Yahoo Finance Big W UPDATE: 41 Optical stores to close by 30 June
All 41 Big W Optical practices will shut by 30 June, the major retailer has announced today, following news the company would close 30 entire stores over three years.
“We wish to inform you that all BIG W Optical practices will be permanently closing on 30 June 2019,” the company said in a statement today.
“We apologise for any inconvenience and would like to take this opportunity to thank you kindly for your support as a valued optical customer of Big W.”
Big W announced it would terminate its optometric branch earlier this month, saying 175 optical staff would be affected.
“We have a specialist support resource that is available to all Big W Team members and will remain available for three months after they finish their employment with Big W,” a spokesperson told Insight News at the time.
“Last, we will continue to work with each team member individually to understand their preferences.”
Big W to shut 30 stores
It comes just weeks after Big W confirmed it would need to close 30 stores over the coming three years due to challenges in profitability.
“As foreshadowed at our half year 2019 results, while the recovery in trading for BIG W is encouraging and there remains further opportunity for improvement, the speed of conversion to earnings improvement is taking longer than planned,” the CEO of Big W parent company Woolworths Group, Brad Banducci said.
“We understand the impact that the store and distribution centre closures will have on our team and will endeavour to provide affected team members with alternative employment options within the Woolworths Group where possible.”
Big W expects to make a loss of $80-$100 million in the 2019 financial year before interest and tax, following a loss of $110 million in the 2018 financial years.
Big W will retain all health records unless customers request otherwise, but customers may request a copy or summary of their health records.
Customers will be able to pick up products until 30 June and can make appointments and prescription orders until 7 June.
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