Day 204 - 15 Jan 96 - Page 32


     
     1        A.  Yes.  What we have actually got there is the crew
     2        numbers as of the 1/4 in the middle column.  That is what
     3        -- they are probably standing out at that time.  In the
     4        righthand column is a target to hit 1st July, which is just
     5        before the summer months which, again, is a busy period.
     6        So just because they are not at that target on the 1/4, it
     7        does not necessarily mean that they are drastically short.
     8        That is a target to aim for for the summer, so that is
     9        something to go for, rather than demonstrating any lack of
    10        crew at the time.  I think it is.
    11
    12   Q.   So, a lack of crew numbers there, you are saying, could not
    13        be held as a criticism of Ray Coton?
    14        A.  It says:  "Clearly, the turnover at 141 is your major
    15        priority" in the next line.  "Investigation and action are
    16        needed immediately".  So, from that point of view, it could
    17        be held as a criticism of Ray Coton, yes.
    18
    19   Q.   It says here, the next sentence is:  "Crew numbers in all
    20        your stores need improvement quickly for the summer".
    21        A.  They need increasing for the summer, yes.
    22
    23   Q.   The crew is the total people that are on the books, are
    24        they not?
    25        A.  Hourly paid.
    26
    27   Q.   Crew targets, yes, or crew numbers, total people who are on
    28        the books?
    29        A.  It may have been, it may not have been; it depends on
    30        the person doing it.  Some people take it as just the crew
    31        as in -----
    32
    33   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  When we look at those figures there, which is
    34        when you are Area Supervisor -- the ones on page 9 I am
    35        talking about -- can you help me as to whether the figures
    36        there were for hourly paid or everyone?
    37        A.  It would have -- it would definitely have been only
    38        hourly paid people.  It would not include salaried members,
    39        but it may not have included Floor Managers or Admin
    40        Assistants, and that type of thing.  Some people use it as
    41        just pure crew as in none of the ancillary staff, and
    42        others use it as just hourly, but it certainly would not
    43        have included any salaried people.
    44
    45   MS. STEEL:   I have got a feeling we may have had this before,
    46        but I cannot remember what top line sales are.
    47
    48   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Ask, at any rate.
    49
    50   MS. STEEL:  Can you explain what top line sales are? 
    51        A.  It is your net sales for a month or a given period. 
    52 
    53   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  What, the total amount of money which is
    54        brought in from sales?
    55        A.  Yes, but with the VAT or tax taken off.
    56
    57   MS. STEEL:   Just about paragraph (6) of your statement, you
    58        say:  "Controllable costs are expressed" -- this is the
    59        last part of the paragraph -- "as a percentage of top line
    60        sales, so it is not surprising that Ray Coton was not

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