The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Retail Retail Trade, Except Of Motor Vehicles And Motorcycles Retail Sale In Non-Specialised Stores 47.1 - Retail sale in non-specialised stores
3,200 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
18 April 2005
Employment effect (start)
Foreseen end date
31 October 2005
Description
The UK retail group Littlewoods has announced the loss of 3,200 jobs as part of plans to shut the majority of its Index catalogue-based shops. The closure of the 126 stores and the selling of the remaining 33 shops means the saving of 800 jobs. The retail giant GUS who is buying the stores intends to convert them into Argos stores. Littlewoods said the Index stores had accumulated losses of more than £100 million over two decades of operation.
After discussions with the management the trade union Usdaw National Officer John Gorle said; 'The good news is that the company have given a real commitment to redeploy as many Index staff as possible within the Littlewoods empire from home shopping to their high street stores.'
'The other positive development is that Argos has agreed to give Littlewoods details of their job vacancies across the UK so Index staff at stores where there is no buyer can consider real opportunities in the biggest catalogue shopping chain.We've also been approached by other major retailers looking to make contact with the highly trained Index staff to offer them employment which is another option for our members', said Usdaw National Officer John Gorle.
Sources
21 April 2005: USDAW Website
19 April 2005: BBC News
18 April 2005: The Guardian
Citation
Eurofound (2005), Index, Closure in United Kingdom, factsheet number 61425, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/61425.
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