Harvey Nichols puts jobs at risk as it strengthens fashion focus
Harvey Nichols is cutting a number of jobs as it looks to refocus on its core fashion and beauty proposal. The British luxury retailer confirmed the news to FashionUnited, stating that around 5 percent of its employees will be impacted by the restructuring of some teams and changes to several business activities.
The shift comes as part of a three-year transformation programme at the retailer, which, among other things, includes a refurbishment to its Knightsbridge flagship store.
An integral part of its plan also zones in on fashion, evidenced by the introduction of 75 new fashion brands for 2025. With this, the company is aiming to fuel growth and return to profitability.
While Harvey Nichols was unable to comment on exact details of the restructuring, for which consultations began May 21, the company did confirm that areas like food products and sub business activities that didn't align with the current business strategy were being looked at. Net loss reportedly widens
The exact number of roles to be impacted was also not confirmed. However, a report by The Times suggested that 70 jobs have been put at risk.
The media outlet further stated that unpublished figures, which it said it had seen, saw Harvey Nichols' net loss before tax increase to 34 million pounds in the year to March 31, 2024, up from 21 million pounds in the year prior.
In a statement to FashionUnited, a spokesperson for the company said: "Harvey Nichols is undergoing a significant transformation to re-establish the brand as a British icon and flagship destination.
'This involves major changes, including a substantial refurbishment of our Knightsbridge flagship store to significantly enhance the store's attractiveness and customer experience.
'As part of this transformation, we have already secured 75 new fashion brands for 2025. In line with this strategy and the focus on our core fashion and beauty edit we are putting forward proposals regarding the non-core areas of our business and the restructuring of some of our teams.
'We are committed to supporting all affected employees through this transition and ensuring the long-term success of our business.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fashion United
an hour ago
- Fashion United
Circular fashion won't work without consumers on board
Although European consumers might be ready for a circular economy, their wallets aren't. Recent research carried out for the EU SOLSTICE project across four European territories—Catalonia, Berlin, Prato and Grenoble—found that price and convenience are major factors in driving engagement with circular clothing offerings: as long as circular offerings like second-hand, rental and repair remain expensive or inconvenient, fast fashion will continue to dominate. Authors Written for FashionUnited by Hannah Beisel (Researcher, Circle Economy) and Ana Birliga Sutherland (Editor, Circle Economy) Why consumer behaviour matters The global textile industry is just 0.3 percent circular, according to the Circularity Gap Report Textiles : of the 3.25 billion tonnes of materials it consumes yearly, more than 99 percent are virgin in origin. Other environmental impacts are rife—from water pollution, carbon emissions to mountains of waste—and social injustices permeate the production chain. Although efforts to overhaul the textile industry have largely centred on production, consumers have an active role to play as well: their choices can nudge brands towards more circular choices, while opting for durable garments and embracing reuse and repair can have positive impacts in their own right. We can't just wait for change to happen in Brussels or corporate boardrooms—consumers can also make a difference through their choices at the till. While system shifts in policy, industry and finance are vital, consumer behaviour remains a powerful lever: fast fashion isn't flooding the planet on its own, it's fuelled by our habits. As part of the EU SOLSTICE project, we set out to understand the people at the end of the supply chain: the wearers, buyers, menders, and throwers-away of textiles. By mapping behaviour patterns across the four territories, we're laying the groundwork for local pilot projects tailored to real-life contexts—that we hope will drive real change. What drives (and blocks) circular habits? Price is the biggest motivator—and the biggest barrier Across all territories, consumers confirmed that price is the deciding factor when buying clothes—whether they're buying new, second-hand, or looking to repair a worn-but-loved item. And sometimes, even just the perception that circular options are too expensive is enough to turn people away. Circular alternatives such as second-hand shopping (in some cases), rental, or repair services are simply seen as less economical and convenient than fast fashion's rock-bottom prices—especially when the real costs of materials, labour and services like repair are hidden from view. Repairing a €20 pair of jeans can often cost as much as replacing them, making circular options a hard sell. If circular fashion is to compete, it needs to be both affordable and accessible. Perceptions vary too: in higher-income neighborhoods, circular fashion is often seen as more exclusive or high-quality, often marketed as something aspirational. In lower-income areas, price is the bottom line. Circular solutions need to cater to these diverse demands by ensuring that offerings are both high-quality and affordable. Subsidies, alternative pricing models, or public investment could help close