B&Q axes 220 staff (From Daily Echo)
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B&Q staff told of 220 job losses at firm
10:03am Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News
By Bethan Phillips, Reporter
B&Q axes 220 staff at head office in Chandler's Ford
More than 200 jobs will be lost at the Hampshire headquarters of DIY chain B&Q, it has been revealed today.
The redundancies have been announced as part of a “realignment” of employees at the offices in Chandler's Ford.
Staff at the company were informed this morning about the cuts and a 90-day consultation period will now start.
The retail giant announced plunging profits earlier this year, after the wettest summer in 100 years.
Kingfisher, the group that owns B&Q, said that £30m had been wiped off the group's profits as demand for gardening and outdoor maintenance goods plummeted.
B&Q, who a year ago moved its 1,200 head office staff into a brand new building in Chestnut Avenue, said there were no plans to move their base from Hampshire and that they were “totally committed to the area”.
The company has also said it has created 100 new head office roles as part of the restructure - but there is still a net loss of 220 jobs.
It told staff affected by the redundancies that it will offer “enhanced redundancy packages, which go way beyond statutory requirements.”
In a statement, the company's people director, Fraser Longden added: “We recognise this is a difficult time for everyone and thank everyone for their contributions to the business and this process; these changes are fundamental to creating sustainable jobs and the future growth of the business.”
Comments(55)
peenut81
says...
10:26am Tue 9 Oct 12
Management also failed to plan for a wet summer by diversifying or ordering less traditional summer stock.
I'm sure the parasitic accountants, lawyers and bankers involved took their cut still.
dsm
says...
10:28am Tue 9 Oct 12
So that's Head Office closed down soon then.
George4th
says...
10:34am Tue 9 Oct 12
Shoong
says...
10:36am Tue 9 Oct 12
Lone Ranger. wrote:Your right, they should put their entire business at risk and therefore risking the other 85% of the workforce who might like to keep their jobs.
Quote:- .. In a statement, the company said that as a result of restructuring, 200 jobs would be lost and 100 new ones created.
.
So to translate :- 200 earning above the minimum wage will be sacked then half will be offered the same job paying just the minimum wage.
.
And this Tory led government want to make it easier to sack staff ..... and are totally against the minimum wage . .... Thank God for Unions
southy
says...
10:50am Tue 9 Oct 12
Lone Ranger. wrote:B&Q have been slowly reducing its front line work staff for years now
Quote:- .. In a statement, the company said that as a result of restructuring, 200 jobs would be lost and 100 new ones created.
.
So to translate :- 200 earning above the minimum wage will be sacked then half will be offered the same job paying just the minimum wage.
.
And this Tory led government want to make it easier to sack staff ..... and are totally against the minimum wage . .... Thank God for Unions
southy
says...
10:54am Tue 9 Oct 12
Shoong wrote:All business are at risk with the slump in the market thats has been cause though capitalism, the greed of the 2 to 3% of the population is putting every ones jobs at risk.
Lone Ranger. wrote:Your right, they should put their entire business at risk and therefore risking the other 85% of the workforce who might like to keep their jobs.
Quote:- .. In a statement, the company said that as a result of restructuring, 200 jobs would be lost and 100 new ones created.
.
So to translate :- 200 earning above the minimum wage will be sacked then half will be offered the same job paying just the minimum wage.
.
And this Tory led government want to make it easier to sack staff ..... and are totally against the minimum wage . .... Thank God for Unions
Listen to the news early this morning this years growth as been recalcuted and it now stands at -0.3 growth.
bigfella
says...
11:01am Tue 9 Oct 12
Lone Ranger. wrote:possibly the most ignorant message i've ever seen in here, and thats saying something given the standards
Quote:- .. In a statement, the company said that as a result of restructuring, 200 jobs would be lost and 100 new ones created. . So to translate :- 200 earning above the minimum wage will be sacked then half will be offered the same job paying just the minimum wage. . And this Tory led government want to make it easier to sack staff ..... and are totally against the minimum wage . .... Thank God for Unions
ajw1986
says...
11:03am Tue 9 Oct 12
Restructuring its current work force is the best way to deal with the lower figures due to the current economic climate.
southy
says...
11:04am Tue 9 Oct 12
bigfella wrote:Not ignorant at all this is what is going on and its not as low they are passing the savings onto the customer they are not, they are just interested in bigger profits so they can hoard that money in tax free banking.
