NEWS
Retail jobs decline by 14,000 in Q4 2022
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ew research has shown that the number of jobs across the UK retail sector has dropped
by 14,000 year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2022. According to data from the ONS, the number of retail jobs dropped by 14,000 year on year to 3.1 million. Retail vacancies in the fourth quarter stood at 92,000, 10.7% lower than the same time in 2021.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) blamed the fall in number of retail jobs on pressures to reduce operational costs amid a decline in spending. BRC chief executive, Helen Dickinson, said: “Low consumer confidence and falling sales volumes meant many retailers were more cautious in hiring additional workers in the run up to Christmas. “This was compounded by the need to keep operational costs –
and therefore prices – down during the cost of living squeeze. This has contributed to the lowest Q4 average retail jobs numbers in over a decade. Not all retail roles have been affected, as ongoing digital transformation has led to the creation of many new well- paid and exciting jobs. “However, this transformation is held
back by the inflexible Apprenticeship Levy system that restricts the breadth of training that employers can offer. “The Chancellor must use the Budget to reform the Levy and unlock business investment in upskilling employees and creating thousands of more apprenticeship opportunities across the country. With Levy reform, retail can equip itself with a workforce with skills fit for the future, leading to better wages, increased productivity, and stronger economic growth.”
Small Business Britain launches new programme
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John Lewis focuses on design with key appointment
J
oining John Lewis in the newly- created role of design director for home is former IKEA director,
Charlotta Elgh. Elgh spent 14 years at IKEA, most
recently as development leader of concept, and will be responsible for the direction and vision for John Lewis’ home range. John Lewis said Elgh’s vision for home will roll out this spring, and will introduce a new pared-back interior lookbook following two trends, modern and classic. The first of the lines includes upholstery made in the UK in reimagined archival patterns and the vision will be across every home product category by autumn.
Charlotta Elgh said: “I am thrilled to join John Lewis and be part of such an iconic British brand.
“My vision for home is simple: I want to make it easy for customers to shop
with us and identify their own style, whilst also ensuring we design for a number of different price points. “Starting with spring we are moving
forwards with two distinct trends that highlight and champion our heritage. “My vision for every home product we sell is that each and every design that comes from my team is iconically John Lewis – the attention to design details, the quality and the timeless style – meaning it is undeniably part of our range “I want to simplify the interiors for our
customers, making it stylish, accessible, functional and easy to shop. “I think about it like a recipe card, for example when it comes to soft furnishings you start with a plain colour, layer on stripes and add in a graphic. I want to give our customers the confidence to make these choices and discover their own unique style.”
n April 25, Small Business Britain will be launching its Small & Mighty Enterprise Programme to help grow small businesses with
expert guidance and mentoring. SpaThis six-week programme, designed to
supercharge sole traders and micro businesses, concludes with a growth plan to support the next year of business opportunity. It will be delivered entirely online, allowing access from anywhere in the UK with flexible learning enabling opportunities for all. All participants will get two hours of free mentoring with a business coach to help them put together a plan for the coming year. Feedback on 2022 mentoring sessions was fantastic with businesses really feeling the benefit of this combined with the programme. When the programme commences you will also be invited to join the private Facebook group with alumni from the 2022 programme. This gives you a great opportunity to meet other small and mighty businesses, ask the trainers and experts questions, and get support with anything that is troubling you.
Weekly sessions will cover: • Small Business Strategy • Digital Engagement and Opportunities for Engagement • Customer & Marketing Strategy
• Small Business Case Studies: How businesses made a plan and grew • Resiliency, Back-ups, and Coming Out Of A Crisis • Financial Plan & Growth
To celebrate the graduation of businesses from the programme, a hybrid online and real-world event will be held in London at the House of Lords on June 8 to celebrate the achievements of the businesses and the goals of the programme.
6 | March/April 2023
housewareslive.net
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