Asda is conducting a significant six-week trial for new staff uniforms across 12 stores, marking the first major redesign in over 12 years.
- The trial involves 2,600 employees wearing ten different uniform styles to assess suitability across various roles within the store.
- Feedback on aspects such as fit, comfort, and durability will inform the final uniform design set for a 2026 rollout.
- Special attention is given to fabric breathability and using natural cotton to accommodate menopausal colleagues.
- This initiative aligns with Asda’s broader strategy to enhance employee conditions, following recent workplace savings initiatives.
Asda has embarked on an ambitious project to refresh its store staff uniforms for the first time in over a decade, launching a six-week trial involving 2,600 employees at 12 different locations. This trial is a pivotal step in Asda’s move to ensure that the new uniforms meet the diverse needs of its workforce, stretching across various departments, including George, pharmacy, and bakery.
The trial will feature ten distinct uniform designs, rigorously assessed for their look, fit, comfort, and practicability. Employees are encouraged to engage with these garments during their day-to-day activities to provide practical feedback. Such a wide-ranging approach seeks to capture the nuanced requirements of different roles within the supermarket, ensuring the final product is both functional and appealing.
Asda values employee input significantly in this process, with existing feedback already highlighting the importance of uniform fabric breathability and the inclusion of natural cotton to support colleagues experiencing peri-menopausal and menopausal symptoms. This attention to detail reflects a commitment to employee wellbeing, recognising the diverse needs of its workforce.
Hayley Tatum, Asda’s chief people and corporate affairs officer, emphasised the centrality of staff feedback in shaping the new uniforms. She noted that the company eagerly anticipates insights from its employees to craft a uniform that not only meets operational demands but also instills pride among wearers. This collaborative approach underlines the retailer’s strategy to prioritise employee satisfaction in its operational practices.
This uniform trial coincides with Asda’s recent initiatives aimed at improving employee conditions. Notably, the supermarket introduced the UK’s largest workplace savings programme last month, benefiting 150,000 employees. Such efforts underscore Asda’s broader commitment to enhancing the work environment and supporting its staff in multiple facets.
The comprehensive feedback from the uniform trial will guide Asda in finalising a design that aligns with its dedication to improving employee welfare.
