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13th Aug 2020

Brown Thomas and Arnotts to cut 150 jobs due to impact of Covid-19

Alan Loughnane

brown Thomas

The company called 2020 the most difficult year in recent times.

The owners of retailers Brown Thomas and Arnotts are set to cut 150 jobs due to significant sales losses and uncertainty from the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the company said it would begin consultations with staff and would be seeking voluntary redundancies initially.

It also said it would consider other “flexible” options for staff including career breaks, early retirements and shorter working hours.

Selfridges Group, which controls both Brown Thomas and Arnotts, said it would be looking to finish the process by the middle of October.

Managing director of Brown Thomas Arnotts Donald McDonald said that the ongoing uncertainty and impact of Covid-19 on the retail industry had made 2020 the most difficult year in recent times.

“The retail industry is being severely impacted by unprecedented circumstances related to Covid-19 and Brown Thomas Arnotts is no exception,” he said.

Like many others, we are feeling the effects with sales expected to be significantly down, making 2020 the toughest year we have experienced in recent times.

“And as we face continued uncertainty, with retail unlikely to return to normal for the foreseeable future, it is clear that we need to take a series of steps to ensure our cost base is sustainable, consistent with the level of business we realistically expect, and to ensure our resources are aligned with the current and anticipated requirements of the business,” McDonald added.

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