Bonmarché to cut 140 store jobs in cost-cutting drive

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jun 28, 2018

The embattled UK retail sector was dealt another blow this week as reports emerged about Bonmarché axing 140 store jobs following declining high street sales.

The clothing company has entered into a consultation process with its employees and is looking to make more than 100 store assistants redundant. This is despite a 38% rise in pre-tax profits in the year to end of March.

But online is generating more sales growth than stores, and now accounts for almost 10% of Bonmarché’s total sales. Whilst the UK company blamed external market factors for a decline in sales in bricks-and-mortar stores, it said the results demonstrated its strategy to keep pushing for significant growth in the e-commerce channel is paying off.

This online push is partly responsible for the planned job cuts. And to offset staff shortages, Bonmarché is introducing a mobility clause into its store staff contracts. The move has been criticised by staff as it would mean they would be required to commute up to 25 miles to another store if the need arises.