New Look and Asda Update Workplace Expectations

  • New Look brings product staff back into office four days a week
  • Asda asks staff to return to office three days per week
  • Changes impact over 5,000 office staff members

New Look has ordered its buying, merchandising, and design (BMD) department staff to return to the office four days a week starting January. The fashion retailer confirmed that Friday will remain a hybrid day. Asda, on the other hand, asked its employees to be present in the office at least three days weekly while cutting jobs at three locations: George House, Leicester, and Asda House and Britannia House offices in Leeds, effective from January. These changes aim to strengthen their positions for 2025. The moves come as retailers adapt to industry shifts.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides relevant information about New Look’s decision to increase office days for its BMD department and mentions Asda’s similar move impacting over 5000 staff members. It also includes a quote from an internal email. However, it could provide more context on the reasons behind these decisions and include sources or expert opinions.
Noise Level: 6
Noise Justification: The article provides some relevant information about New Look’s decision to increase office presence for its BMD department and Asda’s decision to require staff to be in the office more often, but it lacks depth and analysis. It also includes an unrelated mention of Christmas adverts which adds noise to the content.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses changes to office attendance policies for staff at New Look and Asda, which are both retail companies. Although there is a mention of financial topics related to these companies, the changes do not seem to have a direct impact on financial markets.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in this article.

Reported publicly: www.retailgazette.co.uk