Pret A Manger to close 30 stores
Sandwich chain Pret A Manger is to close around 30 shops as part of a Covid-19 crisis restructuring exercise.
While the shop closures will result in the loss of 330 jobs, the plans could ultimately lead to at least 1,000 job cuts as the retailer looks to reduce staff numbers at other stores across the UK. Support teams will also be restructured.
Pret said sales are down 74% year-on-year due to the impact of lower footfall, rental costs and new coronavirus safety measures.
The retailer has reopened 339 of its 410 shops since the easing of lockdown restrictions.
Pret chief executive Pano Christou said: “It’s a sad day for the whole Pret family and I’m devastated that we will be losing so many employees. But we must make these changes to adapt to the new retail environment.
“Our goal is now to bring Pret to more people, through different channels and in new ways, enabling us to grow once more in the medium term.”
