UNCERTAINTY currently surrounds the future of Malvern’s Marks and Spencer store after the retail giant announced it will close dozens of its clothing and home stores in the next five years.
The British retailer reported an 88 per cent fall in pre-tax profit in the six months to the end of September, blaming the decline on falling sales of food and clothing, and has announced closure plans in a bid to improve the business.
The Malvern store is located on the town’s retail park at Roman Way and sells clothing, homeware and food.
Bosses have not yet announced which stores will be effected but CEO Steve Rowe said: “These are tough decisions, but vital to building a future M&S that is simpler, more relevant, multi-channel and focused on delivering sustainable returns.”
However, Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has called on Marks and Spencer to immediately open up a dialogue with the union to ensure staff are properly represented through the reorganisation that will affect around 100 stores.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw deputy general secretary said: “Staff in all M&S stores will today be extremely concerned about what the future holds, as the company sets out a store reorganisation without saying where the axe will fall by detailing which stores are set to close.
“At this time of great uncertainty, staff need to be assured that an experienced and knowledgeable trade union is interrogating the company’s business case for this store reorganisation. Given the opportunity Usdaw would ensure that all avenues to save jobs are explored and staff are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.
“We are providing our members with the support and representation they require through this difficult time.”
Marks and Spencer has more than 300 full-range stores and almost 600 Simply Food stores in the UK and in addition to the closures, the company has also revealed plans to open 200 more Simply Food stores in the UK by 2019.
