The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Retail Retail Trade, Except Of Motor Vehicles And Motorcycles Retail Sale Of Other Goods In Specialised Stores 47.7 - Retail sale of other goods in specialised stores
2,335 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
1 May 2018
Employment effect (start)
8 March 2018
Foreseen end date
31 July 2018
Description
Maplin, a UK-based electronics retailer, went into administration in February 2018, putting its 2335 employees at risk of redundancy. In March, the administrators made redundant 141 employees working in the two head offices in London and Wath upon Dearne, in the north of England. However, staff working in Maplin’s 219 shops across the UK remained employed as the company attempted to sell off existing stocks. Some of the shops closed in May and although the company has not given any information about the timescale for the closures, it is reported in the media that all shops will be closed by July. This will make the company’s remaining employees redundant.
According to a report by the administrators, Maplin owes its employees £3.8 million (€4,3 million) for redundancy notice pay.
Maplin is one of several chains on UK high streets that are currently facing difficulties. A number of retailers, from New Look and Carpetright to Marks and Spencer are conducting major restructuring as a response to financial pressure.
Sources
20 May 2018: The Express
1 May 2018: Birmingham Mail
3 May 2018: The Times
Citation
Eurofound (2018), Maplin Electronics, Bankruptcy in United Kingdom, factsheet number 94215, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/94215.
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
The retail banking sector is fertile ground for studying the impacts of digitalisation on work and employment. Financial services are increasingly provided online, without the intermediary of customer-facing institutions.
European labour markets have recovered strongly from COVID-19. By the end of 2021, little more than 18 months after the start of the pandemic, employment rates in the EU were almost at pre-crisis levels.
