// Dixons Carphone to cut 800 jobs as part of an overhaul of its store management structure
// Changes would it see remove retail manager, assistant manager and team leader roles
// It will also introduce sales manager, customer experience manager and operational excellence manager positions
Dixons Carphone has announced plans to cut 800 jobs as part of an overhaul of its store management structure.
The parent company of tech retailers Currys PC World said the shake-up would see it create a “flatter management structure” as it adapts to increasing online sales.
Dixons Carphone said the changes would it see remove retail manager, assistant manager and team leader roles, while introducing new sales manager, customer experience manager and operational excellence manager positions in stores.
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The company added that it would also create opportunities for staff to join its ShopLive personal shopping service, where customers are advised by sales staff from home via video-link.
Dixons Carphone has already started to consult with affected staff.
“We remain committed to our stores as part of an omnichannel future, where we offer the best of online and stores to our customers,” Dixons Carphone chief operating officer Mark Allsop said.
“This proposal will ensure in-store roles are focused on giving a seamless customer experience and exceptional service across all our customer channels, whether online or in-store.
“Sadly, this proposal means we have now entered into consultation with some of our store colleagues.
“This was not an easy decision and we’ll do everything possible to look after those colleagues we can’t find new roles for, financially and otherwise.”
The news comes almost four months after Dixons Carphone permanently shut down all 531 of its standalone Carphone Warehouse stores, which resulted in 2900 job redundancies.
Earlier this month, Dixons Carphone reported underlying pre-tax profits of £166 million for its financial year ending May 2, a 51 per cent year-on-year drop from £339 million the previous year.
On a statutory basis, the electricals retail group saw group pre-tax losses of £140 million, but this was narrowed from losses of £259 million the year before.
In its core UK and Ireland markets, Dixons Carphone booked a one per cent uptick in full year like-for-like sales and total revenue, but adjusted EBIT declined 10 per cent to £162 million.
Electricals sales held up well amid the lockdown thanks to surging online sales jumping 22 per cent across the year, boosted by a 166 per cent surge in April during the first full month of lockdown in the UK.
Dixons Carphone said online sales have continued to grow since the year end.
with PA Wires
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