this gap—until sustainable fashion makes financial sense for everyone, it will remain a niche rather than the norm. Access and convenience shape behaviour Awareness alone isn't enough: even when shoppers knew about circular options, many didn't use them because they weren't easy to access or fit into their daily lives. Affordability is just one facet of access: location, lack of infrastructure, access to certain skills and even cultural accessibility are other important factors. In Berlin, where options like clothing swaps and rental schemes are more common, awareness and participation were far higher. In Catalonia, where such services are sparse, engagement was much lower. The pattern is clear: infrastructure enables behaviour. Circular solutions must be the easier choice—it's not enough that they're simply visible. Different shoppers, different needs We identified two broad consumer profiles. First, shoppers for fun, who are trend-driven, expressive, and are influenced by peers or social media. This type of shopping tends to be more common among younger people—but not exclusively so. To appeal to this type of shopper, circular fashion must feel fresh and stylish, aligning with shoppers' identities. Circular solutions such as rental and swapping can hit the mark—allowing for continuous wardrobe refreshes at no additional cost to the planet— if they offer the kind of variety shoppers for fun are looking for. In contrast, shoppers for purpose tend to be practical, price-conscious, and focused on value. They shop for necessity, prioritising durability, comfort and need over novelty. Straightforward, reliable, and affordable circular options may pique this group's interest. Of course, these are just broad categorisations—and we must take care not to over-generalise. Decisions are shaped by numerous factors, from income and family needs to geography and access. But understanding these broad behaviours can help shape circular offerings that meet people where they are—making circular fashion the easier choice. Awareness doesn't equal action Even in areas where circular services were widely known—like repair shops—actual use was low. Reasons for this vary: for second-hand shopping, concerns related to hygiene, trust, convenience, and even social stigma were common. This demonstrates that knowledge alone won't shift behaviour: solutions must be easy, trusted, and embedded in daily life. Rental services, for example, need to be hassle-free, size-inclusive, and stylish enough to compete with fast fashion—not just exist in theory. Context matters, from neighbourhood to nation Cultural norms, economic status, urban/rural differences, and even specific neighbourhoods shape how shoppers engage, with some striking differences across territories. In Berlin, circular solutions are abundant—but decision fatigue can overwhelm shoppers. In Catalonia, fewer solutions exist, so awareness and usage are lower. In Prato and Grenoble, we saw strong links between clothing consumption and economic need—solutions must meet people where they are. Even neighbourhoods within cities tell different stories: as noted, higher-income neighbourhoods may see circular initiatives as exclusive and high-quality, while for others, affordability is the primary motivator. That's why circular strategies must be hyper-local — tailored to the cultural, economic, and educational realities of each community. One-size-fits-all won't work. We need tailor-made interventions based on local realities. Where do we go from here? These insights are already helping shape local pilot projects in all four territories, matching circular textile initiatives to real consumer habits and needs, targeting specific demographics, testing what works in practice, and focusing on making circular fashion more affordable and accessible. That might mean many different things: bringing movable repair services to rural areas, launching trend-conscious swap shops in urban centres, introducing affordability schemes for low-income communities, providing digital gamification platforms to enable citizens to connect with their local circular businesses, and even embedding circular education into school curriculums, for example. As the global fashion industry continues to evolve, the need for circular solutions has never been more urgent. Our research across Berlin, Prato, Catalonia, and Grenoble highlights the complexity of consumer engagement and the barriers to circular textile solutions. However, it also underscores the immense potential that lies in community-driven initiatives, tailored strategies, and increased accessibility to circular alternatives. Consumer behavior is often framed as the final hurdle to circular fashion—but it's also the key to unlocking demand. If circular choices can become the easy, affordable, and desirable option, people will follow. At every step, our aim is the same: to reduce textile waste by empowering people to buy less, buy better, and keep their clothes in use longer. Systemic change in the fashion industry requires shifts at all levels—from global supply chains to local shopping habits. Behavioural change won't solve everything, but without it, no other solution will stick. Learn more This is just the beginning. These insights are now guiding circular pilot initiatives across Catalonia, Berlin, Prato, and Grenoble — aligning real-world interventions with consumer mindsets. The SOLSTICE project aims to accelerate the textile sector's shift to circular practices through regional demonstrations. Learn more about what our textiles team are working on our website. .
