New Look has decided to increase in-office workdays for its buying, merchandising, and design teams, aligning with industry trends.
- Previously, the teams worked three days a week in the office; this will change to four days starting January.
- Friday will remain a flexible hybrid day despite the increased office presence for the teams involved.
- The decision will not affect other departments, which will continue with their current in-office schedules.
- The move is intended to improve collaboration, foster creativity, and enhance responsiveness to market changes.
New Look, a prominent player in the fashion retail sector, has announced a shift in its working practices for specific departments. The buying, merchandising, and design teams, collectively known as the BMD teams, are now required to be present in the office four days a week, an increase from the current three-day requirement. This change will take effect from January, with Fridays designated as a hybrid day, offering some flexibility for these teams.
The retailer has clarified that this adjustment will not impact other departments, which will maintain their existing work schedules. The decision to increase office presence is framed as a move to align with broader industry practices, suggesting that many within the sector are adopting similar approaches to in-office work post-pandemic.
According to New Look, the increase in office days is designed to bolster collaboration among team members, enhance the generation of ideas, and improve the team’s response time to evolving trade patterns and fashion trends. The physical proximity of team members is believed to facilitate more dynamic interactions and a quicker turnaround on projects and decisions.
This announcement comes in the wake of similar moves by other retailers. Notably, Asda recently communicated a shift to a minimum three-day office requirement for its staff, impacting over 5,000 positions across its Leeds and Leicester offices. Such moves indicate a broader trend in the retail industry towards increased in-person work, despite the growing popularity of remote working options over the past few years.
This strategic adjustment by New Look illustrates a trend towards balancing remote flexibility with the advantages of in-person collaboration.
