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PRIVACY
Retail & Consumer

John Lewis Partnership announces plans to cut 1,500 head office jobs

The firm, which runs both John Lewis stores and Waitrose supermarkets, is looking to reduce costs across the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ-wide business

The John Lewis and Partners store in Oxford street(Image: PA)

John Lewis has announced plans to cut up to 1,500 jobs at its head office under proposals to reduce costs across the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ-wide business.

According to PA, the retail giant, which runs both John Lewis stores and Waitrose supermarkets, has said it will cut the roles by April next year.

The announcement comes months after it revealed plans to shut eight John Lewis stores with the loss of 1,300 jobs and the closure of four Waitrose stores in a move which hit 124 jobs.

John Lewis Partnership (JLP) said that the move will help it to save another £50m as it seeks to secure £300m in annual savings by 2022.

In September, the group also told staff they would not receive a bonus for the first time since 1953 after it dived to a £635m pre-tax loss for the six months to July, following a £470m writedown on its stores.

The partnership said that the latest cuts are part of an efficiency plan designed to "create an agile and flexible head office" which is closer to customers and frontline staff.

JLP said it will now be consulting with affected partners about the cuts and will seek to find new roles elsewhere in the company where possible.

Sharon White, chairman of the JLP, said: "Our partnership plan sets a course to create a thriving and sustainable business for the future.