More than 500 Carphone Warehouse shops will close on 3 April, putting an estimated 2,900 jobs at risk, the retailer has announced.
Dixons Carphone said all 531 standalone shops will close in a shake-up of their UK mobile business, with the company planning to focus on its stores inside Currys PC World and its online sales.
The business expects almost 40 per cent (1,800) of affected colleagues to take new roles internally.
The firm says the move is not related to the coronavirus outbreak, but was because of the changing mobile market.
The mobile phone retailer has shops inside 305 big PC World and Curry’s stores and these will not be affected by the changes.
“There is never an easy time for an announcement like this, but the turbulent times ahead only underline the importance of acting now, to ensure a business fit for the future,” the company said.
Alex Baldock, the group chief executive, said the move served as “the next step in making our UK Mobile business a success for customers, colleagues and other shareholders”.
“Clearly, with unsustainable losses of £90m expected this year, Mobile is currently holding back the whole business,” he said.
Mr Baldock said the company would offer support to employees that will be let go, paying enhanced redundancy, bonuses, and helping them find new jobs.
“I do not underestimate how upsetting this news will be for our colleagues,” he said.