Lone Ranger. wrote:possibly the most ignorant message i've ever seen in here, and thats saying something given the standards
Quote:- .. In a statement, the company said that as a result of restructuring, 200 jobs would be lost and 100 new ones created. . So to translate :- 200 earning above the minimum wage will be sacked then half will be offered the same job paying just the minimum wage. . And this Tory led government want to make it easier to sack staff ..... and are totally against the minimum wage . .... Thank God for Unions
Lone Ranger.
says...
11:05am Tue 9 Oct 12
bigfella wrote:What even more ignorant than your's .. ...... Nah i dont think so
Lone Ranger. wrote:possibly the most ignorant message i've ever seen in here, and thats saying something given the standards
Quote:- .. In a statement, the company said that as a result of restructuring, 200 jobs would be lost and 100 new ones created. . So to translate :- 200 earning above the minimum wage will be sacked then half will be offered the same job paying just the minimum wage. . And this Tory led government want to make it easier to sack staff ..... and are totally against the minimum wage . .... Thank God for Unions
captain manering
says...
11:10am Tue 9 Oct 12
sotonwinch09
says...
11:13am Tue 9 Oct 12
ohec
says...
11:30am Tue 9 Oct 12
ohec
says...
11:30am Tue 9 Oct 12
Shoong
says...
11:32am Tue 9 Oct 12
southy wrote:I'd be interested to know how Tax Free Banking works for companies like B&Q, as someone in the know can you attempt to explain or point us in the direction of where we can read up on it?
bigfella wrote:Not ignorant at all this is what is going on and its not as low they are passing the savings onto the customer they are not, they are just interested in bigger profits so they can hoard that money in tax free banking.
Lone Ranger. wrote:possibly the most ignorant message i've ever seen in here, and thats saying something given the standards
Quote:- .. In a statement, the company said that as a result of restructuring, 200 jobs would be lost and 100 new ones created. . So to translate :- 200 earning above the minimum wage will be sacked then half will be offered the same job paying just the minimum wage. . And this Tory led government want to make it easier to sack staff ..... and are totally against the minimum wage . .... Thank God for Unions
freefinker
says...
11:35am Tue 9 Oct 12
southy wrote:I really don’t think you should be lecturing us on how B & Q are organising their finances when you still can’t explain how TUSC would actually honour its manifesto commitment of ‘No Cuts’.
bigfella wrote:Not ignorant at all this is what is going on and its not as low they are passing the savings onto the customer they are not, they are just interested in bigger profits so they can hoard that money in tax free banking.
Lone Ranger. wrote:possibly the most ignorant message i've ever seen in here, and thats saying something given the standards
Quote:- .. In a statement, the company said that as a result of restructuring, 200 jobs would be lost and 100 new ones created. . So to translate :- 200 earning above the minimum wage will be sacked then half will be offered the same job paying just the minimum wage. . And this Tory led government want to make it easier to sack staff ..... and are totally against the minimum wage . .... Thank God for Unions
bigfella
says...
11:45am Tue 9 Oct 12
southy wrote:it was the Union comment i was referring to mostly. The same Unions that brought the country to its knees in the 70's and made the country a laughing stock and resulted us in being bailled out by the EMF and uninvestable?
bigfella wrote:Not ignorant at all this is what is going on and its not as low they are passing the savings onto the customer they are not, they are just interested in bigger profits so they can hoard that money in tax free banking.Lone Ranger. wrote: Quote:- .. In a statement, the company said that as a result of restructuring, 200 jobs would be lost and 100 new ones created. . So to translate :- 200 earning above the minimum wage will be sacked then half will be offered the same job paying just the minimum wage. . And this Tory led government want to make it easier to sack staff ..... and are totally against the minimum wage . .... Thank God for Unionspossibly the most ignorant message i've ever seen in here, and thats saying something given the standards
But so long as they get their 5 fag breaks a day, work to rule, demand additional overtime regardless of cost etc etc etc thats ok.
peachy1
says...
11:50am Tue 9 Oct 12
Whe the like of BAT and Pirelli and kiplings all Pulling out B&Q. Kept building and investing
They could quite easily move out of the country but they haven't
They have also indicated that all those going should financially be looked after
Good luck to all those losing their jobs but B&Q should be applauded for th way they have looked after their employees
Lone Ranger.
says...
