Sandwich chain to tailor: Companies adapt again as workers return to office

Retailers like sandwich chain Pret a Manger Ltd can serve as a model for how to accommodate remote workers.

What if we can’t work from home forever?

Over the last year, countless decisions have been made on the assumption that remote  working will be dominant even after Covid. People moved out of city centers, bought houses with office space, adopted pets, stocked up on Pelotons and replaced fridges. Companies meanwhile adapted their strategies to cater to these home workers — closing stores, ramping up their websites and offering more items like loungewear.

But as employers call people back to offices, the idea of a wholesale shift to working from home is starting to wane. Companies are