Broadcasting Beyond the Desk: How Next Connects 10,000 Frontline Staff with Radio.co

To reach over 10,000 warehouse and delivery staff across the UK, retail giant Next launched an internal radio station that speaks directly to its frontline teams. Powered by Radio.co, 'Radio Next' became more than a communications tool; it became a part of the company culture. Live shows, music, and real-time updates have helped boost morale, build trust, and turn a dispersed workforce into an active, engaged community.
“In distribution, we have 10,000 people who 'pick and pack' parcels and drive on the roads - they don't work at a desk. They're a very hard group of people to reach. Radio is absolutely perfect.”
Use Case:
Internal radio station for logistics staff.
Challenge:
Reaching 10,000+ deskless employees across warehouses and on the road.
Our Role:
Powered a scalable, easy-to-manage internal station.
Outcome:
Stronger internal comms, improved morale, and higher engagement.

A voice for frontline teams

Next’s logistics operation is vast. Thousands of staff work in warehouses or on delivery routes. Standard corporate communications like emails and internal social media weren't reaching everyone. The mission was to create an additional, more personal communication tool that could inform, energise, and unite these crucial, desk less teams during their shifts.

Reaching the 'unreachable' workforce

The central challenge was clear: how to effectively communicate with 10,000 employees who are always on the move and rarely in front of a computer. Key business updates, from overtime opportunities to what’s on for lunch in the canteen, were being missed. They needed a medium that was immediate, accessible, and could cut through the noise of a busy logistics environment.

Next turned to internal radio as a more immediate and human way to connect with staff during their shifts. With help from Radio.co, they launched Radio Next, a bespoke station that could broadcast music, updates, and announcements across their entire network.

“Not every communication is right. Some people like to read, others listen. So radio is just one of those tools... to be reaching the majority of the people.”

From passive to active community

Radio Next quickly became more than a background stream. Staff could submit song requests, hear timely company news, and even take over the mic for DJ slots. The all-in-one solution allowed the Next team, comprised of staff volunteers and comms leads, to launch and manage a professional station without any prior radio expertise. The platform delivered on their key needs:

  • Boost morale during repetitive shifts.
  • Deliver updates that were actually heard.
  • Give staff a platform to feel seen and involved.
"It's super easy. From the scheduling to the music, everything is seamless. We want it to be as easy as possible, which is exactly why we chose Radio.co."

Verdict:
Internal radio builds workforce trust

Radio Next quickly became more than just background music; it became a vital part of the workday. Staff can now submit song requests that get played instantly, hear timely company news, and even take over the mic themselves. This has boosted morale, ensured critical updates are actually heard, and given frontline staff a platform to feel seen and involved, strengthening trust and building a true sense of community.

"Commercial stations is just a product that's at you. But because we can bring it internal, we can make [Radio Next] specifically for people."

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