Wilkinson to cut staff hours in up to 80 stores
Wilkinson is to cut staff hours at up to 80 of its stores as it attempts to reduce costs in under-performing branches.
The high street discount chain has asked staff at around 80 of its 370 stores to take a voluntary cut in hours. The average reduction per store could be up to 80 hours a week although the number of stores affected might be reduced once figures are finalised.
A spokesman told The Grocer magazine: “In spite of the company’s exceptional value offering, determination to open new stores and further enhance the shopping experience through our innovative store in Crawley, some existing Wilkinson stores are not immune.
“Importantly, the business is trying to achieve flexible ways of resolving such performance issues by asking team members to help find flexible solutions that fit their own needs as well as those of the business.”
Earlier this month Wilkinson revealed that pre-tax profits had fallen from £60.8 million to £22.7 million in the year to 27 January, as the retailer ploughed £44 million back into the business with the opening of new stores and investment in its online operations.