12:15pm Tue 9 Oct 12
bigfella wrote:So why not say it was the union comment ??.
southy wrote:it was the Union comment i was referring to mostly. The same Unions that brought the country to its knees in the 70's and made the country a laughing stock and resulted us in being bailled out by the EMF and uninvestable?
bigfella wrote:Not ignorant at all this is what is going on and its not as low they are passing the savings onto the customer they are not, they are just interested in bigger profits so they can hoard that money in tax free banking.Lone Ranger. wrote: Quote:- .. In a statement, the company said that as a result of restructuring, 200 jobs would be lost and 100 new ones created. . So to translate :- 200 earning above the minimum wage will be sacked then half will be offered the same job paying just the minimum wage. . And this Tory led government want to make it easier to sack staff ..... and are totally against the minimum wage . .... Thank God for Unionspossibly the most ignorant message i've ever seen in here, and thats saying something given the standards
But so long as they get their 5 fag breaks a day, work to rule, demand additional overtime regardless of cost etc etc etc thats ok.
.
Once again your description or understanding of the unions IMO are not the same as today ...... As with some other posters you are referering to action that took place 40+ years ago.
.
In addition B&Q were one of the companies that let Slippery Dave know that they would be "picking up" some of the Public workers who were to be made redundant .....
Taskforce 141
says...
12:28pm Tue 9 Oct 12
There are 2 problems in the UK.
1. The greed of the super elite wanting more money at the cost of others
2. The benefit bums, who do nothing to help themselves out of their situation and merely milk the state for what they can get
Solve these two problems and you should see a drastic improvement in this country's finances.
over to you government...
Monty3
says...
1:13pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Over the Edge
says...
1:56pm Tue 9 Oct 12
B&Q are offering extra money for paying off people accepting redundancy without the consultation period, maybe that is what is meant by ''enhanced redundancy packages''
Yesterday SCC announced a proposal for 200 redundancies to made at the council, many people on here slaughtered them for it, yet today those same people are commending a private sector business for making 200 redundant.
Double standards?
pantsanon
says...
1:57pm Tue 9 Oct 12
ajw1986 wrote:Poor management has caused all this staff in stores have not the option of a redundancy package .why are they taking on staff from stores i know someone from nursling store who has just been taken on by h/o? couldnt someone who worked there had that job?slump in sales has nothing to do with the weather is the poor management of stores and skeleton staff in stores that cannot give good customer service .I feel for the staff in stores who no longer have the option of a work life balance ( if they do the revised hours)or as a service manager has said " If you cant do it there's the door " nice ! poor store performance comes from the management who run it... current economic climate is just an excuse for poor managerial performance . overpaid ,idiots B&Q cut your managers wages if the stores dont deliver a realistic budget, as for year on year budgets doesnt the weather ever be taken into account when these are being set?
It sounds like the best option for everyone, plus if the redundancy package is more than usual its not like they are being stuped.
Restructuring its current work force is the best way to deal with the lower figures due to the current economic climate.
pantsanon
says...
2:02pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Monty3 wrote:Same as the stores mate worst company ever to work for i will not allow my child to ever work there .
I used to work at Head Office and the place is full of bullies; with incompetent management! They should have gone with a less impressive & unnecessary new headquarters…maybe there would be a few less staff facing redundancy.
pantsanon
says...
2:08pm Tue 9 Oct 12
bigfella wrote:They are above minimum wage, but its the way the firm treats you that effects people more . its not all about money some of us have pride and morals .Hence why i dont work there and never would.
Lone Ranger. wrote:possibly the most ignorant message i've ever seen in here, and thats saying something given the standards
Quote:- .. In a statement, the company said that as a result of restructuring, 200 jobs would be lost and 100 new ones created. . So to translate :- 200 earning above the minimum wage will be sacked then half will be offered the same job paying just the minimum wage. . And this Tory led government want to make it easier to sack staff ..... and are totally against the minimum wage . .... Thank God for Unions
pantsanon
says...
2:12pm Tue 9 Oct 12
peachy1 wrote:Lol excellent employer i suggest you get a job with them and in a years time you can comment again i can assure you your comment will not involve excellent employer!
Doesn't matter what any of you say in your comments the fact is that B&Q have been an excellent employer in this area for many years
Whe the like of BAT and Pirelli and kiplings all Pulling out B&Q. Kept building and investing
They could quite easily move out of the country but they haven't
They have also indicated that all those going should financially be looked after
Good luck to all those losing their jobs but B&Q should be applauded for th way they have looked after their employees
Shoong
says...
