The employee review platform Glassdoor has uncovered evidence of attempted manipulation of employer ratings for the British discount retailer B&M. The platform has taken the extraordinary measure of displaying a warning notice on B&M’s company profile, indicating detection of “particularly aggressive” attempts to artificially enhance the company’s employer rating.
The revelation comes at a challenging time for B&M, which manages a workforce of approximately 33,000 people across the United Kingdom. The retailer’s current Glassdoor rating stands at 3.1 out of 5, derived from 3,688 reviews, falling below the retail and wholesale sector average of 3.5. Employee feedback frequently highlights concerns over remuneration and excessive workloads, whilst only one-third of reviewers express approval of chief executive Alex Russo’s leadership.
B&M’s response to the allegations emphasises their “zero-tolerance approach to artificial review rankings.” A company spokesperson acknowledged the historical nature of the warning banner and cited the implementation of new policies to prevent such practices, expressing their intention to collaborate with Glassdoor for the banner’s removal.
The controversy emerges amid broader business challenges for the retail giant. B&M’s market position has weakened considerably, with shares plummeting 35 per cent to 362.70p this year, triggered by decelerating sales growth and diminishing profit margins. The company’s recent ejection from the prestigious FTSE 100 index compounds these difficulties, despite reporting underlying profits of £274 million on sales of £2.6 billion in the six months to September.
The retail sector’s intensifying competition, particularly from Tesco and Home Bargains, combined with subdued consumer spending, presents significant hurdles for B&M’s 764 UK stores. These developments signal a critical period for the discount retailer as it navigates both reputational and financial challenges in an increasingly competitive market landscape.
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