Frasers Group is shutting its Manchester office, placing roughly 100 jobs at risk across Studio Retail and I Saw It First.
The Sports Direct owner is set to close its Trafford office, according to Drapers, with affected staff members reportedly being given the chance to move to Frasers’ other offices depending on their role functions.
In an email to workers, Frasers Group said: “Due to the challenging economic and trading climate, there is a need to continue to review resources and operations to ensure that all group companies are operating efficiently and cost effectively.
“It is against this backdrop that, following a recent business review, there is a proposal, which remains subject to both collective and individual consultation, to permanently close the Trafford office.”
The retail giant has two main offices based in Academy House, London, and Shirebrook, as well as various subsidiary sites.
Frasers snapped up the Trafford site, which used to house Missguided’s headquarters, in July 2022 for £6m, one month after it bought the fashion brand out of administration.
The group sold Missguided’s brand and intellectual property to fast fashion retailer Shein in October, however the deal did not include the Trafford office.
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Plans for the Manchester office currently remain unclear, Drapers reported.
The move comes after Frasers placed over 100 roles at risk across Missguided, Studio Retail and I Saw It First in the Trafford office in July after the acquisitions took place.
Last month, Frasers put luxury etailer Matches into administration less than three months after buying it.
The retail empire claimed the fashion business had “consistently missed its business plan targets and, notwithstanding support from the group, has continued to make material losses”.
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