2900 jobs slashed as Carphone Warehouse closes all 531 stores

17 March 2020, 07:44

Carphone Warehouse stores will close
Carphone Warehouse stores will close. Picture: PA
EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

Carphone Warehouse has announced it's closing all 531 of its standalone stores axing almost 3,000 jobs.

The retailer said it would close the shops, which make up around 8% of the group's selling space, from April 3.

There are also plans to sell mobile phones solely in its 305 combined Currys PC World stores and online across the UK.

The company expects to make 2,900 redundancies, but said almost 1,800 affected staff are set to take new roles elsewhere in the business.

The group's 70 Carphone Warehouse stores in Ireland will remain open and its international operations are unaffected.

Dixons Carphone said the move is "essential" to help turn around its UK mobile arm, which is set to make a £90 million loss this year.

Carphone Warehouse group chief executive Alex Baldock said: "There's never an easy time for an announcement like this, but the turbulent times ahead only underline the importance of acting now."

He added: "We're working hard to look after those colleagues we can't find new roles for, financially and otherwise.

"We'll pay enhanced redundancy, any bonuses, honour their share awards, and help them find new jobs through an outplacement programme."