The Perfume Shop has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of two new female directors.

Karen Harris, the retailer’s head of marketing has been promoted customer director, and will be responsible for all areas of customer, loyalty, marketing and PR.

Meanwhile, head of digital Laura Wilkinson, will takeover as its new online business director.

Both will sit on the perfume retailer’s leadership team and support its commitment to develop opportunities and create “a great place to work for everyone”.

The appointments come as the business publishes its 2023 gender pay gap report, covering 1,639 staff members, which found that in stores the median gender pay gap was 0.95%, which it said reflected its equal pay policy.

Within its head office, the mean gender pay gap was -3.97%.

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The Perfume Shop managing director Gill Smith said: “We’re also pleased to see this year’s improvements in our gender pay gap results. With more initiatives planned to continue to build on these results, we’re confident that our values, opportunities and benefits make The Perfume Shop a really special place to work for everyone.

“In 2023 we achieved three important external awards that demonstrates our commitment to people practices and to our employees, and we will continue to focus on growing and supporting our own talent in 2024.”

Earlier this month, the retailer saw strong sales in the run up to Mother’s Day, as consumers snapped up classic fragrances and gift sets to celebrate.

Sales volume at the retailer shot up 16% on last year’s performance, with 140,000 bottles sold from 3 to 10 March.

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