Mulberry to cut a quarter of its workforce
Luxury leathergoods brand Mulberry has begun a consultation process with its workforce about job cuts. The company said it aimed to reduce its employee numbers by approximately 25%.
In its most recent annual report, Mulberry said it had 1,470 employees, 548 in production, 662 in sales and distribution and 260 in administration.
These figures would suggest that the company will seek to cut more than 350 jobs. It said the job losses would be across its global business.
Chief executive, Thierry Andretta, said on making the announcement: “The shutting of all our physical stores has had, and will continue to have, a marked effect on our business.
Launching a consultation process has been an incredibly difficult decision for us to make but it is necessary for us to respond to these challenging market conditions, protect the maximum number of jobs possible and safeguard the future of the business. We remain confident in the strength of the Mulberry brand and our strategy over the long-term.”
All Mulberry stores in China and South Korea, as well as some in Europe and Canada, have been able to reopen, following the restrictions imposed by covid-19. It is planning a phased reopening of its stores in the UK on June 15. But it said it thinks there will be only a gradual recovery in its sales figures in the medium term.
