Retail Appointment November 2017 TRAP_Nov 2017_DigitalEdition | Page 9

s top ten he respondents were also asked for what they look for in a potential em- ployer and were provided with a list of options, which they had to rate as the most and least important. T TEN BEST 1. I look at reviews from ex-employees. 2. I consider their commercial success. 3. I look at whether I like the product they sell. 4. I mostly go on word of mouth. 5. I look up press reports online. 6. I consider what the service was like the last time I was in their store. Just over half (55%) of those surveyed consider a brand’s commercial success to be the most important factor in it’s desir- ability as a top employer. This was followed by 43% who were swayed by their love of the products the company sold. 35% said they looked at reviews from ex-employees when evaluating an employer brand. In contrast, just 18% said they would be influenced by word of mouth and 21% would research press reports of a brand in print and online. Russell Pidgeon of Together Communica- tions comments: “We have often heard consumers praise John Lewis for its service and the quality of its products, as well as its overall integrity as a brand. However, from an employment point of view, the brand is clearly capturing the imagination of retail workers throughout the UK. This is a critical time for the UK jobs market, mainly down to the uncer- tainty surrounding Brexit and its eventual outcome. Employers should have contin- gency plans in place and be carefully as- sessing how Brexit negotiations will impact the current workforce of their brand.” 54% of those surveyed are in retail man- agement positions; 21% are in a retail head office position or regional office; and, 10% work on the retail shop floor. For more information on this survey, research or employment branding, please contact Russell Pidgeon at [email protected] retailappointment.co.uk 09