UK department store Debenhams cuts 2,500 jobs
[LONDON] UK department store chain Debenhams has axed 2,500 jobs, a spokesman said Tuesday, as the coronavirus pandemic piles further pressure onto the long-suffering group.
"Such difficult decisions are being taken by many retailers right now, and we will continue to take all necessary steps to give Debenhams every chance of a viable future," said a company statement.
"At the same time, the trading environment is clearly a long way from returning to normal and we have to ensure our store costs are aligned with realistic expectations," it added, with the spokesman confirming there had been "2,500 jobs cut".
Debenhams was saved from collapse in April after securing a deal with creditors but it had been struggling to survive long before the virus pandemic owing to a surge in online shopping.
The jobs announcement came after official data Tuesday showed that the number of workers on UK company payrolls slumped by a further 114,000 in July from June.
A total 730,000 positions have been shed since March, when Britain went into lockdown over Covid-19, the Office for National Statistics revealed.
GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
UK companies from major retailers to airlines are axing thousands of jobs despite government efforts to safeguard employment during the pandemic by subsidising wages.
AFP
KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Consumer & Healthcare
Sheng Siong Q1 net profit up 9.3% on higher revenue
Nestle sales growth sputters on US slump, vitamin snags
Hermes Q1 sales jump 17% on strong China demand
Cordlife’s independent auditor to retire after issuing disclaimer of opinion on FY2023 financials
Cutting the cord?: Events leading up to Cordlife’s MOH suspension and arrests of its directors, ex-group CEO
Cordlife customers push for legal action