Karen Millen puts 100 head office roles into consultation

Karen Millen said it was restructuring roles and responsibilities after it bought Coast out of administration earlier this month.

The business employs about 2,300 people in total across its head office, stores and concessions. It is not known what percentage of those are employed at head office.

Coast went into administration two weeks ago, following “difficult trading conditions”. All 24 stores are to be shuttered, with 300 jobs at risk.

The two businesses were ultimately owned by the same parent company, Icelandic bank Kaupthing, and the deal raised eyebrows at the time.

Coast’s collapse was the latest casualty on the high street, where mid-market, bricks-and-mortar fashion retailers are finding trading particularly tough owing to weak demand and the continuing switch to online shopping.

A spokeswoman said: “As is the case following any acquisition, it has been necessary for Karen Millen to undertake a careful review in order to rationalise and, in some cases, restructure roles and responsibilities, to ensure the business is positioned well for future growth.

“A full consultation process is under way and our priority is to work closely with and support staff throughout this.”