2:45pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Lone Ranger. wrote:He actually said B&Q would help pick up the slack? When? I'd be interested to know.
bigfella wrote:So why not say it was the union comment ??.
southy wrote:it was the Union comment i was referring to mostly. The same Unions that brought the country to its knees in the 70's and made the country a laughing stock and resulted us in being bailled out by the EMF and uninvestable?
bigfella wrote:Not ignorant at all this is what is going on and its not as low they are passing the savings onto the customer they are not, they are just interested in bigger profits so they can hoard that money in tax free banking.Lone Ranger. wrote: Quote:- .. In a statement, the company said that as a result of restructuring, 200 jobs would be lost and 100 new ones created. . So to translate :- 200 earning above the minimum wage will be sacked then half will be offered the same job paying just the minimum wage. . And this Tory led government want to make it easier to sack staff ..... and are totally against the minimum wage . .... Thank God for Unionspossibly the most ignorant message i've ever seen in here, and thats saying something given the standards
But so long as they get their 5 fag breaks a day, work to rule, demand additional overtime regardless of cost etc etc etc thats ok.
.
Once again your description or understanding of the unions IMO are not the same as today ...... As with some other posters you are referering to action that took place 40+ years ago.
.
In addition B&Q were one of the companies that let Slippery Dave know that they would be "picking up" some of the Public workers who were to be made redundant .....
A link to an article perhaps?
Lone Ranger.
says...
2:47pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Over the Edge wrote:Spot on ........ and good luck to your mate.
My mate was told this morning he will not be redundant, however not his current job will change and he won't find out until Friday what his new job will be.
B&Q are offering extra money for paying off people accepting redundancy without the consultation period, maybe that is what is meant by ''enhanced redundancy packages''
Yesterday SCC announced a proposal for 200 redundancies to made at the council, many people on here slaughtered them for it, yet today those same people are commending a private sector business for making 200 redundant.
Double standards?
.
Double standards is a very polite term for those posters
Shoong
says...
2:52pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Lone Ranger. wrote:I can only see one comment above that you two may have had the misfortune of misunderstanding as 'commending' B&Q for making people redundant. 'Ave a word.
Over the Edge wrote:Spot on ........ and good luck to your mate.
My mate was told this morning he will not be redundant, however not his current job will change and he won't find out until Friday what his new job will be.
B&Q are offering extra money for paying off people accepting redundancy without the consultation period, maybe that is what is meant by ''enhanced redundancy packages''
Yesterday SCC announced a proposal for 200 redundancies to made at the council, many people on here slaughtered them for it, yet today those same people are commending a private sector business for making 200 redundant.
Double standards?
.
Double standards is a very polite term for those posters
elvisimo
says...
3:10pm Tue 9 Oct 12
pantsanon wrote:so you are southampton equivalent of Mary Portas?
ajw1986 wrote: It sounds like the best option for everyone, plus if the redundancy package is more than usual its not like they are being stuped. Restructuring its current work force is the best way to deal with the lower figures due to the current economic climate.Poor management has caused all this staff in stores have not the option of a redundancy package .why are they taking on staff from stores i know someone from nursling store who has just been taken on by h/o? couldnt someone who worked there had that job?slump in sales has nothing to do with the weather is the poor management of stores and skeleton staff in stores that cannot give good customer service .I feel for the staff in stores who no longer have the option of a work life balance ( if they do the revised hours)or as a service manager has said " If you cant do it there's the door " nice ! poor store performance comes from the management who run it... current economic climate is just an excuse for poor managerial performance . overpaid ,idiots B&Q cut your managers wages if the stores dont deliver a realistic budget, as for year on year budgets doesnt the weather ever be taken into account when these are being set?
You know exactly why they are not performing well, how their management structure works and what their managers are paid. Not forgeting your Meteorological knowledge.
You should perhap offer your services . Or is this another example of an armchair expert?
roofspace
says...
3:21pm Tue 9 Oct 12
George4th wrote:You have got that the wrong way round. It is not reasonable, it is not "protecting" anyones job, it is protecting their profit. They haven't done this to save anyones job. The way people like you go on one would think that they are not making a profit at all but losing money - they are not, they are just not making the excessive profit they wanted.
Offloading 15% of HQ staff is quite reasonable given the poor trading conditions they have experienced. It protects the remaining 85% who then have the opportunity to give of their best to ensure the business runs smoothly for all the B & Q staff throughout the country.
George4th
says...
3:45pm Tue 9 Oct 12
roofspace wrote:B & Q are downsizing their HQ staff by 200 and protecting the jobs of the other HQ 1000 or so. In other words, the 200 staff are not required - do you want them retained to sit around all day doing nothing?!! Do you know how many staff B & Q employ? About 30,000! Now do the percentages!!!
