280 Comet staff in consultation

The consultation period is expected to last for 30 days at head office and at the repairs and servicing centres.

It is not known how many jobs may go as a result.

The retailer said it is liaising with employee representatives throughout the consultation process.

Managing Director, Hugh Harvey, said: "This is a difficult but necessary step in the management of the business. It is going to be more important than ever that Comet manages its costs effectively while retaining its commitment to customer service."

This is the second wave of redundancies at Comet in the last 12 months. Last August the retailer scrapped the position of store deputy manager across the 250-store chain, resulting in 95 job losses.