Dixons Carphone is cutting 800 management jobs due to a new online sales focus

Dixons Carphone, the owner of Currys PC World, has announced plans to cut 800 jobs in order to create a “flatter management structure” in stores. The management overhaul comes as the technology retailer adapts to a growing demand in online sales, and months after the company announced its decision to close all of its 531 individual Carphone Warehouse shops in the UK. Back in April, Dixons Carphone said online sales had been covering roughly two thirds of the profit lost in store sales, which had decreased due to the coronavirus lockdown. Which job roles will be cut? The telecommunications retailer, which has roughly 24,000 UK staff, said the following jobs roles will be removed in stores: The group said while it is cutting these roles, it will now create new opportunities within its online personal shopping service. This service, called ShopLive, sees customers get shopping advice from sales staff from the comfort of their homes via video link. ‘Not an easy decision’ Dixons Carphone’s chief operating officer Mark Allsop said, “We remain committed to our stores as part of an omnichannel future, where we offer the best of online and stores to our customers. “This proposal will ensure in-store roles are focused on giving a seamless customer experience and exceptional service across all our customer channels, whether online or in-store. “Sadly, this proposal means we have now entered into consultation with some of our store colleagues. This was not an easy decision and we’ll do everything possible to look after those colleagues we can’t find new roles for, financially and otherwise.” Which other stores have faced recent job cuts? The coronavirus pandemic and lockdown have caused a recent spate of retail job cuts. On Monday 3 August, DW Sports announced that up to 1,700 jobs were facing possible redundancy. Additionally, John Lewis recently announced the launch of its ‘Better Jobs’ initiative, which aims to help the company create more “rewarding and enriching jobs” at the 120 suppliers it sources its products from. The move came after the department store chain permanently closed eight of its 51 stores due to the pandemic. Marks & Spencer, Selfridges and Boots are also some of the big names in retail to recently announce a jobs shake-up.