N Brown to cut jobs as part of move to 'digital-first' approach

• Head office staff offered voluntary redundancy
• Employees will learn about redundancies by end of July
• N Brown is reshaping its business

The retailer, which has issued two profits warnings since October, said the decision was part of its move towards a “digital-first” approach.

All 3,000 head office staff were eligible to apply, apart from call centre and warehouse workers. However, it is understood that only a small percentage of N Brown’s workforce will be offered a redundancy package.

Retail Week has learned that staff who have applied for voluntary redundancy will learn their fate by the end of this month.

“It will be a relatively quick process,” a source said.

A spokeswoman for N Brown, which is the parent of JD Williams, said: “N Brown is reshaping its business to reflect the increasing focus we have on a digital-first approach and to ensure our business is structured to support our growth strategy. As part of this process, some of our staff have been offered voluntary redundancy.

“This isn’t a decision we have taken lightly and we are working closely to support those colleagues that have been affected.”

In April, N Brown reported a 21% drop in full-year profits off the back of flat sales. The group, which also has 15 stores, is in the process of shifting from a catalogue retailer to an online business.