George4th wrote:You have got that the wrong way round. It is not reasonable, it is not "protecting" anyones job, it is protecting their profit. They haven't done this to save anyones job. The way people like you go on one would think that they are not making a profit at all but losing money - they are not, they are just not making the excessive profit they wanted.
Offloading 15% of HQ staff is quite reasonable given the poor trading conditions they have experienced. It protects the remaining 85% who then have the opportunity to give of their best to ensure the business runs smoothly for all the B & Q staff throughout the country.
Over the Edge
says...
4:13pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Shoong wrote:The point I was making was, people on here yesterday slaughtering the new council administration for making 200 redundancies, yet a private sector company making 200 redundancies is seen as protecting jobs elsewhere within the company.
Lone Ranger. wrote:I can only see one comment above that you two may have had the misfortune of misunderstanding as 'commending' B&Q for making people redundant. 'Ave a word.
Over the Edge wrote:Spot on ........ and good luck to your mate.
My mate was told this morning he will not be redundant, however not his current job will change and he won't find out until Friday what his new job will be.
B&Q are offering extra money for paying off people accepting redundancy without the consultation period, maybe that is what is meant by ''enhanced redundancy packages''
Yesterday SCC announced a proposal for 200 redundancies to made at the council, many people on here slaughtered them for it, yet today those same people are commending a private sector business for making 200 redundant.
Double standards?
.
Double standards is a very polite term for those posters
stopoutsourcing
says...
4:25pm Tue 9 Oct 12
chavfreezone
says...
4:37pm Tue 9 Oct 12
All those slagging unions off will come to regret it one day.
First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the socialists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.
George4th
says...
4:40pm Tue 9 Oct 12
chavfreezone wrote:You could ask Southy!
as usual those who made the bad decisions i.e. management will keep their jobs and the workers lose there's..
All those slagging unions off will come to regret it one day.
First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the socialists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.
Georgem
says...
5:02pm Tue 9 Oct 12
roofspace wrote:B & Q are entitled to make a profit, and they're under no obligation to employ anyone. It's unfortunate that people are losing their jobs, but that's the free market for you.
George4th wrote:You have got that the wrong way round. It is not reasonable, it is not "protecting" anyones job, it is protecting their profit. They haven't done this to save anyones job. The way people like you go on one would think that they are not making a profit at all but losing money - they are not, they are just not making the excessive profit they wanted.
Offloading 15% of HQ staff is quite reasonable given the poor trading conditions they have experienced. It protects the remaining 85% who then have the opportunity to give of their best to ensure the business runs smoothly for all the B & Q staff throughout the country.
Monty3
says...
6:45pm Tue 9 Oct 12
pantsanon wrote:I tell everyone I know not to work for them or let people they know work for them.
Monty3 wrote:Same as the stores mate worst company ever to work for i will not allow my child to ever work there .
I used to work at Head Office and the place is full of bullies; with incompetent management! They should have gone with a less impressive & unnecessary new headquarters…maybe there would be a few less staff facing redundancy.
It's a bully culture...the managers would sell their own grandmothers to get one up on someone else!
Let's all go to Ikea! :-)
Torchie1
says...
6:51pm Tue 9 Oct 12
roofspace wrote:If you owned your own business you would understand that the basic idea is to make money by being your own boss, taking your own risks and reaping the rewards. The balance sheet has to be a lot more than +1p in order to demonstrate success for lots of reasons and you don't shed staff on a whim or in order to increase the bottom line. The world is in a mess at the moment and there's no point in risking the whole business venture when by making prudent cuts, the majority can be allowed to survive. Times of plenty will return and if the business is no longer there, then no-one can be re-employed. It's tough but currently some very unpleasant decisions have to be made and they aren't made lightly.
George4th wrote:You have got that the wrong way round. It is not reasonable, it is not "protecting" anyones job, it is protecting their profit. They haven't done this to save anyones job. The way people like you go on one would think that they are not making a profit at all but losing money - they are not, they are just not making the excessive profit they wanted.
Offloading 15% of HQ staff is quite reasonable given the poor trading conditions they have experienced. It protects the remaining 85% who then have the opportunity to give of their best to ensure the business runs smoothly for all the B & Q staff throughout the country.
mickey01
says...
7:10pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Lone Ranger.
says...
7:25pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Lone Ranger. wrote:As i have said before in response ...... Go and find it yourself if you want to know where it came from .......... Thats if you can be bothered !! ........ Oh and i looked at it and read it again at about 6-30pm today
Over the Edge wrote:Spot on ........ and good luck to your mate.