STV News
an hour ago
- STV News
UK to be 'war-ready' as Government to build up to 12 attack submarines
The UK will build up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines and invest £15bn in its warhead programme, the Prime Minister will announce on Monday as the Government unveils its strategic defence review. Significant investment in the UK nuclear warhead programme this parliament and maintaining the existing stockpile are among the 62 recommendations that the Government is expected to accept in full. But questions were also raised about its commitment to defence spending after the Defence Secretary could not confirm the Treasury had guaranteed funding to bring it up to 3% of GDP by 2034. Building the new submarines, which is part of the Aukus partnership with the US and Australia, will support 30,000 highly skilled jobs into the 2030s as well as 30,000 apprenticeships and 14,000 graduate roles across the next 10 years, the Ministry of Defence said. Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'Our outstanding submariners patrol 24/7 to keep us and our allies safe, but we know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression. 'With new state-of-the-art submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead programme on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering on our Plan for Change with 30,000 highly skilled jobs across the country.' PA Media Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK 'must act decisively to face down Russian aggression' (Yui Mok/PA). The £15bn investment into the warhead programme will back the Government's commitments to maintain the continuous-at-sea nuclear deterrent, build a new fleet of Dreadnought submarines and deliver all future upgrades. From the late 2030s, the fleet of up to 12 SSN-Aukus conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines will replace seven astute class attack submarines the UK is due to start operating. In response to the strategic defence review, the Government will also commit to: – Getting the armed forces to a stage where it would be ready to fight a war – Boosting weapons and equipment stockpiles and making sure there is capacity to scale up production if needed in a crisis or war – Buying up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons in a move due to support 800 defence jobs – Setting up a new cyber command and investing £1bn in digital capabilities – More than £1.5bn of additional funding to repair and renew armed forces housing. Sir Keir Starmer will say: 'From the supply lines to the front lines, this Government is foursquare behind the men and women upholding our nation's freedom and security. 'National security is the foundation of my Plan for Change, and this plan will ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering a defence dividend of well-paid jobs up and down the country. 'This strategic defence review will ensure the UK rises to the challenge and our armed forces have the equipment they need that keeps us safe at home while driving greater opportunity for our engineers, shipbuilders and technicians of the future.' The Conservatives and Lib Dems questioned Labour's commitment to funding the promises it was making. The Government has previously set out its 'ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament', after meeting its pledge to ratchet up defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027. Healey had said there was 'no doubt' the UK would reach 3% in an interview with The Times. But on Sunday, he sidestepped questions about whether he had any guarantee from the Treasury to provide the funding when asked on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme. He said he does not expect to increase the number of people in the armed forces until the next Parliament amid a recruitment and retention crisis. Asked when the Army would reach the target of 73,000, Healey said: 'We've narrowed the gap, but we've still got more people leaving than joining. 'The first job is to reverse that trend and then I want to see in the next parliament our ability to start to increase the number.' Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: 'All of Labour's Strategic Defence Review promises will be taken with a pinch of salt unless they can show there will actually be enough money to pay for them. 'Whereas, far from guaranteeing the funding, John Healey has been hung out to dry by Rachel Reeves. 'As recently as Thursday, Healey promised that defence spending would definitely hit 3%, but today he's completely backtracked. 'These submarines are not due to enter service till the late 2030s, so how can we have any confidence Labour will actually deliver them when they can't even sustain a policy on defence spending for more than 48 hours?' Lib Dem defence spokesperson Helen Maguire said: 'This signals absolutely the right intent about the need to bolster the UK's defences in the face of Putin's imperialism and Trump's unreliability. 'But this must come with a concrete commitment and detail on full funding. 'Labour's mere 'ambition' rather than commitment to reach 3% of GDP on defence leaves serious questions about whether the money for these projects will actually be forthcoming. 'The 2034 timeline suggests a worrying lack of urgency from the Government. 'Unless Labour commits to holding cross-party talks on how to reach 3% much more rapidly than the mid-2030s, this announcement risks becoming a damp squib.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Keir Starmer to give major speech today amid grim warning world is in 'new era'
Keir Starmer will this morning unveil plans to put the UK on a war footing after issuing a fresh warning about Vladimir Putin. The Prime Minister will speak at around 10am in Scotland as he announces the long-awaited Strategic Defence Review. He told the BBC's Today Programme: " Russia has shown in recent weeks that it's not serious about peace, and we have to be ready." He said the review will focus on Britain's readiness for war, stating: "The world has changed and we are entering a new era when it comes to defence and security. "I think that's a common feeling across Europe and more broadly there is greater instability on defence and security than there has been for many, many years, and greater threats, and that's obviously having a direct impact back into the United Kingdom. Hence the review." He said he "very much" hopes he will not be forced to send British troops to war in the face of Russian aggression. But he said the UK "cannot ignore" the threat Putin poses. Earlier defence minister Luke Pollard has said the UK is "certainly not at war at the moment, but it's also true that we're certainly not at peace". He said action was needed to prevent conflict, telling BBC Breakfast: I think all your viewers will have seen the appalling scenes from Ukraine over recent years. They'll be aware that the world is more dangerous. They'll be aware that to secure our freedom and our economic prosperity, we have to invest in our national security. "It's the first duty of any government to keep our country safe, but it's also the first mission of this Labour Government to grow our economy by investing in defence. We're creating jobs in every single part of United Kingdom." He went on: "I don't want us to go to war. I want us to deter aggression. That is precisely what the defence review sets out to do today." A long-awaited strategic defence review will be published today, with the Government commiting to build 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines and invest £15billion in its warhead programme. Defence Secretary John Healey said last night that Britain "must act decisively to face down Russian aggression". Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here. And follow our Mirror Politics team here - Lizzy Buchan, Mikey Smith, Kevin Maguire, Sophie Huskisson, Dave Burke and Ashley Cowburn. Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Or sign up here to the Mirror's Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox. And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday.
