1,500 face losing jobs at Wilkinson

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The discount chain, which is based in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, said it was doing everything it could - including freezing external recruitment - to ensure any redundancies were kept to a minimum.

A company spokesman also stressed that the possible cuts were not connected to the current squeeze on the high street and that Wilkinson's sales levels were "bearing up very, very well" as consumers opt for value goods.

Staff at the retailer's 312 stores and their trade union have been briefed about the proposed changes to the way stock is replenished, which are being trialled at 33 shops in the Midlands and Yorkshire.

The Wilkinson spokesman said: "This process has nothing to do with the current trading conditions on the high street but has been in development for some considerable time.

"We care passionately about our team members and the decision to commence early discussions reflects our determination to minimise any effect through redeployment of our existing and loyal team members wherever possible, if [the new stock-handling system] is adopted.

"The company has commenced early and open discussions with its recognised union, the GMB, so that affected team members will benefit well in advance from priority consideration for alternative posts as they become available.

"This process is designed to eliminate wherever possible the need for redundancies."

Wilkinson, which employs around 25,000 people, said the planned changes - part of a long-term strategy to make efficiency improvements - would reduce the number of times stock needs to be handled in store, as well as reducing the volume of items branches hold.