Gender Pay Gap Report 2024

At Hobbycraft, we are the UK’s largest arts and crafts retailer, dedicated to getting Britain making. That’s because crafting is more than just a hobby; it’s a powerful tool for improving mental health and wellbeing. Studies show it can reduce stress, boost confidence, and provide a sense of achievement. That’s why our role extends beyond being a retailer; we aim to inspire, guide, and empower makers with the best products, expert advice, and hands-on learning through our online and in-store workshops. We are committed to making a positive difference, not just through the products we offer but in how we support our communities and our colleagues. Sustainability remains a priority, alongside creating a workplace that champions wellbeing, inclusivity, and fairness. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Our people are what make Hobbycraft special, and we strive to ensure every colleague feels valued, supported, and empowered.

Last year, our colleagues voted us the #3 Best Big Company to Work For in the UK 2024 and the #5 Best Retailer to Work For in the UK 2024. We were also recognised for achieving ‘world-class’ levels of engagement and received a special award for our commitment to colleague wellbeing.

As of 5th April 2024, Hobbycraft had 2,420 reportable colleagues, with 19% male and 81% female, reflecting a 1% increase in female representation compared to last year. We acknowledge that not all colleagues identify with male and female genders, however, as stated in the legislation, we have listed them as such for the purposes of the reporting.

Background

This data has been compiled in line with the Gender Pay Gap Reporting legislation, using the required statutory calculations. The gender pay gap measures the difference in average pay between all male and female full-pay colleagues within a defined group. These calculations do not account for full-time equivalent normalisation. It is important to note that the gender pay gap is not the same as unequal pay. Unequal pay is giving women less than men for the same work, which has been against the law since the Equal Pay Act was introduced in 1970. A company’s gender pay gap can be influenced by various factors, such as a higher proportion of women in less senior roles or part-time positions.

At the time of reporting for 2024, 81% of Hobbycraft’s total colleagues (both relevant and full-pay relevant) were female. In our stores, 86.95% of colleagues were female, while 13.05% were male. Within our support functions, 56.92% of colleagues were female and 43.08% were male.

Our Gender Pay Gap

Our pay for male colleagues was

28.32% Lower (Mean)

8.63% Lower (Median)

Why the Gap?

We are committed to equal pay for all colleagues, ensuring that pay is based on role rather than gender. Our gender pay gap is primarily influenced by the structure of our in-store teams. A significant proportion of our store-based roles; 61.49% of total store colleagues are part-time Sales Advisors, who are paid set hourly rates that apply equally to all colleagues, regardless of gender. This has a notable impact on our overall gender pay gap results. As outlined above, our stores have a higher proportion of female colleagues, and we are confident that all roles are paid fairly to all colleagues.

Gender Bonus Gap

The vast majority of our colleagues did not receive a bonus last year, with only 12 colleagues receiving one in total.

0.21% of male colleagues and 0.56% of female colleagues received a bonus payment.

When measured as a mean average, bonus pay for female colleagues was 39.41% lower than for male colleagues.

• When measured as a median average, it was 41.19% lower.

Pay Quartiles

In accordance with gender pay gap reporting regulations, we have outlined the gender distribution across four equally sized quartiles based on pay range. The following charts illustrate the proportion of male and female colleagues within each pay quartile at Hobbycraft.

Compared to last year

The Upper Quartile has seen an increase in female by stayed the same vs last year

The Upper Middle Quartile has seen an increase in females by 1%

The Lower Middle Quartile has seen an increase in males by 2%

The Lower Quartile has seen an increase in females by 2%

Actions

We are pleased to see an increase in the percentage of female colleagues in the middle pay quartile, reflecting positive progress. As a retailer, we are proud to have a diverse workforce, made up of colleagues from a wide range of communities and backgrounds. Our recruitment focuses on skill, passion, a love of craft, and dedication to customer service, which is also reflected in our customer base. While this passion defines our colleagues, we recognise that there are always opportunities for growth and development.

Over the past year, we have seen shifts in gender representation across most pay quartiles. There has been an increase in male colleagues in the lower middle quartile and an increase in female colleagues in the lower quartile, consistent with last year’s trends. These changes impact our reporting, but we remain confident that all colleagues are paid fairly, based solely on their role and responsibilities, regardless of gender.

We are proud to have strong female representation across all levels of the business, including store management, senior leadership, and director roles, demonstrating our commitment to both equal pay and career progression for women. To further support our colleagues, flexible and hybrid working arrangements continue to be in place.

We remain dedicated to enhancing diversity, inclusion, and representation across Hobbycraft. We encourage all colleagues to reach their full potential through training, development, and progression opportunities, with selection based purely on attitude, ability, and merit - never gender.

Our Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee continues to champion these commitments throughout the business. This year, we will complete the rollout of Unconscious Bias Training for all colleagues, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a more equitable, inclusive, and self-aware workplace.

We acknowledge that the nature of our business contributes to a predominantly female workforce and is representative of the retail environment. However, we are committed to closing the gender pay and bonus pay gaps throughout the business. While these figures are an important measure, we believe that true progress is about building an inclusive culture where all colleagues feel valued and supported. At Hobbycraft, our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we remain dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing, and rewarding workplace where everyone can thrive.