Homebase pulls plug on kitchens
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SAINSBURY'S Homebase is pulling out of the kitchens business in a move that will lead to the loss of 550 jobs.
The kitchen departments, which featured in 99 Homebase outlets, will close with the space being devoted instead to tiles and floor coverings such as rugs. The decision will cost pounds 15.5m this year, including pounds 6.5m in redundancy charges.
David Bremner, Sainsbury's deputy chief executive and the chairman of Homebase, said the steps would add to profitability next year. The kitchen business had been forecast to lose about pounds 5m in the current year.
Sainsbury's Homebase accounted for 11.8 per cent of the UK kitchen market, and its decision to pull out will be good news for the other leading players, such as MFI, Magnet, B&Q and Moben.
The cuts are the latest in a series of redundancy programmes at Sainsbury's as the struggling supermarket group seeks to make its operations more efficient.
Separately, Wilkinson, a Nottinghamshire-based retailer, yesterday unveiled plans to open five of its household goods stores in Wales in the next 12 months. It is also building a new distribution centre near Newport, creating over 1,000 new jobs in Wales.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments