Blog 10: Sports Direct Bah Humbug

Sports Direct and owner Mike Ashley have had a very difficult year with bad reports in the media, loosing sales and share price falling, it's safe to say Sports Direct have had better reports. Mike Ashley is willing to change this and not being a 'Scrooge' this Christmas.
His employees have had the worst of it, with there 0 hour contracts, minimum wage and poor working conditions. Mike Ashley has promised to improve working conditions which I believe is very important and I believe his sales will rise because of this. Employees work better when they feel comfortable in there working environment, this will improve customer service - increasing sales evidentially.
He is going to introduce a special share scheme for workers which allows employees to receive shares at a cheaper price. When I worked at Morrisons they did something similar, I wasn't specifically interested myself but I know fellow colleagues who worked there full time took advantage of this and it gave there financial situation a little boost which helps improve they're relationship with the company as it's a bonus we got.
Along with this announcement Mike Ashley also bought a private company jet for he more executive employees to travel around, which is very over the top and Mike Ashley style. Gestures like this please employees and help build positive relationships which is extremely import for  business to work.
This article also mentions about the slight dip in sales Sports Direct have had. The graph bellows shows competitors JD Sports have outsold Sports Direct in the past year, but I feel confident with the changes to the company Mike Ashley has made for 2017 it should be a more promising year for the company.