Arnotts and Brown Thomas plan to cut 150 jobs due to difficult trading conditions arising from Covid-19.
The owner of the department stores informed staff this afternoon.
Managing Director of Brown Thomas Arnotts, Donald McDonald, says 2020 is the toughest year they have experienced.
Over 1,000 people are employed across the two outlets.
The company will begin an eight week consultation process with staff and will offer voluntary redundancies, as well as considering career breaks, shorter working hours, and early retirement.
Donald McDonald, Managing Director of Brown Thomas Arnotts, said: “Over the past few weeks we have given careful consideration to a recovery plan, examining every aspect of our business, from costs, to ways of working, organisational structure and we have also looked at ways of strengthening those parts of our business that have become even more critical during this time, such as digital.
“Very sadly, this does mean making changes to our organisation that directly affect our people and, as a family business, these are the hardest decisions for us. This is why it is so difficult to share news today of the toughest decision I have had to take in my time as Managing Director, which is that as part of our overall cost reduction requirements we will need to make a reduction in the number of people employed in the business by 150 people.
“We will now commence a consultative process with the relevant people, which will outline a number of flexible options for those impacted, along with voluntary redundancy. These options will include where appropriate, adjusting working hours to support a work and home life balance; taking a career break; early retirement, or short working week options. We anticipate the process to go on for 8 weeks and finish by mid-October.
“At this time, we want to acknowledge our teams for their understanding and professionalism at such a difficult time.”
