
WHSmith is slashing over 100 manager roles across its travel store network as part of its restructuring plan focused on its growing travel business.
The business, which now brands itself as “the global travel retailer,” informed managers at around 40% of its UK 579 travel stores that they were at risk of redundancy at the end of November, Daily Mail reported.
A total of 102 managers have been made redundant, with other staff told they must reapply for newly created roles, which include overseeing multiple stores or taking on lower-paying positions with reduced responsibilities.
A spokesperson from WHSmith told the title: “Our UK Travel business is our largest division, and it has consistently delivered strong growth.
“To support the future growth of the business and the ongoing growth in passenger numbers, we have recently proposed a change to the structure of our in-store teams. This will result in fewer but larger in-store management roles, with over two hundred new jobs created for colleagues on the shop floor.
“These proposed changes will ensure we can deliver even better service to the increasing number of customers visiting our travel stores. This investment in more customer-facing roles and training and development plans for our people is the latest example of how we continue to deliver for our partners and customers in these markets.”
The decision is part of WHSmith’s strategy to focus on its lucrative travel division, which generated £126m in profit last year.
The retailer is currently in talks with potential buyers, including Doug Putman, owner of HMV, for its high street business, which includes 500 stores.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter