Up to eight jobs - or 10% of the staff of Carpet Court in Dunedin - could be lost following a downturn of about 20% in work during the first quarter of the calendar year.
Carpet Court general manager Christine Ogden said turnover until December had been good and the Dunedin corporate business, one of about 60 throughout the country running as either franchises or part of a corporate chain, employed 73 staff.
"Things were good until December, but in the first quarter people were holding their money rather than spending it," said Ms Ogden, who contacted the Otago Daily Times following rumours Carpet Court was considering laying off larger numbers of staff.
She said up to eight jobs could be affected, principally from the floor-covering installation team, but it was hoped two could go to other areas within the business and some possibly transfer to other Carpet Court outlets.
Consultation with staff would continue until a decision was made next Wednesday and she hoped suggestions, such as working a nine-day fortnight, could assist with retention of some jobs.
