Recruitment

Online brands sweep aside high street retailers as Britain’s most desirable employers

Online fashion retailer ASOS has been ranked the most sought-after employer in Britain, as a new league table highlights the appeal of digital brands for jobseekers at the high street’s expense.

The UK’s most desirable employers were compiled by professional network LinkedIn for its Top Companies 2018 list and saw a number of high street institutions fall out of favour with jobseekers.

In 2017, the same list saw John Lewis emerge as the most desirable employer, with luxury Knightsbridge department store Harrods at number four. Meanwhile, supermarket chain Sainsbury’s landed at number six. This year, all three companies dropped out of the top 25 altogether.

Online auction giant Amazon also climbed up the rankings this year, entering the top ten having been listed 18^th in 2017.

The growing draw of online brands follows what has been a difficult period for the British high street. In February, children’s retailer Toys R Us entered administration, putting as many as 5,500 jobs at risk, before restaurant chain Prezzo announced the closure of almost 100 branches.

High street banks were well represented, however. Lloyds Banking Group remained in the top 25 employers, with HSBC and Barclays joining for the first time.

LinkedIn 25 most desirable employers 2018

Take a look at the full list on LinkedIn.com

Commenting on the rankings, Emily Spaven, LinkedIn’s UK news editor, said: “Every year the Top Companies list reminds us how fierce the competition for talent is, and 2018 is no different. We’ve seen that businesses are increasingly using LinkedIn to make themselves as attractive as possible to the top talent, by leveraging their employees as brand ambassadors to convey the most authentic voice.”

Since launching in 2000, ASOS has grown its global headcount to 4,057, with a 30 per cent increase in 2017 alone. Workplace initiatives, such as awards for long service and the chance for employees to name products after themselves, have seen jobseekers look to the UK retailer as the most desirable destination.

Holly Middlemiss, talent brand and engagement partner at ASOS, said the company’s employees “live and breathe our values of authenticity, creativity and bravery”.

“It’s equally important for us reflect these through our employer brand, bringing to life our unique culture internally and externally. At ASOS we do things not just to simply tick a box – rather, we genuinely care, we want to do the right thing and see the value in doing so.

“You spend a majority of your life at work, so why shouldn’t it be with a company you love, where you believe you’re making a positive difference and feel truly valued?”

__________________________________________________________________________________

Fairer taxation of digital economy crucial to high street survival

The government must help independent shopkeepers remain competitive by reforming the way online firms such as Amazon and ASOS are taxed, according to a committee of MPs.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Sign up to our newsletter to get the latest from Business Advice.