Driving Employee Engagement and Satisfaction: Lookers’ Journey with BHN Extras
Introduction
Lookers, a leading motor retail and aftersales service group in the UK and Ireland, prides itself on offering an outstanding retail experience. With over 6,000 employees across 150 franchise dealerships, Lookers represents 32 manufacturer brands, providing a diverse range of new and used vehicles. Their commitment to service excellence is matched by a dedication to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and engaged corporate culture. Recognising the importance of reward and recognition, Lookers sought to enhance their employee benefits offering to align with their corporate values of being Simple, Engaging, and Transparent.
The Challenge
In an industry where employee engagement and satisfaction are critical, Lookers faced the challenge of providing a comprehensive benefits package that would not only attract but also retain top talent. The automotive sector is highly competitive, and ensuring employee wellbeing and financial stability is paramount. Lookers needed a solution that could offer a variety of benefits tailored to the diverse needs of their workforce, especially during challenging times such as the cost-of-living crisis.
The Solution
In 2019, Lookers partnered with BHN Extras to introduce Cyclescheme, allowing employees to save money on bikes and accessories while promoting a healthy lifestyle. The success of this initiative led to the adoption of a broader benefits suite through BHN Extras in 2022. The sign-on employee benefits platform offers an easy-to-use experience, where employees can access and use a range of money-saving benefits, including:
- • Home & Tech: Enables employees to spread the cost interest-free on over 5,000 tech items and appliances from Currys and over 8,400 items at IKEA.
- • Cyclescheme: Offers up to 42% savings on bikes and accessories, with interest-free payment options.
- • bYond: A prepaid shopping card providing up to 15% cashback at over 85 UK high street retailers, helping employees maximize their spending power.
- • Extras Discounts: Provides up to 15% savings on physical and digital gift cards from major retailers.
- • Green Car Benefit: Helping employees travel more sustainably by removing the, often high, barrier of price when purchasing electric vehicles.; offering fixed monthly payments - pre-income tax and national insurance.
- • MyGymDiscounts: The corporate gym discount, offering employees up to 25% discount off gym memberships, health clubs, and classes across the UK.
- • syd™: The AI powered life quality app, helping employees improve their personal, financial and physical wellbeing.
BHN’s comprehensive suite has empowered Lookers’ employees by giving them control over their benefits, addressing their financial and wellbeing needs effectively. In fact, the implementation of BHN Extras has led to significant successes for Lookers:
- • Home & Tech: Saw a 21% uptake in 2023, a substantial increase from 13.8% in 2022. The scheme’s popularity surged with a remarkable £100k of orders within the first 24 hours of its 2020 launch. This equates to a total of £11,970 worth of savings for Lookers employees within a 24-hour period.
- • bYond: Launched in November 2022, bYond quickly gained traction with 201 sign-ups, achieving a 2.9% uptake. Since then, the Lookers team has saved a whopping £9,773 on everyday purchases. No behavioural change, just by switching out which card they’re paying with.
Feedback from employees highlights the positive impact of these benefits:
“Our Home & Tech scheme is one of the many fantastic benefits of working at Lookers! Our benefits package truly is market leading.”
“The Home & Tech scheme allowed me to spread the cost at 0% over 12 months for large purchases, especially helpful around Christmas.”
“I mainly use the Home & Tech scheme to replace my mobile phone each year and just have a sim only with the network. The fact that it’s spread over a year and is 0% interest makes it a great option as I then a great sim only offer too which works out much cheaper over the year. I’ve also found it helpful at times when you don’t want to have to spend big on the things you need. Last year, my cooker decided to stop working at Christmas and no one wants to buy big items like that when you have all the other expenses to work through at that time of year. The scheme is really useful!”
“Nothing could be better. I really like the scheme and it works well for me. I’ve bought an iPhone, AirPods, iron, kettle and toaster. It’s really simple and easy to use.”
“BHN have been excellent service providers. Every request or query is answered immediately where possible. The team are really informed, and go the extra mile at every stage.”
Looking Ahead
The partnership between Lookers and BHN Extras continues to flourish, with plans to further enhance the benefits offering. Lookers aims to explore additional BHN solutions to support their employees’ evolving needs, ensuring they remain a top employer in the motor retail industry.
Learn more about BHN Extras
BHN Extras specialises in delivering impactful and effective employee benefits. Our platform offers a wide range of services, including the UK’s leading Cycle to Work scheme, which empowers employees to make sustainable commuting choices while saving on bike and accessory purchases. With a focus on ease of use and a vast selection of suppliers, BHN Extras ensures a seamless experience for both employers and employees.
Join BHN Extras today and discover how innovative solutions can enhance your employee benefits program.
Click here to sign up for a free BHN Extras account and get started on the path to a more engaged and satisfied workforce.