Job cuts likely as Sir Philip Green plans to absorb BHS into Arcadia Group

The owner of Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins will merge BHS into his retail empire to cut costs, potentially resulting in job losses.

High-street entrepeneur Sir Philip Green told staff on Tuesday that BHS, which he bought in 2000, but which remained as a separate entity, will now become part of the Arcadia Group.

Logistics, property and finance staff at BHS are to transfer to Arcadia’s headquarters to improve efficiency, and it is likely job cuts will follow.

Some of the group’s larger stores could be redesigned so that different brands such as BHS and Topshop can be sold under one roof.

Arcadia refused to rule out job losses, stating the move was still “a work in progress”.