Primark is due to axe 400 shop floor jobs across the chain's UK stores as part of major restructuring plans.
The retailer, which is owned by Associated British Foods, said it had launched a consultation with staff as part of plans to simplify its UK store retail management structure.
It comes as the group revealed a hit to the fashion chain’s recent trading as Omicron kept shoppers away from stores, the PA News Agency reports.
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AB Foods said Primark’s UK like-for-like sales were 10% lower in the 16 weeks to January 8 when compared with pre-pandemic levels two years ago, with so-called shopper footfall hit by the rapid rise in Omicron cases.
However, AB Foods said trading had improved in recent weeks as Omicron fears have eased and added that like-for-like sales were higher when compared with the final quarter of its last financial year, when stores were shut due to lockdown measures.
Total Primark sales were 36% ahead year-on-year, it added.
AB Foods said supply chain problems had begun to ease since last autumn, although it is still seeing some delays at ports and with shipments.
The group is offsetting higher costs by slashing operating costs and overheads, and said it was simplifying its UK store management structure as part of this programme.
AB Foods is now looking to make the management structure consistent across its estate of over 190 stores in the UK.
While it is creating a new management level role as part of the move, it expects the changes to leave it with around 400 fewer retail managers.
Kari Rodgers, Primark retail director for the UK, said: "The changes we’re proposing will deliver a simplified and more consistent management structure across all of our stores, provide more opportunities for career progression and offer greater flexibility, all of which are designed to help us provide the best possible experience for both our customers and our colleagues.
"We are now focused on supporting our colleagues who are affected by these proposed changes and will be going through the consultation process."
