Personnel

Warby Parker Cuts 15% of Corporate Workforce
August 10, 2022 at 3:03 pm

The direct-to-consumer pioneer and eyeware brand Warby Parker is eliminating 63 corporate positions, or 15 percent of its corporate workforce, Business Insider first reported this week. In an internal memo to employees, Warby Parker co-founders Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa said the layoffs included customer-facing roles on the retail and consumer experience teams, as well…

5 Ways to Boost Team Morale
July 28, 2022 at 5:19 pm

There may be a day when you wake up and simply don't have the motivation to do your job anymore. When you think about going to work, you may feel helpless, trapped, detached or cynical. This lack of motivation or interest related to your job is commonly known as burnout. Managing this fatigue in the…

How Retailers Can Compete in a Tight Labor Market
July 14, 2022 at 1:13 pm

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a lot of disruption for retailers across the country. Many in the industry faced supply chain issues that resulted in drastically low inventory levels or even empty shelves. Some states imposed lockdowns that crimped business and led to innovations such as improved online shopping and curbside or in-store pickup of goods.…

True Employee Engagement is a Two-Way Street: Here’s How to Build It
July 11, 2022 at 5:09 pm

When it comes to nurturing a successful frontline team in a retail environment, employee engagement has to be a top priority. However, many employers find engagement to be a slippery, elusive quality. According to a 2021 study, 73 percent of employees would consider leaving their current jobs. The struggle to engage and retain employees is one without…

Peloton Boosts its Employees' Pay as Part of Turnaround Strategy
July 7, 2022 at 4:56 pm

Peloton sweetened incentives for its workers with one-time cash bonuses and changes to its stock compensation plan as it works to retain employees and fix its struggling business, according to internal memos seen by CNBC. The changes come a little more than five months into CEO Barry McCarthy's turnaround plan. McCarthy was named CEO in early…

Apple Workers at Maryland Store Vote to Unionize
June 20, 2022 at 5:20 pm

Employees at a Baltimore-area Apple store have voted to unionize, making it the first of Apple's 270-plus stores in the U.S. to join a union. In the election, 65 employees at Apple’s store in Towson, Md., voted in favor of being represented by the union, known as the Apple Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (CORE),…

Retail’s Resurgence Spawns New Challenges
June 14, 2022 at 10:52 am

As lease signs begin to disappear from storefront windows in Manhattan, retailers across the U.S. are preparing for the industry’s big return. Although the harshest COVID-driven restrictions were lifted months ago, businesses have been hesitant to open or expand their physical locations after suffering devastating revenue losses over the last two years. Increasing interest rates…

Starbucks Union Creates $1M Fund to Cover Lost Pay for Striking Baristas
June 2, 2022 at 4:56 pm

The union backing organizing efforts at Starbucks is creating a $1 million fund to cover lost pay for baristas who go on strike, giving workers more firepower in their fight to unionize. The financial backing comes amid a nationwide unionization push that has already included workers at some Starbucks locations staging walkouts and strikes. Once it’s…

Don’t Let the Labor Shortage Short Circuit Your Customer Loyalty
June 1, 2022 at 10:11 am

It’s no secret when it comes to the value of loyalty. Existing customers spend 31 percent more, on average, than new ones. They’re also 50 percent more likely to try new products. As a result, more and more retailers, including Albertsons, Rite Aid, and The Container Store, are doubling down on loyalty programs to drive…

Neiman Marcus Offering Extended Paid Parental and Family Leave Programs
May 9, 2022 at 7:32 pm

Neiman Marcus Group (NMG) on Friday announced its new paid family leave benefits for all associates, working full or part time, according to a company press release. NMG said that as of January, the retailer has offered 16 weeks of paid leave for anyone welcoming a child, including via adoption, surrogacy or foster care. This time is in…