It will be co-chaired by Richard Pennycook, chairman of British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Andrew Griffiths, Conservative MP and member of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

The council formed to work and address issues like productivity, skills shortages and adapting to changing consumer behavior.

The other members of the council include Amazon UK manager Doug Gurr, John Lewis chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield and Asos chief executive Nick Beighton.

“The first Retail Sector Council comes at a moment of unprecedented change for our sector,” Pennycook said.

Retail is one of the largest private-sector employers in the country. The council provides strategic oversight of the challenges we are facing by seeking positive change and increased productivity.

“We will work together with industry and government to deliver our vision for the future of retail.”

Griffiths added: “Our new collaborative Retail Sector Council will bring government and industry together to look at how best to ensure the industry adapts to meet the changing demands of consumers.”