Dixons: Equanet's southern presence secure

Dixons Retail is planning to find alternative premises for VAR arm after Borehamwood lease expires

Dixons Retail claims Equanet remains a strong brand

Dixons Retail has stressed that it remains committed to maintaining a southern office for VAR arm Equanet as the lease on its Borehamwood building nears expiration.

The retailer recently began a 30-day consultation with back-office staff at Equanet’s Bury outpost and has confirmed it expects this to result in some job losses. This comes 10 months after it closed Equanet's Surbiton office.

Equanet is one of three brands that make up Dixons Retail’s business-to-business division, alongside PC World Business and Macwarehouse. UK Computing division sales, which comprise the B2B activities, PC World and The Tech Guys, fell 13 per cent in the retailer’s fiscal year to 1 May 2010.

However, the retailer stressed it remains committed to the Equanet brand and scotched talk that it is planning to cut jobs in the south as the expiry date on the Borehamwood lease looms.

“We are planning to relocate to alternative premises and remain fully committed to retaining a southern office for Equanet,” said a spokesperson.

"Equanet is a strong brand and the group remains committed to driving Equanet’s transformation programme to deliver an efficient, customer-focused organisation. Equanet is well placed for any upturn in the B2B market."

Equanet said the consultation with staff in Bury is part of a drive to restructure its teams and further reduce costs. Some 30-50 positions are believed to be under threat, although the spokesperson would not confirm this.