ADVERTISEMENT

Two of the UK's best-known high-street retail brands, John Lewis and Boots, slash more than 5,000 jobs combined

Two of Britain's best-known high-street retailers, John Lewis and Boots, announced more than 5,000 job cuts on Thursday.

GettyImages 1235998398
  • John Lewis said it would cut 1,300 jobs, while Boots plans to axe 4,000 jobs. Both retailers are closing down stores and struggling with consumer footfall amid the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Other British retailers have recently warned of job cuts running into the thousands, including luxury department store Harrods, sandwich chain Pret A Manger, and fast-food outlet Burger King.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .
ADVERTISEMENT

Britain's high-end department store John Lewis and beauty retailer Boots have announced plans to slash a combined 5,300 jobs as part of their store closure plans.

John Lewis said on Thursday that it would permanently shut eight of its flagship stores, putting 1,300 jobs at risk.

Boots said it would axe 4,000 jobs and close 48 optician stores.

ADVERTISEMENT

The eight shuttered John Lewis stores were struggling financially even before the pandemic, it said. Among them are its travel hub shops at Heathrow Airport and St Pancras International railway station.

Before the COVID-19 lockdown, 40% of the retailer's sales were online. Now, John Lewis expects online sales to make up "closer to 60 to 70 percent of total sales" this year and next, it said.

"Redundancies are always an absolute last resort and we will do everything we can to keep as many partners as possible within our business," Sharon White, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said in a statement.

The job cuts at Boots represent 7% of the health and beauty chain's workforce.

ADVERTISEMENT

Walgreens Boots Alliance, its parent firm, said the pandemic had cost between $700 million to $750 million in sales, and that footfall had dropped 85%.

"Shopping patterns are evolving more rapidly than ever as consumers further embrace digital options, spurring us to accelerate our ongoing investments in digital transformation and neighborhood health destinations," CEO Stefano Pessina said in a statement.

Other British retailers that recently warned of job cuts running into the thousands include luxury department store Harrods , sandwich chain Pret A Manger , and fast-food outlet Burger King.

See Also:

ADVERTISEMENT

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

10 most dangerous African countries in 2024

10 most dangerous African countries in 2024

Russia’s nuclear influence expands further north of Africa

Russia’s nuclear influence expands further north of Africa

ADVERTISEMENT