THE HUB RETAIL RECRUITMENT’S WEEKLY NEWS SNIPPETS
- Date: 16 November 2016
- Posted By: admin
Are you one of those people who loves Christmas? Yes? Then you’ll be on countdown already. One of the things that you need to know is… it’s official – Which? has found that when buying those Christmas must haves – Quality Street, Roses, Celebrations, Heroes etc – big is best. The larger the amount, the better the price. So why go small when it pays to go large?! Especially at Christmas. Here’s the full story:
http://news.sky.com/story/smaller-christmas-chocolate-boxes-can-cost-double-says-which-study-10657051
The other news stories we’re bringing you this week are: Lidl & Aldi start to slip; Inflation predictions deflated; Dominic Chappell in the HMRC soup; and Would you take a pay cut to be happier?
Lidl & Aldi start to slip: Whilst the Big 4 have been lagging far behind the Aldi & Lidl sales growth for some time now, the tide might be turning a little. Well, for Tesco’s perhaps. Despite recent scandals, its growth is up by 2.2%, with its own brands showing strong sales. But let’s be clear – Aldi & Lidl sales are still growing, just at the lowest rates in 5 years. But the figures are still impressive – Aldi at 11.4%, Lidl at 8.4%. Here’s a couple of articles that explain the reasons for the slowdown:
http://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2016/11/the-big-four-start-to-fight-back
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/nov/15/tesco-aldi-lidl-growth-five-year-low
Inflation predictions deflated: So, inflation in October was at 0.9%, down slightly from the previous month’s 1%, and below the predictions that it would be at 1.1%. Those predictions were made because of the fall in sterling. The lower than expected inflation increase was held back – according to the Office of National Statistics’ (ONS) monthly report – by falling prices in clothes, hotels, toys and games, which took the sting out of rising fuel prices. The ONS said that, despite a sharp increase in raw materials because of the slump in the pound, ‘there is no clear evidence that these pressures have so far fed through to the prices in shops’. But it will. Won’t it?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37986365
Dominic Chappell in the HMRC soup: So, Dominic Chappell was arrested about possible tax evasion – VAT and Corporation tax, to the tune of some £500m. Mr Chappell was released without charge pending further investigation, and claimed it was all a big mistake. The BHS debacle sees no end. And those involved with its demise seem to become more and more tarnished. Mistake or not, let’s hope the Treasury gets back that half a £billion. That’s quite some tax bill.
https://www.ft.com/content/4eb09ffa-a9b6-11e6-809d-c9f98a0cf216
Would you take a pay cut to be happier? Apparently, the majority of us would – if it meant we’d be happier at work. This research involved 2,557 people in full-time work, over the age of 18, in the US, UK and Australia. Specifically, it found that 78% of Generation Y respondents (those born between 1980 and mid-1990s) would take a cut if it meant they’d be happier at work, compared to 63% of generation X respondents (those born between 1960 and 1980) and 55% of the baby boomers (those born between 1945 and 1960). Would you take a pay cut to be happier at work? If so, how much of a cut? Here at The Hub Retail Recruitment we love our jobs – but we’ve been in roles previously where we would have given up some pay to be happy at work – because it effects every aspect of your life. The message behind these figures is that job satisfaction has to be at the heart of a thriving workforce – and that Generation Y employees have higher expectations of being happy at work – employers ignore this at their peril.
There we go – another pick of interesting stories we’ve found for you this week. We hope you enjoyed them, and found something of interest. Come back next Wednesday, 23rd November – we look forward to ‘seeing’ you then.