The Bijenkorf department store group is closing five of its 12 branches with the loss of 262 jobs because they do not meet its ‘premium experience’ standards.

The Arnhem and Enschede operations will close at the beginning of next year. The Groningen, Breda and Den Bosch stores will shut in spring 2016 when the rental contracts on their premises expire.

According to the Parool, budget clothing group Primark has already reached a deal with the landlords of the Arnhem and Enschede stores to take the premises over.

Primark has four stores in the Netherlands but plans for six more, in addition to Arnhem and Enschede, in the pipeline, the Parool said.

Luxury

The Bijenkorf said the stores which are being closed do not meet the crucial combination of factors needed for the group’s ‘premium experience’ strategy to succeed.

The seven outlets which remain open will focus more on luxury brands with ‘international allure’ and €200m has been earmarked to see the change through, news agency Novum said. Last year, the group introduced Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Gucci shops within its Amsterdam flagship store.

The Bijenkorf has been part of the Selfridges Group which is owned by Canadian investment house Wittington Investments since 2011.