Thomas Cook announces further store closures
A further 183 jobs at Thomas Cook are at risk following the retailer’s decision to close another 27 shops.
Thomas Cook has also decided to scrap 45 cluster manager positions and 165 assistant manager roles, but it is to create 360 new store manager jobs.
The retailer said the shops earmarked for closure were mainly Co-op stores that are either in close proximity to other stores in a town, or located where there is a decline in footfall.
It is planning to remove the Co-op brand from the high street by November. As part of this process, 113 Co-operative Travel stores have already been rebranded as Thomas Cook, and are seeing increased sales, it said.
Thomas Cook has decided to re-introduce dedicated store managers following a trial in which managers were placed in shops in six regions led to an improved performance.
It said the move to dedicated store managers ‘reflects the change in its retail landscape as there is now a reduced number of stores since cluster managers were first introduced in 2013’.
"It is reflective of Thomas Cook’s omni-channel approach to meet the changing needs of its customers both instore and online," it said.
While this proposal would see 210 roles put under consultation, it would provide opportunities for cluster managers to apply for dedicated store manager roles, and enable assistant managers and customers service managers who want to develop their careers to also apply for dedicated store manager positions, added Thomas Cook.
Should both proposals go ahead Thomas Cook will have a network of 601 stores across the UK & Ireland by the end of May 2018.
Thomas Cook’s UK director of retail and customer experience Kathryn Darbandi said: "Our management team plays a critical role in the success of our stores across the UK and Northern Ireland. By proposing these new roles we would be creating exciting opportunities for both existing and aspiring managers. We are confident that we would retain the expertise of as many of our colleagues as possible."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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