Boots has made a dramatic change to its head office operations, resulting in the cull of some 300 jobs, around 10% of the beauty retailer’s workforce.
Citing ‘changed consumer behaviours’, the Walgreens Boots Alliance-owned retailer group is shaving down numbers from its headquarters in Nottingham, UK, to alleviate cash flow pressures during the pandemic.
The decision is partly due to Boots’ investment in its online business. However, in-store roles will not be affected.
“The events of the last year have changed consumer behaviours forever and we must adapt our business to meet these new needs,” said Boots’ UK CEO Sebastian James.
“This means investing in our digital business serving customers more efficiently and, above all, becoming more swifter and agile.”
He added: “I am acutely aware that this structural change will be difficult for our amazing team in Nottingham and we will do everything we can to make sure that we support and help anybody who is affected.”
The announcement follows the exit of Boots’ Commercial Director of Beauty Joanna Rogers, who has taken up a role within German fashion and beauty seller Zalando, and Tracey Clements, the retailer’s former Chief Operating Officer, who has jumped ship to BP.
In another shift of the group's top team, former Starbucks COO Rosalind Brewer will take over as Walgreens Boots Alliance's chief executive from mid-March.
She replaces Stefano Pessina who will transition to Chairman of the Walgreens Boots Alliance Board.