New Look updates its office attendance policy for its Buying, Merchandising, and Design (BMD) department, increasing on-site workdays from three to four.
- Currently, the BMD team operates three days in the office; starting January, this changes to four days with Friday remaining a flexible day.
- The decision aligns with broader industry practices, focusing on boosting collaboration, idea generation, and quicker response to market changes.
- Other departments at New Look will not experience changes to their in-office schedules.
- The move mirrors similar strategies by other companies, such as Asda, in adapting to new work environments.
New Look has announced a shift in its office attendance policy, specifically targeting its Buying, Merchandising, and Design (BMD) department. Staff within this division are presently required to work three days a week from the office. However, starting from January, this requirement will increase to four days. The company has confirmed that Friday will continue to be a hybrid workday, allowing for some flexibility.
This change in policy is part of New Look’s strategy to enhance the collaborative work environment. By having the BMD team in the office more frequently, the company aims to foster a space where ideas can be generated more efficiently, and teams can react promptly to trade patterns and trends observed in the market. This move is depicted as being consistent with current sector-wide practices, reflecting similar adaptations across the industry.
Interestingly, this policy adjustment will not affect other departments within New Look, which will maintain their current office attendance schedules. The focus solely on the BMD team suggests a strategic emphasis on areas directly involved in product development and market responsiveness.
The update from New Look finds its echo in recent developments from other retail sectors. Notably, Asda has also revised its office return policies, mandating a minimum of three days per week in the office for its staff, with changes affecting over 5,000 employees. Asda’s chairman, Lord Rose, has articulated that this compulsory attendance is intended to fortify the company’s strategic position looking ahead to 2025.
New Look’s policy change for its BMD department underscores a broader trend in the retail sector towards increased in-person collaboration.
