2,800 jobs go as Pret sees sales slump 60 per cent
SANDWICH chain Pret a Manger has axed 2,800 jobs after sales plunged.
It says it is recovering slowly from lockdown but admits it has lost almost a decade of growth.
Sales are around £5million a week – the level of August 2010 and around 60 per cent down on last year.
Chief executive Pano Christou said yesterday: “I’m gutted that we’ve had to lose so many colleagues.
“Although we’re now starting to see a steady but slow recovery, the pandemic has taken away almost a decade of growth at Pret.
“We’ve managed to protect many jobs by making changes to the way we run our shops and the hours we ask team members to work.
“I’m hopeful we’ll be able to review all these changes now that trade is improving again and I’m encouraged by the improvements we’re seeing every week.”
Pret asked staff to work fewer hours earlier this month and it announced plans to permanently shut 30 of its branches.
Food for thought…Pret’s sales slow
The chain reopened 339 of them after lockdown but has continued to struggle as office workers remain at home. Mr Christou added: “We’ll soon be announcing a number of big changes to help bring Pret to more people.We’re grateful to the Government for the support they’ve given our sector and hope that support will continue as long as possible to give Pret time to adjust.”
Meanwhile, Screwfix has announced plans to open 30 new stores this year and create 300 jobs despite the impact of the pandemic.
Sales of tools and home improvement equipment boomed during lockdown as the retailer stayed open and served customers who took up DIY projects.
The openings will create jobs in areas such as retail management, service assistants and supervisor roles by the end of January.
Chief executive John Mewett said: “The growing demand for convenience means we’re opening more stores to help our busy customers get jobs done.We know time is money and these stores will not only enable us to provide added convenience and certainty but allow us to provide even more jobs.”