DIY retailer to shed 400 staff as it restructures
B&Q has confirmed it will cut 400 jobs at its head office at a cost of£12 million, as it kicks off its restructuring strategy.

The job cuts reflect a downturn in the domestic market, in sharp contrast to B&Q's expanding presence in emerging powerhouses Russia and China.

B&Q chief executive Ian Cheshire, who joined from parent Kingfisher in June this year, said: 'B&Q is one of the country's best-known brands and is nearly twice the size of its nearest competitor. However, we are in a tough retail environment and we need to play to our strengths to improve customer service and grow sales. As part of this we need to streamline the business to focus on supporting stores and serving customers. The restructuring is about making our plan for the future work, as well as being driven by the need to cut costs.'

Kingfisher - the world's third largest DIY retailer - will announce its interim results for the six months to July 30 on September 15. It will include further details of management plans to reshape B&Q in the UK.

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