Designer Outlet Roermond struggles to find staff while the number of visitors increase

By

Shomara Roosblad

Published
Nov 13, 2018

The Netherlands’ Designer Outlet Roermond, part of the McArthurGlen Group, is struggling to find enough staff. As the number of visitors is growing, so is the need for employees.

According to Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad (FD), the outlet center currently employs between 3,500 and 3,700 people, depending on the season. In addition to the current workforce, there are 371 vacancies.

In 2017, Designer Outlet Roermond recorded 7.5 million visitors. In the coming three years, Rudolf van Gempel, director at the center, expects that this number will rise to 10 million visitors per year. He told the newspaper: “In order to serve 10 million visitors well, we need to have 1,200 additional staff members. [The city of] Roermond [currently] has only 54,000 inhabitants. Our problem is not getting smaller.”

As a result of the staff shortage, queues are increasing at the center and available staff has a larger workload. At the moment, the outlet center is exploring new ways to attract employees, for example the option to build a crèche to attract working mothers or those at home who would like to get started again, writes FD.

The shortage in staff hasn't dampened plans for Designer Outlet Roermond to continue expanding. According to the newspaper, owner McArthurGlen will invest an additional €30 million in the Roermond-based shopping destination to improve the shopping experience within the next year and a half. Developments include the construction of a VIP lounge, affordable valet parking and additional events such as a Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

Designer Outlet Roermond opened its doors in 2001. Today, the outlet center operates more than 185 stores. In November 2017, Designer Outlet Roermond was named the most economically successful outlet center in Europe by the Outlet Center Performance Report Europe 2017. With the growing number of visitors, the center is among the biggest attractions in the Netherlands.