As of April 2024, 66% of businesses surveyed were still experiencing challenges in sourcing staff. Encouragingly however, this marks the lowest percentage in the past three years.
Data suggests that a business’s ability to attract talent may be linked to whether it offers hybrid and remote working models. Last year, CIPD research revealed that nearly 2 million workers switched jobs and 4 million left their profession, specifically due to a lack of flexible work options.
Given the growing importance candidates place on flexibility and the persistent hiring challenges facing many UK retailers, the industry is at a crossroads. As Alexandra Samuel pointed out in a Wall Street Journal column last year – “A lot of us no longer work nine to five, or commute into the office. Yet retail businesses seem stuck in a different era.”
We’ll explore the current landscape of remote work in corporate retail roles, highlight major retailers offering remote retail options and discuss how this approach can be effectively applied across departments.
Which retailers offer work from home retail jobs?
In May, the Retail Gazette published a report listing major UK retailers that offer hybrid and remote work schedules at their head offices.
No minimum (or few) days in the office
At the time of publication in May 2024, the report stated that ASDA, Co-op, Curry’s, Dunelm, John Lewis and Sainsburys all have no minimum requirement for days in the office. Befitting their innovative brand identity, IKEA utilises a unique approach, specifying only 8 days must be spent in the office each month.
A minimum of 2-3 days in the office
Many other big-name brands continue to offer work from home retail jobs. Lidl and Tesco require a minimum of 2 days in office, while Aldi, Amazon, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons and Very require 3.
Varying days in the office
Other key players, such as Asos, also provide work from home retail jobs, though the required days in the office range between 2 and 5 per week, depending on the head office role.
Which retail jobs are well-suited to remote and hybrid working?
Ever-evolving technology and perspectives on work have meant that retail roles which traditionally required an ‘in-person presence’ are now also becoming suitable for remote working. These include, but aren’t limited to:
- Customer service: Processing orders, answering customer questions and resolving issues via phone, email or live chat
- Sales representative: acting as a digital personal shopper – making product recommendations to customers and completing sales
- Inventory coordinator: monitoring stock levels, placing orders with suppliers and warehouses to ensure products are available for online customers.
For key head office departments such as finance, marketing and technology, flexible working models have been a reality for several years now. However, emerging trends – including recent government proposals and shifting candidate demand – have begun to propel the remote/hybrid aspects of these departments even further.
Trends fuelling remote and hybrid roles in retail: Labour’s proposed changes
In 2023, research data from Natwest revealed that 27% of small and medium-sized businesses in Britain were owed up to £20,000 in unpaid invoices. Labour’s recent proposals, which include shorter invoicing windows, are expected to increase the demand for finance professionals across all sectors, including retail, in the near future.
Offering flexible positions is a cost-effective way for smaller retailers to compete and attract skilled professionals. Many key retail finance tasks can be efficiently handled on a remote or hybrid schedule, including:
- Analysing material and production costs
- Communicating with investors and shareholders, by creating and sharing reports
- Processing invoices, online payments, refunds and maintaining accurate records
- Analysing data on revenue and profit, forecasting and identifying purchasing trends
- Collaborating with different departments; for example, marketing, to budget for product launch campaigns and advertising
The social shopping revolution
Strategic social media influencing can have a significant impact on consumer shopping. Recently, we explored the emerging trend of livestream shopping which has enabled brands to generate £5.8 billion in sales within just 30 minutes. Mirroring this, worldwide revenue from social media commerce is forecast to reach $6.2 trillion (approx. £6.4 trillion) by 2030.
Social media positions within marketing teams are still relatively new, but we have witnessed huge candidate demand for these jobs, due to the popularity of platforms like Instagram. Many businesses, including retailers, have been quick to implement these strategies – according to Statista, up to £3.6 billion is spent on social media advertising in the UK every year.
The rise of ecommerce
As a branch of ecommerce, the strategic use of social media influencing can significantly drive business growth. As companies increasingly leverage these tactics, we can expect a rise in related roles. The remote nature of social media marketing, made possible with the right equipment and an internet connection, offers businesses the flexibility to hire talent from anywhere in the world.
When the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) began collecting data in 2008, online retail sales accounted for just 5% of all retail sales. In 2023, online e-commerce sales generated approximately £4.38 billion worldwide. This figure is predicted to rise to over £6 billion in 2027.
According to Pew Research, 91% of consumers make these online purchases using their smartphone. These figures show a consistent demand for professionals with the skills needed to keep online retail platforms and the customer experience functioning optimally, such as:
- UX/UI developers, including those specialising in mobile optimisation
- Analytics reporting; analysing customer traffic, journeys and chosen devices
- Tech support for online retailers to fix bugs and prevent website downtime
- Cybersecurity; ensuring secure transactions and encrypting sensitive data
Navigating remote workflows
Even traditionally in-person retail departments like product design can adapt to remote work. As demonstrated by Fred Perrotta, founder of fully-remote luggage brand, Tortuga.
Perrotta acknowledged “soft goods, like bags, need to be physically handled,” as key decisions on material, shape and size “can’t be answered remotely.” but virtual meetings and physical samples sent between locations; from China, to California, to the East Coast, could effectively bridge the gap. While this admittedly slowed the process, Perotta calculated that it was still more efficient than paying for an office.
As illustrated above, retailers have and continue to adapt to remote and hybrid work setups, a trend that is likely to continue as consumer behaviour continues to shift increasingly online. By recognising the importance of flexibility in attracting and retaining talent, retailers are staying agile, ensuring they meet customer needs while fostering a more dynamic, efficient workforce.
Work with Distinct
At Distinct, we strive to stay informed on the latest retail news and what it means for the world of work. If you’re searching for your next retail head office job or looking to hire talented professionals, contact us today.
