2250 jobs to go at Boots
Boots plans to invest in a modern supply chain to meet the changing nature of its retail business. It has started consultation with its employees on a proposal to introduce an automated facility which would significantly reconfigure its supply chain.
The reconfigured supply chain will further reduce stock holding, improve productivity and lower property costs. When completed the reconfiguration will result in job losses, estimated to be around 2,250. The project is expected to take three years to complete and payback is expected within three years of completion. The three year period of implementation means that there is a good opportunity to minimise redundancies through natural wastage. Boots has said it will work with its employees to mitigate the impact of the modernisation programme. Where possible Boots will seek to re-deploy, relocate and re-skill to reduce the number of redundancies.
Setting out the investment plans, Boots Chief Executive, Richard Baker said “‘Our proposed supply chain investment is based on proven technology delivering greater productivity and lower operating costs. This will allow us to compete even more effectively while delivering a better service to our stores.’
