Marks & Spencer to cut around 7,000 jobs over next three months

Bosses have said that roles were set to go across shops, regional management and the company’s support centre over the coming weeks.

A “significant” number of roles are expected to be cut through voluntary departures and early retirement – with some jobs even set to be created through investing further into online warehousing and its new ambient food warehouse.

It comes less than a month after M&S announced that it would cut 950 jobs to move to a “a leaner, faster retail management structure”.

The retailer revealed that store sales have fallen by 47.9% in the eight weeks since shops reopened following the Covid-19 lockdown – but online sales have surged by 39.2%.

Chief executive Steve Rowe said: “Whilst it is too early to predict with precision where a new post-Covid sales mix will settle, we must act now to reflect this change.

“As part of our Never The Same Again programme to embed the positive changes in ways of working through the crisis, we are today announcing proposals to further streamline store operations and management structures.

“These proposals are an important step in becoming a leaner, faster business set up to serve changing customer needs and we are committed to supporting colleagues through this time.”

The move comes as other retailers such as WHSmith and Debenhams have all announced job losses in the last few weeks.

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