WH Smith announces 1500 possible job cuts
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WH Smith has announced it is considering cutting 1500 jobs following a sharp fall in sales during the coronavirus lockdown.
The move, which could affect 11 per cent of its workforce, follows a trading update which predicted it was expecting to make losses of up to £75 million.
The Aviemore store by the railway station was axed several years ago but the firm still has branches in Inverness railway station and airport as well as on the city's High Street.
Carl Cowling, group chief executive, said the company would do everything it could to support staff during what he described as a "challenging time".
He added: "While there has been some progress in our high street business, it does continue to be adversely affected by low levels of footfall.
"As a result, we now need to take further action to reduce costs across our businesses. I regret that this will have an impact on a significant number of colleagues whose roles will be affected by these necessary actions."
The company, which has 612 shops and employs more than 14,000 staff, saw revenue at airports and rail stations fall by 92 per cent during the first month of lockdown and the high street outlets were 25 per cent down, when compared with last year, in July after restrictions were eased.
It is the latest high street name to consider such action.
William Hill has said 119 of its High Street betting shops would not reopen after the lockdown.
