First BELUX Chapter Retailer Roundtable
The first Retailer Roundtable hosted by the BELUX Chapter was held on May 12, 2022 (by-inivitation only): a retailers' dialogue on how to advance women in the retail industry. Here are some of the key takeaways:
- Even though 2/3 of store personnel in Belgium is female, within the retailers' management teams & direction committees, there is no balanced slate. On the contrary, there is very little female representation
- Human skills need to be embraced much more in the workplace: not only focus on what the person accomplishes but the whole person
- Gender stereotypes and roles are still very present. Bringing change starts with more awareness. There is a need for more research and understanding of specific barriers & enablers in the retail context. So we need to gather data on gender equality to make more informed decisions
- Workplace needs to become future-fit and tailored for what Gen Z and future generations expect. Within others, ensuring work-life balance through flexibility and job redesign, especially in the store context
- Building a sense of community is more important than ever. Focus on networking to stimulate role-modeling, experience & best practice sharing. And give employees the ability to interact and communicate with one another on the topic
- It starts with all of us! We also need male allies to drive the change
Special thanks to Heidi Verbruggen, Director Operational Excellence Stores Carrefour, Joy Sclabi, Regional Manager West-Vlaanderen, Metro/Makro, Liesbeth Sabbe, Director People & Organization, Colruyt, Maud Loonen, Commercial Manager Belgium, A.S. Watson Benelux, Maurits Vanackere, Social Affairs Associate, Comeos, Pommelien Cockaerts, Store Manager, Delhaize and Aurélie Ceuppens, Wellbeing & Diversity Manager, Delhaize for your participation.
And to Griet Demasure, Marketing director Beauty- & Personal Care Benelux, Unilever and Ruvarashe Chinyemba, Head of Strategic Partnerships Cabosse Naturals, Barry Callebaut Group for the moderation.
More about the BELUX Chapter here