people found another job while also getting furlough pay and are resisting going back to work. Under UK labour laws the employer needs to accommodate employee needs with regards to health and safety. So if an employee says they would come off furlough but feel unsafe about the working environment, it is hard to resolve that.
[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1116638/uk-number-of-peo...
[2] https://tradingeconomics.com/united-kingdom/labor-force-tota...
A serious government would just end furlough. Businesses had more than a year to adapt their working conditions to be safe, while also having their wage bill paid by the taxpayer. It's time for them to take their responsibilities seriously.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/coronavirus-job-ret...
This BBC article says there's currently 1.5m still on furlough:
Back when I was young, we'd loose a finger or three on occasional workshift and never complained! Just plaster over them and get back to work!
That's after walking 13 miles to the factory, in a blizzard, uphill, both ways!