Without reducing the sales staff (4)
I believe the answer is:
less
'without' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'reducing the sales staff' is the wordplay.
'LESS' is hidden within the letters.
However, I'm uncertain how this is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for less that I've seen before include "inferior" , "Wanting" , "Fewer in number" , "more, as they say" , "Smaller in amout or degree" .)