Exclusive: THG orders staff back to office five days a week

The group, which owns Lookfantastic, Cult Beauty and Myprotein, announced that all employees working at its Manchester head office will be required to return to the office for five days a week starting January 2, 2024.

There was no consultation with employees before the change was announced and there has been no communication as to whether or not they will be compensated for any additional travel costs. However, Retail Week understands that there’s no legal obligation for an employer to do so.

It remains unclear whether THG would be making adjustments to the salaries of employees affected by the change.

A THG spokesperson said: “At THG, face-to-face interaction has a hugely positive impact on our business environment and results in a dynamic and vibrant atmosphere in our offices.

“We therefore took the decision to return to a more regular, pre-Covid way of working and we will be asking our valued employees to attend the office five days per week.

“We will, of course, take into account any personal circumstances, but strongly believe this move will continue to ensure THG remains an exciting and engaging place to work where colleagues can come together to collaborate.

“We offer a range of benefits to our colleagues, including enhanced paternity and maternity leave and annual leave, as well as reduced office working hours, making THG a fantastic place to work.”

The news comes after THG acquired skincare brand Biossance from US biotechnology group Amyris for $20m (£15.8m).

The retailer reported net sales of £466.5m, a year-on-year change of -4.4%, which the company said was its ”best quarterly revenue performance in the last year.”

The retailer said its “revenue, adjusted EBITDA and cash generation guidance remains unchanged” for the full year for 2023.