SCOTLAND'S largest furniture retailer has announced it will make redundancies amid UK tax hikes and financial "challenges".
Family-run furniture firm Sterling Furniture said it needs to “restructure” and make cuts due to tax hikes in the UK Government’s recent Budget and the “evolving retail landscape”.
National Insurance contributions for employers are set to rise to 15% from April – which the Scottish Government estimates will cost businesses £850 per employee on average.
Sterling was founded in 1974 by George Knowles in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire.
The firm opened five other stores across Scotland, in Aberdeen, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Uddingston, as well as a clearance outlet in Dundee and a distribution centre based in Auchtermuchty, over the last 50 years.
There are currently around 400 staff employed by the firm, however, it is unclear how many jobs are at risk.
It has been confirmed that no sales staff will be impacted.
None of the stores are at risk of closure, the company said.
A spokesperson said: “In response to challenges in the evolving retail landscape, including the additional tax burden announced in the recent Budget, we have been forced to take difficult decisions to safeguard the future of the company.
“Regrettably, after conducting a comprehensive review of our operations and staffing levels, we have determined that restructuring and redundancies are necessary to ensure our long-term viability and success.
“The well-being of the affected staff is our main priority, and we fully acknowledge the impact these redundancies will have. We will do everything possible to minimise job losses and, where feasible, support employees in exploring alternative roles within the organisation. We are committed to helping them through this process to ensure a smooth transition.”
