The Pier managing director John Higgins has stepped down from the homewares retailer following a shake up by its Icelandic parent Lagerinn.

A Pier spokeswoman said Higgins had stepped down “by mutual agreement” after Lagerinn undertook a review of the economic conditions affecting the UK retail sector. A search is under way for a replacement.

The Pier will continue with its store opening programme and seven openings are planned for this year. It opened a new-look store at Victoria Square in Belfast in March, which will now be rolled out to all new shops.

The format is an amalgamation of designs tested at its Derby and Meadowhall stores and is designed to reflect the brand’s heritage of global travel and discovery. Fixtures and floorings are lighter and different materials have been used to make the look fresh.

The Pier will also open a concession at Homebase in Cheltenham next week, which will follow the new design.

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