Retail Giants John Lewis and Primark Reintroduce Office Work: The Return to Physical Collaboration
Londen, woensdag, 18 juni 2025.
Two leading British retailers are making a notable strategic shift in their work policy. John Lewis and Primark are compelling commercial teams to return to the office, three and four days per week respectively. This decision, taking effect in September 2025, marks a significant course change in the post-pandemic workplace landscape. The retailers argue that physical presence enhances productivity, creativity, and team development. Primark will even allow flexible working until 14:00 on Fridays, indicating a strategy that seeks a balance between traditional office structures and modern work needs.
Primark’s New Office Policy
Primark announces a mandatory four-day office week for its product teams, commencing 15 September 2025. The decision affects staff at the Arthur Ryan House office in Dublin, while maintaining flexibility until 14:00 on Fridays [1]. The company states that in-person collaboration strengthens productivity, creativity, and team development [1].
John Lewis’ Similar Strategy
John Lewis follows a comparable approach by mandating commercial teams, including purchasing and merchandising departments, to be physically present three days per week, starting in July [2]. The retailer has already downsized its headquarters from 220,000 m² to 108,000 m² in Pimlico, supporting the new work approach [2].
Motivation Behind the Change
Both companies emphasise the importance of team development, especially for new employees [1][2]. John Lewis has recently hired approximately 50 new team members for assortment development and store modernisation, for which personal interaction is deemed crucial [2].