The number of retail salespeople in the nation employed in apparel and electronics sectors is significantly decreasing amid the fast changing consumer environment.

According to Statistics Korea data revealed on Saturday, people working as salespeople have declined year-on-year for the 12th straight month since June last year.

The number which stood at over three million in May last year dropped over three percent to two-point-98 million last month.

It's the first time for the figure to dip below three million since records began to be compiled in 2013.

Industry watchers attribute the falling number of sales employees to the booming online commerce industry.

The volume of products traded through online shopping malls in the country came to 79-point-nine trillion won last year, soaring 24 fold from 2001.

Others also point out that the minimum wage hike this year has led to a decrease in low wage, temporary, day to day jobs, which include retail sales positions.