Arcadia: Job cuts likely as 300 head office roles go into consultation

A redundancy consultation will affect 300 roles, including some that are currently vacant and will now not be filled.

Retail Week understands that the roles affected are across both central operations and individual brands will be impacted by the move.

Arcadia owns Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Outfit, Miss Selfridge and Wallis, as well as ‘jewel-in-the-crown’ Topshop/Topman.

A spokesman said: “In order to prepare for the future we have completed a thorough external business review over the last several months.

“As a result we are proposing, subject to consultation, to make a number of changes to roles across the group.

“These changes, which represent less than 2% of total headcount, will streamline business support services, reduce duplication and increase efficiency.

“We regret that we have to make these changes and we fully appreciate that this will be a difficult time for the colleagues directly affected. We remain firmly committed to supporting them through the process.”

Arcadia has been through a tough time of late with erratic trading, negative publicity surrounding the collapse of BHS, which was formerly owned by Arcadia boss Sir Philip Green, and turbulent conditions for high street fashion all affecting the business.

The group reported falling profits and sales in the year to August 2016 amid roaring results from agile competitors such as Asos, Boohoo and Missguided.

Arcadia also suffered from a spate of senior departures earlier this year.

Long-time Topshop managing director Mary Homer became one of the most high-profile exits when she quit to join The White Company in March. Burton boss Wesley Taylor, Evans managing director Fiona Ross and Miss Selfridge creative director Yasmin Yusuf have also left the group.

Homer was replaced by Paul Price, who arrived at Arcadia as chief executive of both Topshop and Topman on September 4.

He was formerly Burberry’s chief merchandising officer and also held senior roles at both Banana Republic and Bloomingdales.