Business News Round Up (09/07/2021)
1 in 10 business in the UK and Europe struggle to recruit staff remotely
Global expenses app, ExpenseOnDemand, has published new data highlighting how 1 in 10 business in UK and across Europe struggle to hire new staff remotely as they are an unknown entity and are concerned about monitoring them. Across Asia this number increases hugely with over half (54%) of businesses admitting they don’t want to recruit new staff remotely. These results come as millions of businesses continue to work remote working with many firms delaying the new hybrid model that has touted as the expected future of the workplace. The report went on to show that along with not being able to monitor the new hires business owners were also concerned with onboarding new team members with 28% stating they would be concerned about being able to deliver the right training and orientation. The on-boarding & training element was common across the world. The other issue with remote hiring that was flagged was managing claims and reimbursements with nearly 1 in 5 (19%) believing this would also be an issue.
Scottish shopper footfall stalls in June
Scottish footfall fell by 29.5% in June, a 4.8% drop from May, according to the latest Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) and Sensormatic IQ data. This is below the UK average decline of 27.6% and meant Scotland saw the steepest decline in footfall out of all UK nations. Shopping centre footfall declined by 34.1% in June, down from a 33% drop in May. Footfall in Glasgow decreased by 30.3%, a 7.2% decline from May. To make meaningful comparisons to changes in footfall, all 2021 figures are compared with the pre-pandemic 2019 statistics.
https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-shopper-footfall-stalls-june-24489293
UK recovery slows in May despite lifting of Covid restrictions
Britain’s post-lockdown economic rebound slowed sharply in May despite a further relaxation of social-distancing rules, according to official data which also showed the hit to carmakers from a global shortage of microchips. Gross domestic product expanded by a monthly 0.8%, much faster than its typical pre-pandemic pace but down from April’s 2.0% surge and a lot weaker than the median forecast of 1.5%. April saw the easing of restrictions for non-essential retailers, hairdressers, and pubs and restaurants that could serve customers outside. In May, hospitality firms were allowed to resume indoor service. Britain’s dominant services sector grew by a weaker-than-expected 0.9% in May from April as a huge 37.1% monthly jump for accommodation and food services failed to offset slower increases elsewhere in the sector.
https://aboutmanchester.co.uk/uk-recovery-slows-in-may-despite-lifing-of-covid-restrictions/
Covid in Scotland: Glasgow Life to cut 500 jobs due to venue closures
About 500 jobs are to go at the organisation which runs libraries, museums, and sports centres for Glasgow City Council. The Glasgow Life charity said it had lost £38m due to the closure of dozens of venues during the pandemic. Many of the facilities have been shut since last March and will not reopen before the end of this year. Glasgow Life said the job cuts would be made “over time” and would not involve compulsory redundancies. Instead, the not-for-profit organisation said it would target early retirement packages and voluntary redundancies. The attractions run by Glasgow Life for the council include Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the People’s Palace, Riverside Museum, and the Mitchell Library. Eighty of its 171 venues across the city remain shut.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-57767863