N Brown puts jobs at risk

Online fashion group N Brown is to cut a small proportion of staff as part of the retailer’s ongoing transformation programme.

The group behind the Simply Be, JD Williams and Jacamo brands, said in a short statement it was “not a decision we take lightly… our operating model continues to evolve and this has resulted in a small number of roles being put at risk of redundancy”.

N Brown has been one of many fashion businesses weathering the tough UK retail environment but has continued to remain upbeat despite a string of negative numbers on the sales front last year.

In January, its last trading update for the 18 weeks ended 6 January highlighted “an improving product revenue trend”, adding it expects to meet its adjusted EBITDA guidance for FY24 and is making ongoing investment in its “transformational priorities with further progress expected” in 2024.

However, Q3 product revenue was down 9.7% at £150.2 million, albeit a slight improvement on the year as a whole, with year-to-date product revenue down a wider 10.6% at £337.7 million.

And the company will continue to look over its shoulder with Frasers Group having increased its stake in the business, from 19.36% to 20.02%, last month.