H&M cuts 150 jobs as it closes Edinburgh call centre

H&M has announced plans to close its Edinburgh call centre by the end of the year, with 150 jobs losses expected.

Staff at the brand's Waverley Gate office were told in August of a proposal to shut the building due to the lease expiring in 2025.

H&M blamed the closure on increased competition, changing customer behaviours and operational costs, according to the BBC.

Documents seen by BBC Scotland News showed that employees were given two weeks' notice of their dismissal, but workers entitled to more notice will be paid in lieu.

A spokesperson for H&M told the organisation: "We constantly evaluate how we operate to ensure that we deliver on our goals and contribute to the overall success of the company.

"Having looked into the scope of our customer service set-up, increased competition in the market, our customers changing behaviours and expectations and operational costs, we have made the difficult decision to proceed with the proposed closure of our customer service site in Edinburgh by the end of the year."

The company held consultations with employees between September and November this year and said the number of job losses had been reduced by people being offered alternative roles, finding other employment or choosing to leave voluntarily.

Operations at the call centre will cease from 14 December before the site officially closes in March 2025.