My mate was told this morning he will not be redundant, however not his current job will change and he won't find out until Friday what his new job will be.
B&Q are offering extra money for paying off people accepting redundancy without the consultation period, maybe that is what is meant by ''enhanced redundancy packages''
Yesterday SCC announced a proposal for 200 redundancies to made at the council, many people on here slaughtered them for it, yet today those same people are commending a private sector business for making 200 redundant.
Double standards?
.
Double standards is a very polite term for those posters
Lone Ranger.
says...
7:29pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Shoong wrote:As i have said before in response ...... Go and find it yourself if you want to know where it came from .......... Thats if you can be bothered !! ........ Oh and i looked at it and read it again at about 6-30pm today
Lone Ranger. wrote:He actually said B&Q would help pick up the slack? When? I'd be interested to know.
bigfella wrote:So why not say it was the union comment ??.
southy wrote:it was the Union comment i was referring to mostly. The same Unions that brought the country to its knees in the 70's and made the country a laughing stock and resulted us in being bailled out by the EMF and uninvestable?
bigfella wrote:Not ignorant at all this is what is going on and its not as low they are passing the savings onto the customer they are not, they are just interested in bigger profits so they can hoard that money in tax free banking.Lone Ranger. wrote: Quote:- .. In a statement, the company said that as a result of restructuring, 200 jobs would be lost and 100 new ones created. . So to translate :- 200 earning above the minimum wage will be sacked then half will be offered the same job paying just the minimum wage. . And this Tory led government want to make it easier to sack staff ..... and are totally against the minimum wage . .... Thank God for Unionspossibly the most ignorant message i've ever seen in here, and thats saying something given the standards
But so long as they get their 5 fag breaks a day, work to rule, demand additional overtime regardless of cost etc etc etc thats ok.
.
Once again your description or understanding of the unions IMO are not the same as today ...... As with some other posters you are referering to action that took place 40+ years ago.
.
In addition B&Q were one of the companies that let Slippery Dave know that they would be "picking up" some of the Public workers who were to be made redundant .....
A link to an article perhaps?
saintmark1977
says...
7:39pm Tue 9 Oct 12
The problem for both of them (and ultimately all of us) is that there is no U K economic growth because of a misguided policy of continued austerity.
It does not surprise me that B and Q suffer when the number of new homes built last year was the lowest since the 1920's and their customers disposable income is at its lowest since the 1990's. What else did they expect?
History shows that no government has ever cut its way out of a double dip recession and nor will the current coalition.
The sadness is that decent people will continue to suffer until there is a change of economic direction.
News Fanatic
says...
9:32pm Tue 9 Oct 12
The kitchen I inherited in my new house was also B&Q supplied and fitted. I had a problem and they fobbed me off.
I have heard of similar experiences with B&Q kitchens/bathrooms.
As a result, B&Q is the very last place I buy anything now.
B&Q should realise that good customer service pays dividends for the business.
derek james
says...
9:42pm Tue 9 Oct 12
saintmark1977 wrote:i'll think you'll find most builders will not get their supllies at B and Q far too expensive!, when you compare their prices for fixings against competitors like In Excess and Screwfix there is no comparison.even retford can get that!
First the coalition government blames the weather (it is too hot,too cold and the wrong type of snow or rain etc etc) for the state of the economy. Now employers are using the same excuse!
The problem for both of them (and ultimately all of us) is that there is no U K economic growth because of a misguided policy of continued austerity.
It does not surprise me that B and Q suffer when the number of new homes built last year was the lowest since the 1920's and their customers disposable income is at its lowest since the 1990's. What else did they expect?
History shows that no government has ever cut its way out of a double dip recession and nor will the current coalition.
The sadness is that decent people will continue to suffer until there is a change of economic direction.
pantsanon
says...
