About The Perfume Shop

In order to effectively develop both newly recruited and internally promoted Managers, The Perfume Shop offer a programme called The Management Academy. It starts with a period of job shadowing in an established store, followed by a week long face to face training session. The face to face session is a blended experience and includes assessments, presentations, interactive quizzes and a practical experience in the ‘Mock Shop’. Store Managers are measured on business KPIs, including but not limited to sales, average selling price and compliance. These are weekly measures. The Perfume Shop also measures development needs by "Me Plans" and plot results onto a skills wheel. This score is then averaged to provide a talent score and is used as part of talent development. The FISH philosophy is always used at daily team huddles to set standards for performance. Head Office Managers' performance is also measured twice a year through formal reviews and objectives, which are then captured on a system. All Managers are expected to have formal performance conversations with members of their team at least twice per year, as well as regular one to one’s.

A key goal for 2016 was to make the learning and development within The Perfume Shop accessible to everyone. By creating the Learning Ladder for stores the company have been able to map out a very clear four step development plan. The Ladder looks at store based employees, Sales Assistants, Supervisors, Deputy Managers and Store Managers. It identifies both required training and external qualifications. There are also programmes that promote talent within each role, such as The Perfume Masters and TMA. The company have also provided every Head Office and Operations team member a £200 GROW account. This is to spend on their own development and encourages the individual to take ownership of learning. Every store employee who joins the business receives a Perfume School box. The box contains ‘Foundation,’ the first of their modular learning. Once completed the business provide a chance for the individual to increase their knowledge with the Diploma Level. For those who have demonstrated a real passion for product and expertise The Perfume Shop will then provide sponsorship to an external qualification, The Fragrance Foundation.

In 2016 The Perfume Shop's holiday buy and sell scheme was increased to five buy or sell days. Also new are flu jab vouchers. To celebrate 175 years of the company’s parent Company A.S. Watson in August, at Head Office they decided to cycle 175 miles on two static bicycles. Employees cycled over 330 miles, with over 50 people joining in the fun! It created and cultivated a great atmosphere as well as promoting all round employee wellbeing. There is also an active Social Committee who throughout 2016 have arranged a number of fun activities for employees, including Danceathon, Zumba, a Christmas Party and Quiz Nights. A weekly Pilates class is offered free of charge to all employees at Head Office on site in working time. There is 5 Aside Football team who play weekly. The company have also implemented an additional break out area at Head Office and the football table is also very popular! The company’s Employee Assistance Programme provides free counselling services and the online employee benefits portal (available to all) includes a "Health & Wellness Store", which includes exercise tips and general health advice. In 2016 The Perfume Shop ran three mental health training sessions for Managers, which covered types of mental health issues in the workplace, skills and techniques for Managers to spot the warning signs and where to seek help through signposting to specific external specialists and charities.