Follow us

Menu
PARTNER WITH USFREE NEWSLETTER
VISIT TheIndustry.beauty

The Very Group prepares for hybrid working with Liverpool head office revamp

Tom Shearsmith
11 March 2021

The Very Group, operator of Very and Littlewoods, has transformed its Liverpool head offices into a more flexible space, as the £2 billion-revenue retailer sets its sights on a new, permanent hybrid working model.

The renovations have created more innovative team working spaces for when the group’s 2,100 Liverpool-based colleagues begin to split their time between home and office working when circumstances allow later in 2021

At Skyways House, a 12,400-square metre former aircraft hangar, the company has introduced an open plan environment with bespoke break-out and collaboration spaces designed for interactive group working. Hot desks have been installed to enable colleagues and teams to work from anywhere on site, while green spaces add an element of calm.

The Hub, the second office on campus and future home to 750 of the group’s customer care colleagues, has been transformed into a flexible contact centre, featuring collaborative zones, hot desks, quiet pods, training rooms and break out spaces of different sizes and specifications.

This latest transformation has also been replicated at Very's Bolton customer care centre.

Sarah Willett, Chief People Officer at The Very Group, said: “Remote working during COVID-19 has seen our people operate with even greater ingenuity at a time when we’re attracting record numbers of new customers. Our colleagues have told us they like the greater flexibility that comes with working from home and when the UK starts re-opening, we’ll make some permanent changes to the way we work.

“We want our people to be productive at home and super collaborative in the office. That’s why we’ve invested in reconfiguring our workspaces, and we’re absolutely delighted with the results. Our new spaces will be about high energy, high impact creativity and collaboration, all with a focus on improving the experience for our colleagues and our 4.5m customers. We’ll also continue investing in our technology and systems to make sure our people have the best tools for the job.

“But our plans aren’t just about productivity. They’re about how we can offer our colleagues true value and get value back in return. By offering better balance, increased flexibility, interesting work, and an amazing place to come together, we can attract even more outstanding people – and retain the ones we already have.”

In January, Very reported increased retail sales of 25.2% year-on-year in the seven weeks up to 25 December 2020, recording its best ever Christmas trading period where it welcomed 500,000 new customers.

Free NewsletterVISIT TheIndustry.beauty
cross