The Very Group has transformed its Liverpool-based campus to prepare for a hybrid workplace in a major shift for the retail industry.
The online retailer and operator of Very.co.uk and Littlewoods.com transformed the location into the ideal setting for collaboration, innovation and socialising, as the £2bn-revenue retailer sets its sights on a new, permanent hybrid working model.
The renovations will create the optimum team working space when the group’s 2,100 Liverpool-based colleagues begin to split their time between home and office working when circumstances allow later this year.
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.”
The company has introduced an open plan environment at Skyways House – a 12,400-square metre, former aircraft hangar – with a plethora of bespoke break-out and collaboration spaces, ideally 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 leading-edge flexible contact centre, featuring collaborative zones, hot desks, quiet pods, training rooms and break out spaces of different sizes and specifications.
