Attracting and recruiting staff remains a challenge

Attracting and recruiting staff remains a challenge for 68% of grocery businesses, increasing to 80% for eating-out businesses, according to the latest Wholesale Market report

The report from Lumina Intelligence revealed the leading reasons behind the current staff shortages were named as Brexit workforce migration, low-paying sectors and increased competition exacerbated by the pandemic.

To counter this, FWD is lobbying government for more international labour and has created the Future Leaders Forum, bringing together up-and-coming leaders within the sector to develop talent and benefit the industry.

Operators across the supply chain are investing in the future of staffing, including AF Blakemore, which has invested in driving training to help overcome driver shortages, enabling 108 colleagues gain a new LGV driving license in the past year. JJ Foodservice has launched a female friendly recruitment campaign to encourage more women to consider HGV driver roles while JW Filshill has created an employee wellness group.

AF Blakemore Future Leaders Forum Government JJ Food Service JW Filshill Lumina Intelligence recruitment report staff