New Look shifts its BMD team to four days in-office from January.
- Currently, staff spend three days in the office, with Fridays hybrid.
- The change aims to boost collaboration and quick responses to trends.
- Other New Look teams remain unaffected by this office schedule change.
- This move aligns with broader industry practices, according to New Look.
New Look has announced a shift in its office work structure for the buying, merchandising, and design (BMD) department. From January, these teams will be required to work from the office four days a week, as opposed to the current three days. Fridays will continue to be a hybrid workday, allowing some flexibility.
The decision is made to enhance collaboration among staff and improve the ability to generate ideas and respond quickly to changing trade patterns and trends. This adjustment is aimed specifically at roles that benefit from in-person teamwork and immediate strategizing.
While the BMD teams will see this change, New Look has confirmed that there are no plans to alter the office requirements for other departments within the company. This focus on the BMD teams highlights their critical role in the company’s strategy to stay competitive in the fast-paced fashion sector.
New Look’s move is part of a broader trend within the industry. The company claims this new structure aligns with wider practices seen across the sector, aiming to balance remote work advantages with the benefits of in-person collaboration.
In a related development, it was revealed through an internal email that supermarket giant Asda has also asked its staff to return to the office for a minimum of three days per week starting from January. This impacts over 5,000 staff across Leeds and Leicester, as the company works to reinforce its position for 2025.
The strategic shift reflects an ongoing trend in the industry to adapt workspace practices for optimal collaboration.
