Littlewoods will begin consultation with unions later this month about job cuts at its Liverpool headquarters that may affect as many as 300 staff.
Following preliminary meetings with shopworkers' union Usdaw, a Littlewoods spokeswoman said 'in excess of 100 jobs' will be lost. She said the cuts will be the result of the separation of the high street and mail order businesses. Some roles may go as 'an affordable cost base' is created.
However, mail order industry sources said that staff at Littlewoods' 1,800-strong head office are bracing themselves for up to 300 job losses.
The new owners, the Barclay brothers, bought Littlewoods in November, saying at the time no job losses were expected.
It is anticipated that cuts may hit head office employees of the high street division most severely. High street staff have been told they will be heading for a new office 'in the Merseyside area' following separation.
On January 21, the Littlewoods Partnership Board will meet to discuss the proposals. The board includes Littlewoods directors, the Usdaw representative with responsibility for Littlewoods, Val Pugh, and approximately 10 other unions representing head office, high street and transport workers.
Pugh said: 'We would be disappointed if it was many more than 100. I can't see what the justification would be.'
However, the Littlewoods spokeswoman refused to rule out higher figures.
She said: 'Until we have finished consulting with the unions, we will not be able to say how many jobs will be lost.'
Full details are unlikely to be announced until next month.
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