(qlmbusinessnews.com . Thu 13th Nov, 2025) London, UK —
Rise of AI and Government Costs to Slash British Online Retail Jobs
The chief of one of Britain's premier online shopping enterprises has forecasted a drastic shrinkage in his workforce, attributing the future cuts to the rise of automation and artificial intelligence (AI). Nick Glynne, at the helm of Buy It Direct—which encompasses Appliances Direct—shared his grim outlook with Reporters 5 Live's ‘Wake Up To Money', indicating that employment prospects within his business are set to dwindle significantly.
Currently, Buy It Direct sustains over 800 employees across the UK, yet impending cuts could see this number drop by more than 500 within a mere three years. Although Glynne emphasizes that there isn’t a rigid plan in place, he acknowledges that the acceleration towards this future has been partly spurred by increased governmental costs imposed on the business.
The UK Treasury has responded to these concerns, citing that the raised levies on employers have been instrumental in fulfilling public priorities, highlighting various initiatives such as bolstering the NHS and reducing waiting lists.
Based in Huddersfield, Buy It Direct extends its reach through several online retail outlets, including Furniture 123, and maintains a global presence with an additional 150 employees stationed abroad and a customer service division in the Philippines.
Glynne pointed out that recent hikes in the national living wage and national insurance are prime examples of tax policies hastening the company's move towards a leaner workforce. He projects a dramatic reduction—two-thirds fewer employees both in office settings through AI and in warehouses via adopting robotics and automation technologies.
The move towards a significantly automated operation underscores a broader, ongoing concern about the displacement of jobs, particularly at the entry-level, by AI and technology. This concern is echoed across various sectors, with recent graduates in fields like graphic design and computer science voicing difficulties in competing against technological advancements for job opportunities.
Additionally, the retail mogul disclosed that increasing tax burdens have compelled Buy It Direct to rethink its outsourcing strategies, leading to an uptick in recruiting higher-level positions outside the UK. According to Glynne, this experimental approach has largely been successful, with the company now employing accountants, managers, traders, and IT specialists from abroad, whom he describes as equally skilled and, in some cases, more motivated than their British counterparts.
This pivot in employment strategy comes amid news from giants like Amazon, which announced a substantial reduction of 14,000 jobs last month in a bid to streamline its operations and capitalise on AI advancements. The shift highlights a transformative period in the job market, where technological innovations are rapidly redefining traditional employment landscapes.
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