Primark proposes to cut 150 jobs as operating model ‘evolves’

Primark aims to cut 100 positions at its HQ – around 7% of staff based there – as well as others in the UK and US, The Sun reported.

Areas affected include procurement, finance and HR as some responsibilities are outsourced to Accenture in Mumbai.

A Primark spokesperson said: “As we continue to grow internationally, we need to evolve our operating model to best support this ambition.

“We’re exploring how resourcing via external partners could help support our operations so that we can focus our own resources on what we do best.”

“As part of this, we are now proposing that a number of support function activities move to a third party, and we are beginning a collective consultation.”

“This, unfortunately, will impact a number of Primark colleagues primarily in our head office operations.

“We understand how difficult this news is for those colleagues affected and we’ll be working to support them as best we can.”

Primark has been growing fast internationally, but has found trading conditions tougher in its core markets, such as the UK where a number of retailers have recently cut jobs or restructured to reflect a challenging environment and higher costs.

Fashion retailer River Island, for instance, is proposing to close some stores as is value retailer Poundland.