Debenhams has announced it will slash 2,500 jobs across its stores and warehouses, as it seeks to cut costs after sales were impacted by the Covid-19 lockdown.
The department store business is scrapping the roles of sales manager, visual merchandise manager and selling support manager as part of a management restructuring process.
The move comes four months after Debenhams collapsed into administration and soon after it emerged the struggling chain could also be sold off.
It is understood to have appointed investment bank Lazard, with a sale being one of three possibilities it is investigating.
Debenhams has called in administrators for a second time in a year, enlisting FRP Advisory to work with management under a “light touch” administration, meaning directors are still in control of the business rather than administrators.
The chain has already shut 18 stores with the loss of more than 1,000 jobs in shops and at the headquarters in London, including the Gateshead Metrocentre store where it was unable to agree rent with landlords Intu, leading to the loss of 100 jobs.
Debenhams said it has no plans to shut more stores as part of the restructure.
A spokesman said: "We have successfully reopened 124 stores, post-lockdown, and these are currently trading ahead of management expectations.
"At the same time, the trading environment is clearly a long way from returning to normal and we have to ensure our store costs are aligned with realistic expectations.
"Those colleagues affected by redundancy have been informed and we are very grateful to them for their service and commitment to Debenhams.
"Such difficult decisions are being taken by many retailers right now, and we will continue to take all necessary steps to give Debenhams every chance of a viable future."
