Chester County’s QVC lays off 400 workers in ‘realigning’
Under 2% of workforce
WEST CHESTER » QVC, Chester County’s third largest employer, will lay off 400 employees, the organization’s parent company announced Tuesday.
“After careful consideration, we have made the very difficult decision to eliminate a number of roles within our team, impacting our QVC US and HSN teams, and our corporate shared services teams in the U.S.,” Qurate Retail Group said in a statement. “Today will be the last day worked for most of these team members, although a small number will transition over time. Today’s impacts affect approximately 400 of our team members across these groups. These decisions are not easy but are necessary in realigning how we manage the business and heighten focus on critical priorities.”
Statistica.com shows that in 2022 QVC had about 22,000 employees. The layoffs would be less than 2% of the company’s workforce. The QVC announcement did identify where the laid-off employees are located beyond that they are in the United States.
QVC, founded in 1886 by Joseph Segel in West Chester, broadcasts to more than 350 million households in seven countries, including the U.K., Germany, Japan, and Italy, along with a joint venture in China. QVC merged with the Home Shopping Network in 2017.
“We are committed to supporting impacted team members through this transition with severance pay and outplacement services, including access to an alumni talent directory to support them on
their career journey, as well as extended access to our Employee Assistance Program,” the Qurate statement said. “Impacted team members will also receive continued benefits coverage at the team member rate through COBRA for an extended period.”
The news of the layoffs hit hard in the Chester County business community.
“The Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry represents a diverse and vibrant business community and developing our workforce and helping our businesses to succeed is at the heart of the organization,” said Laura Manion, president of the Chester County Chamber and Industry.
“On behalf of our 800 members, we stand with Commissioners Moskowitz, Maxwell and Kichline as well as the Chester County Economic Development Council, as a resource to workers, families, vendors and others potentially impacted by this unfortunate development.”
County commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline said in a statement: “We want to reassure those at QVC who lost their jobs that we, along with our partners, can offer support in many capacities
as they — and their families — face initial uncertainty, and then as they transition to different employment. We have some of the best workforce and economic development knowledge and resources in the state, and this, combined with the lowest unemployment rate in the region, makes us confident that we can help to find jobs for those who want to continue working here.”
Gary Smith, president and CEO of the Chester County Economic Development Council said: “We have worked with QVC from their days as a startup and helped to locate them in their current headquarters building. We were saddened to learn of the layoffs … and stand ready to provide resources, support and guidance to the individuals and families that will be impacted. We pledge to work alongside the county, the Chamber, and countless local partners to support our fellow Chester countians in the weeks and months ahead.”
QVC, which stands for quality value convenience, is a television network that operates around the clock. Its headquarters in West Goshen Township off Route 202 is home to the $100 million QVC Studio Park complex, located on 80 acres that opened in 1997.