Debenhams Group chief executive Dan Finley has ordered corporate staff back into the office five days a week for testing and collaboration.
The boss of Debenhams Group, which oversees Debenhams, Boohoo, and Karen Millen, told The Times staff should not be “sat in bed wearing grey tracksuit bottoms”, as he wants staff in everyday to test clothes it produces and collaborate with the team.
He said this is especially true for a fashion company, where trends need to be studied and products need to be tested.
He also believes young employees, who make up a large chunk of the group’s workforce, are more likely to benefit from being in a physical workspace to build relationships and learn from fellow colleagues.
The group is in the midst of a turnaround, and its most recent results for the year ending February 28 showed a 35% year-on-year increase in adjusted EBITDA to £53.3m as all brands in the group are now profitable again.
He added that working in Manchester, where the group is based, should be “celebrated” and people should be out living, working and meeting people in the city.
Other retailers with a full-time office working policy also include Morrisons and Boots, while John Lewis, Lidl, Ikea, and Ocado were amongst those who have encouraged or mandated more days working in the office.
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