10:33pm Tue 9 Oct 12
elvisimo wrote:Well maybe the "customers" should be listened to, customer service is non existent.If you ring head office you get no answer same as the stores. Have you worked for them? and yes i know what they are paid i know how they attempt to run their stores and i also know managers get rid of staff one way or the other ( just to make their candles shine a little brighter on the backs of poorly treated employees) just so the managers get their bonus. Its disgusting the things i have seen , they are overpaid idiots. When has B&Q NEVER made a profit? just because this years is lower than last years doesnt mean it wasnt a profit after all profit is profit. if they kept their staff and treated them properly their staff would stay and enjoy their job instead they trim the workforce to a point where customer service is null and void. This is not how Mary Portas started? " from her arm chair" now she is a successful business woman. yes i could be her but would B&Q listen? no because they area greedy company and will end up eating itself . No company will survive the harsh winter we are facing in this economic climate by running on less than a skeleton crew, kind regards from ones comfortable armchair.
pantsanon wrote:so you are southampton equivalent of Mary Portas?
ajw1986 wrote: It sounds like the best option for everyone, plus if the redundancy package is more than usual its not like they are being stuped. Restructuring its current work force is the best way to deal with the lower figures due to the current economic climate.Poor management has caused all this staff in stores have not the option of a redundancy package .why are they taking on staff from stores i know someone from nursling store who has just been taken on by h/o? couldnt someone who worked there had that job?slump in sales has nothing to do with the weather is the poor management of stores and skeleton staff in stores that cannot give good customer service .I feel for the staff in stores who no longer have the option of a work life balance ( if they do the revised hours)or as a service manager has said " If you cant do it there's the door " nice ! poor store performance comes from the management who run it... current economic climate is just an excuse for poor managerial performance . overpaid ,idiots B&Q cut your managers wages if the stores dont deliver a realistic budget, as for year on year budgets doesnt the weather ever be taken into account when these are being set?
You know exactly why they are not performing well, how their management structure works and what their managers are paid. Not forgeting your Meteorological knowledge.
You should perhap offer your services . Or is this another example of an armchair expert?
pantsanon
says...
10:37pm Tue 9 Oct 12
pantsanon wrote:All the time B&Q has a safety net to catch it i.e Kingfisher it will proceed to fail on customer relations.
elvisimo wrote:Well maybe the "customers" should be listened to, customer service is non existent.If you ring head office you get no answer same as the stores. Have you worked for them? and yes i know what they are paid i know how they attempt to run their stores and i also know managers get rid of staff one way or the other ( just to make their candles shine a little brighter on the backs of poorly treated employees) just so the managers get their bonus. Its disgusting the things i have seen , they are overpaid idiots. When has B&Q NEVER made a profit? just because this years is lower than last years doesnt mean it wasnt a profit after all profit is profit. if they kept their staff and treated them properly their staff would stay and enjoy their job instead they trim the workforce to a point where customer service is null and void. This is not how Mary Portas started? " from her arm chair" now she is a successful business woman. yes i could be her but would B&Q listen? no because they area greedy company and will end up eating itself . No company will survive the harsh winter we are facing in this economic climate by running on less than a skeleton crew, kind regards from ones comfortable armchair.
pantsanon wrote:so you are southampton equivalent of Mary Portas?
ajw1986 wrote: It sounds like the best option for everyone, plus if the redundancy package is more than usual its not like they are being stuped. Restructuring its current work force is the best way to deal with the lower figures due to the current economic climate.Poor management has caused all this staff in stores have not the option of a redundancy package .why are they taking on staff from stores i know someone from nursling store who has just been taken on by h/o? couldnt someone who worked there had that job?slump in sales has nothing to do with the weather is the poor management of stores and skeleton staff in stores that cannot give good customer service .I feel for the staff in stores who no longer have the option of a work life balance ( if they do the revised hours)or as a service manager has said " If you cant do it there's the door " nice ! poor store performance comes from the management who run it... current economic climate is just an excuse for poor managerial performance . overpaid ,idiots B&Q cut your managers wages if the stores dont deliver a realistic budget, as for year on year budgets doesnt the weather ever be taken into account when these are being set?
You know exactly why they are not performing well, how their management structure works and what their managers are paid. Not forgeting your Meteorological knowledge.
You should perhap offer your services . Or is this another example of an armchair expert?
pantsanon
says...
11:02pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Monty3 wrote:yay ikea here we come
pantsanon wrote:I tell everyone I know not to work for them or let people they know work for them.
Monty3 wrote:Same as the stores mate worst company ever to work for i will not allow my child to ever work there .
I used to work at Head Office and the place is full of bullies; with incompetent management! They should have gone with a less impressive & unnecessary new headquarters…maybe there would be a few less staff facing redundancy.
It's a bully culture...the managers would sell their own grandmothers to get one up on someone else!
Let's all go to Ikea! :-)
peenut81
says...
12:51am Wed 10 Oct 12
Of course there is, man 'created' free trade and capitalism and therefore man can get rid of free trade and capitalism. Its just a case of educating the masses against the greed of a small but rich minority who own our democracy.
