Gymboree md is latest casualty of UK scale down

Baby and toddlerwear retailer Gymboree is continuing its slim-down of UK operations, with the departure of managing director Craig Nomura and the closure of some stores.

Nomura was recruited from Gymboree's US parent last year to head an operational review of the British business, but left last month. He replaced managing director John Estill who previously ran Gymboree in the UK for more than four years.

By March this year, two shops had already been closed and a further four are understood to have shut since, leaving only 20 in Britain. Worldwide, the retailer has more than 550 shops. Nobody at Gymboree was available to comment as Retail Week went to press.