B&Q eyes plans to cut 650 jobs to ‘simplify’ structure

B&Q is reportedly considering plans to cut around 650 jobs in order to “simplify” its structure.

According to media reports first revealed by Retail Week, the DIY retailer is looking to reduce the number of trading manager, deputy manager and team leader roles.

B&Q said it is in consultation with staff affected and will provide alternative roles or support packages for those not provided with a new position.

A B&Q Spokesperson told Retail Sector: “Over the last few years, we’ve evolved at pace to ensure that we can give our customers the very best retail experience. We’ve physically changed our operations so that our stores, apps and online are fully integrated helping home improvers by giving them more choice, speed and convenience. And we need to keep changing.

“In this dynamic world of retail, we are very much in control of shaping our future. Today’s news would ensure that we continue to evolve and grow market share, by prioritising our resources where we can help our customers most. The proposals shared with colleagues today – to simplify our retail leadership structure and reallocate time to customer service roles on the shop floor, and to change some head office teams – have meant some difficult choices.”

They added: “They impact our dedicated colleagues in retail leadership across all of our stores and in Head Office functions, and we’ll be doing everything we can to support them.Ultimately it is about setting our business up in the right way so that our colleagues are equipped to give our customers consistently exceptional customer service now and in the future, so that we give home improvers the choice and convenience they deserve.”

Earlier this year, B&Q owner Kingfisher, which also operates the Screwfix brand, reported that total sales rose 2.2% to £3.3bn in the first quarter ended 30 April.

It comes as like-for-like sales grew 1.8% during the period, with the group noting a 2.7% boost in underlying growth, thanks to customers making more large and frequent purchases in seasonal categories in the UK. According to the group, this has had a “positive mix impact” on average selling price, while retail price inflation was flat.

In addition, e-commerce sales rose 9.3% during the period, with e-commerce sales penetration reaching 20%.

At the time, Thierry Garnier, chief executive of Kingfisher, said: “We have made a good start to the year with underlying sales growth of 3.1%, market share gains in all key regions and further progress in our strategic priorities.

“Our UK banners performed particularly well, driven by strong seasonal sales and growth in trade and e-commerce. We have successfully completed the conversion of eight former Homebase stores, all of which will be operating under the B&Q banner by the end of May. France delivered sequential improvement, outperforming challenging market conditions, while Poland, as expected, experienced short-term volatility due to geopolitical factors.”