| Budget clothing group Primark has a successful store in the Overgate retail centre, just a few steps from the Littlewoods outlet, and since the acquisition last month, questions have been raised over the future of the jobs of the Littlewoods staff.
A spokesperson for Primark’s parent company, Associated British Foods, said today, “It’s still too early to tell. We’re going through a process of selecting the most appropriate stores.
“The two stores in Dundee being right next to each other is quite a unique situation, so we’re evaluating which is best to retain.”
Factors being taken into consideration include the size and condition of the stores, as well as the degree of interest expressed during the marketing phase.
“There’s a whole mix of things which come into play and it could still be a few weeks off when we have the information together,” the spokesperson added.
Conversion of Littlewoods stores to Primark format is not set to begin until March, while retail restructuring specialist, Hilco, is running the remaining Littlewoods stores until then.
Primark intends to spend about £4 million on refurbishing each of the Littlewoods stores that it retains, which is expected to be around 60% of the 120 high street stores they acquired.
At the time the deal went through, a spokesperson for ABF, who also own Twinings tea and Silver Spoon sugar, said it was unlikely they would have two Primark stores in the city. He also said it was hoped many of the 2500 Littlewoods staff would remain with Primark. |