Proud from LIVERPOOL
says...
1:51am Wed 10 Oct 12
derek james wrote:Screwfix is owned by kingfisher (the owners of B & Q ).
saintmark1977 wrote:i'll think you'll find most builders will not get their supllies at B and Q far too expensive!, when you compare their prices for fixings against competitors like In Excess and Screwfix there is no comparison.even retford can get that!
First the coalition government blames the weather (it is too hot,too cold and the wrong type of snow or rain etc etc) for the state of the economy. Now employers are using the same excuse!
The problem for both of them (and ultimately all of us) is that there is no U K economic growth because of a misguided policy of continued austerity.
It does not surprise me that B and Q suffer when the number of new homes built last year was the lowest since the 1920's and their customers disposable income is at its lowest since the 1990's. What else did they expect?
History shows that no government has ever cut its way out of a double dip recession and nor will the current coalition.
The sadness is that decent people will continue to suffer until there is a change of economic direction.
The people who used to own Screwfix before B & Q bought it now own Toolstation .
Toolstation usually have branches close to Screwfix.
Georgem
says...
9:00am Wed 10 Oct 12
peenut81 wrote:Sorry, I didn't notice I'd disgusted you. I was too busy thinking about my yacht and wiping my backside on fifty pound notes.
Gerogem, people like you disgust me, in the same comment you argue that its the fault of the 'free market' you also suggest that there is nothing we can do.
Of course there is, man 'created' free trade and capitalism and therefore man can get rid of free trade and capitalism. Its just a case of educating the masses against the greed of a small but rich minority who own our democracy.
Torchie1
says...
10:19am Wed 10 Oct 12
peenut81 wrote:I don't think you've grasped the notion that a scientist is cleverer than you, an athlete can run faster than you, an artist can paint a better picture and an entrepreneur can make more money. Welcome to the real world in which God didn't create us all equal even though socialism would like to drag everyone down to the same level. The energy you put in to your envy and moaning will never achieve anything so channel it towards something useful.
Gerogem, people like you disgust me, in the same comment you argue that its the fault of the 'free market' you also suggest that there is nothing we can do.
Of course there is, man 'created' free trade and capitalism and therefore man can get rid of free trade and capitalism. Its just a case of educating the masses against the greed of a small but rich minority who own our democracy.
ohec
says...
11:21am Wed 10 Oct 12
Shoong
says...
11:59am Wed 10 Oct 12
Lone Ranger. wrote:Great, but as I'm really lazy, certainly too lazy to make vague assumptions and passing them off as facts without any sort of confirmation, can you not do it for me?
Shoong wrote:As i have said before in response ...... Go and find it yourself if you want to know where it came from .......... Thats if you can be bothered !! ........ Oh and i looked at it and read it again at about 6-30pm today
Lone Ranger. wrote:He actually said B&Q would help pick up the slack? When? I'd be interested to know.
bigfella wrote:So why not say it was the union comment ??.
southy wrote:it was the Union comment i was referring to mostly. The same Unions that brought the country to its knees in the 70's and made the country a laughing stock and resulted us in being bailled out by the EMF and uninvestable?
bigfella wrote:Not ignorant at all this is what is going on and its not as low they are passing the savings onto the customer they are not, they are just interested in bigger profits so they can hoard that money in tax free banking.Lone Ranger. wrote: Quote:- .. In a statement, the company said that as a result of restructuring, 200 jobs would be lost and 100 new ones created. . So to translate :- 200 earning above the minimum wage will be sacked then half will be offered the same job paying just the minimum wage. . And this Tory led government want to make it easier to sack staff ..... and are totally against the minimum wage . .... Thank God for Unionspossibly the most ignorant message i've ever seen in here, and thats saying something given the standards
But so long as they get their 5 fag breaks a day, work to rule, demand additional overtime regardless of cost etc etc etc thats ok.
.
Once again your description or understanding of the unions IMO are not the same as today ...... As with some other posters you are referering to action that took place 40+ years ago.
.
In addition B&Q were one of the companies that let Slippery Dave know that they would be "picking up" some of the Public workers who were to be made redundant .....
A link to an article perhaps?
Help me out here.
Lone Ranger. says...
10:20am Tue 9 Oct 12
.
So to translate :- 200 earning above the minimum wage will be sacked then half will be offered the same job paying just the minimum wage.
.
And this Tory led government want to make it easier to sack staff ..... and are totally against the minimum wage . .... Thank God for Unions