Advertisement

Debenhams to slash another 2,500 jobs

Debenhams store - DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP
Debenhams store - DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP

Debenhams is poised to cut another 2,500 jobs in the latest blow to the embattled British high street.

The ailing department store chain is culling roles across the business as it fights its way back from lockdown, with store and warehouse staff both in the firing line.

More than 25,000 cuts have been announced by major retailers since the crisis began, turbocharging a shift to online shopping.

Although Debenhams has reopened 124 stores and has been selling more clothes than expected since lockdown, the firm said its costs are still too high.

The move, first reported by Retail Week, comes just months after the retailer cut hundreds of jobs at its headquarters, where it employed about 3,000 staff.

Some Debenhams employees were informed of the cuts on Tuesday by a video conference call and given three days’ notice.

The business is not required to have a consultation with staff before it cuts jobs because it is in administration. It collapsed for the second time in a year in April, with lenders taking control of the company.

Debenhams has been struggling with the shift in consumer behaviour even before coronavirus, which piled on more pain due to the forced closure of all stores.

A spokesman said: “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.”

Retailers including Dixons Carphone, WH Smith and John Lewis have cut thousands of jobs and closed dozens of stores since the pandemic hit.