Boots store closures: More than 4,000 jobs cut and 48 opticians branches to shut
BOOTS is set to axe more than 4,000 jobs and shut 48 of its opticians branches.
The retailer is the latest business to announce job cuts and store closures as the coronavirus crisis continues to cause havoc on the struggling UK high street.
Boots is the second high street name to announce cuts today after John Lewis revealed plans to close eight stores, putting 1,300 jobs at risk.
The retailer says its restructure will reduce the "significant impact" Covid-19 has had on its profits.
Its retail sales have tumbled by 48 per cent over the past three months, while its opticians business saw sales dive by 72 per cent compared to the same quarter last year.
The job cuts will affect around 7 per cent of the company's workforce, and will particularly hit workers in its Nottingham support office.
Businesses in turmoil in 2019 and 2020
BOOTS is the latest in a long list of businesses to be facing trouble. In 2019 and so far in 2020 we've seen:
- Go Outdoors enter into administration putting 2,400 jobs at risk
- Jamie Oliver's "Jamie's Italian"chain go bust, alongside his Fifteen and Barbecoa restaurants
- Links of London go into administration putting 350 jobs at risk
- Marks and Spencer close 35 more stores as it pushes forward with plans to axe 145 shops across the UK
- Dozens of Monsoon and Accessorize stores close
- Struggling shoe shop Office has said it "could close shops" as part of restructuring plans
- Fears Pizza Express could be next to go into administration as it "brings in emergency advisers"
- Hairdressing chain Supercutswent into administration in October 2019 - putting 1,200 jobs and 220 salons at risk
- Maternity and baby retailer Mothercare collapsed into administration in November 2019 after 58 years on the high street, putting 2,500 jobs at risk
- Department store chain Beales went into administration in January 2020 with 23 shops and 1,052 jobs at risk
- High end fashion brand Ted Baker said it plans to axe 160 jobs in February 2020
- Mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse said in March 2020 that it'll close all 531 standalone stores in April
- Vintage furnishing and fashion firm Cath Kidston said it was closing all 60 high street stores in March 2020
- Fashion store Animal said in April 2020 it was closing all 21 of its UK stores
- Department store chain Debenhams fell into administration for the second time in April 2020
- P&O Ferries said in May 2020 that it was looking at making 1,100 workers redundant
- TUI warned in May 2020 that 8,000 jobs could be cut due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis
- British Airways said in May 2020 that it still plans on pressing ahead with 12,000 job cuts
- Oasis and Warehouse went into administration in May 2020, with 1,800 staff placed on furlough
- Shoe chain Aldo collapsed into administration in June 2020 with five stores permanently closed
- Victoria's Secret plunged into administration in June 2020, putting 800 jobs at risk
- Fashion chain Quiz put its shop business into administration in June 2020, putting 82 stores at risk
- Pret a Manger is cutting 30 shops, putting 1,000 jobs at risk
- John Lewis is closing eight stores, with 1,300 jobs on the line
It will also affect some deputy and assistant manager, beauty adviser and customer adviser roles across its stores.
Boots has 606 opticians branches in the UK, of which around 165 operate on a franchise basis.
Some are standalone opticians, while others are located inside larger Boots stores or supermarkets.
Not all Boots opticians remained open during lockdown, with the majority only taking emergency appointments.
Its health and beauty stores were allowed to keep their doors open as they were deemed "essential" by the government, largely due to the fact that they sell medicines.
However, its beauty halls and perfume counters were ordered to shut - these reopened on July 4.
The Sun has asked Boots for a list of opticians that will close and we'll update this story when we know more.
In its statement released today, Boots said the cuts are an "acceleration" of its transformation plans to improve profitably.
This week has also seen Pret a Manger announce it will close 30 shops.
Cath Kidston and Laura Ashley have already collapsed in recent weeks due to coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Debenhams has also been forced to call in administrators for the second time in 12 months.
We've got a full round-up of all the shops and restaurants that have gone bust here.
It comes as the Centre for Retail Research predicts that 20,000 shops could close for good this year.
Sebastian James, managing director of Boots UK, said: "I am so very grateful to all our colleagues for their dedication during the last few challenging months.
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"They have stepped forward to support their communities, our customers and the NHS during this time, and I am extremely proud to be serving alongside them."
"We recognise that today's proposals will be very difficult for the remarkable people who make up the heart of our business, and we will do everything in our power to provide the fullest support during this time."