Upmarket UK department store chain Selfridges recently announced cutting 450 members of its staff as the coronavirus outbreak has led to ‘the toughest year’ it has experienced in its recent history. In a letter to its employees, boss Selfridges group managing director Anne Pitcher said it was ‘the toughest decision we have ever had to take’.
The retailer has four stores, one each in London and Birmingham, and two in Manchester. However, the company has not yet made it clear where the job cuts will be.Upmarket UK department store chain Selfridges recently announced cutting 450 members of its staff as the coronavirus outbreak has led to 'the toughest year' it has experienced in its recent history. In a letter to its employees, boss Selfridges group managing director Anne Pitcher said it was 'the toughest decision we have ever had to take'.#
The company closed its stores in March when the government-mandated lockdown began, before reopening in June. Its restaurants and hair salons began welcoming customers again at the start of this month.
In her message to staff, Pitcher said: "The COVID-19 pandemic has forced change and caused us to rethink so many aspects of our lives and, will continue to do so as we adapt and respond to a new and evolving reality."
She cautioned that the company needs to make ‘fundamental changes’ and had been examining every aspect of its business ‘to ensure we are fit for purpose and the future’.
There will be a period of collective consultation to discuss the proposals with elected team member representatives and trade union representatives, she said.
The store chain was founded by American Harry Gordon Selfridge in 1908 with the flagship Oxford Street store in London opening in 1909. Other Selfridges stores opened in Manchester's Trafford Centre in 1998, Exchange Square in 2002, and in Birmingham's Bullring in 2003.
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