Arcadia lays off market researchers

Arcadia is laying off up to seven market researchers. A restructure by new boss Philip Green also throws into doubt the role of group marketing director Steven Sharp.

Up to 100 jobs are to be axed across the group, in services that are shared by Arcadia – which includes Top Shop, Top Man, Burton and Dorothy Perkins – and Green’s Bhs chain. The layoffs will include a number of market researchers. It is not clear whether the group’s marketing department will also be cut, bringing into question the roles of Sharp and group marketing manager Richard Smith.

The brand teams for each retailer have been told that they will now report to Green himself, rather than business unit managing directors Mike Goring and Nick Hollingworth. It is not clear whether Goring and Hollingworth will be retained.

Green took control of Arcadia in October, after a £850m takeover bid. Since then he has imposed a 1.25 per cent price cut on suppliers.