Hotel Chocolat has begun a formal redundancy consultation, putting jobs at risk as it plans to take the business in a “leaner and more competitive direction”.
The official consultancy process began on 21 February when staff were notified that their roles were at risk due to the process which “may lead to changes or to them leaving the business”.
In a leaked letter seen by Grocery Gazette, the UK chocolate business said it was “operating with a backdrop of calmer growth plans and increasing costs”.
“In line with the shape of our future plan we’ve taken steps to build more collaboration, cost-efficiency and profitability into our model. The next major step on this journey is organising ourselves for sustainable success in 2023 and beyond.
“The decision to impact colleagues is not taken lightly. This means we need to make some changes to the way we organise that may involve fewer members of the team. Our business plan has evolved to focus on more careful growth, and we will now work through a formal consultation process.”
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A Hotel Chocolat employee told Grocery Gazette that an emergency notice was issued to all staff at 10.30am the day before the announcement, asking all staff to attend a briefing. They were then given an official letter and timeline, along with contact numbers for mental health charities.
The business has recently revealed plans to expand its retail footprint in London over the next three years following a sales growth of 10% in the run up to Christmas.
A Hotel Chocolat spokesperson commented: “We recognise this is a difficult time for our team as we consult with them on the proposal, and we are supporting them at this time. This decision has not been taken lightly.
“After careful consideration, the changes we are proposing are part of the next phase in our journey towards sustainable success for the years ahead.”
Members of Hotel Chocolat staff affected by the consultation have been asked not to speak to the press.
2 Comments. Leave new
Does this mean that some of the shops in shopping centres are liable for closure?
Hotel Chocolat also got rid of their security team, because the execs did not like being told they have a lot of problems security their network. they do not have anyone in the business with a Security background and are just relying on staff with little experience in the IT department