Sports Direct has a tricky new year ahead whether it wants to be a new John Lewis. For starters,its share price has to rise, as does its reputationSports Direct’s attempt to turn itself into another John Lewis will inaugurate in earnest this week. Mike Ashley’s comment that he wants to make his chain the best employer on the high street behind the department store giant was unprecedented. In the coming months we will see whether he means what he says or whether the 15p pay rise for staff was, or as the trade union Unite claims,just a PR stunt.
As ever with Ashley, people will see for ulterior motives. He was forced into this position by a Guardian investigation final month into working conditions at the Sports Direct warehouse in Derbyshire and by investor impatience with the share price. Related: The business figures with most at stake in 2016 Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com