H&M is set to close its Edinburgh call centre by the end of the year, resulting in 150 jobs losses.
Workers at the fashion giant’s Waverley Gate office were informed back in August of a proposal to shut the building due to the lease expiring in 2025.
H&M blamed the closure on rising competition, a shift in customer behaviours and operational costs, The BBC reported.
Documents seen by BBC Scotland News showed that staff were given two weeks’ notice of their dismissal, although workers entitled to more notice will be paid in lieu.
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A spokeswoman for H&M told the outlet: “We constantly evaluate how we operate to ensure that we deliver on our goals and contribute to the overall success of the company.
“Having looked into the scope of our customer service set-up, increased competition in the market, our customers changing behaviours and expectations and operational costs, we have made the difficult decision to proceed with the proposed closure of our customer service site in Edinburgh by the end of the year.”
The fashion retailer held consultations with employees between September and November this year and said the number of job losses had been reduced by people being offered alternative roles, finding other employment or choosing to leave voluntarily.
The call centre will cease operating from 14 December before the site closes in March 2025.
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