Fnac deploys restructuring to cut Belgian jobs

French electronics and books chain Fnac has announced a restructuring in Belgium that will cost 57 people their job (12 % of the work force), as turnover continues to slide.

Flexible work force

Like 2017, last year saw a further turnover decrease at Fnac Belgium. That was the last drop for the Belgian Fnac Darty subsidiary, that felt obligated to start a restructuring plan, Belgian newspaper De Tijd reports. 57 out of 456 jobs would be cut, while employees would also face a more flexible working time and an extension of their tasks: they will now also have to venture into departments in which they are not specialised, the paper says.

Fnac says these measures are necessary “to cope with the difficult economic context with which the distribution sector is confronted”, a press release explains. No stores will be closed, but some may have to be reduced in size. The chain maintains that it will continue opening new stores, but they will be of a smaller variety. Moreover, it wants to increase diversification and strengthen its omnichannel strategy.

The other Belgian Fnac Darty subsidiary, Vanden Borre, will not be hit by the restructuring as that chain is still able to grow: its last financial results displayed a turnover growth to 657 million euros and a profit of 16 million.