XXL announced on May 5 that it has decided to initiate a process to reduce the workforce at its headquarters in Norway by around 25, about 20 percent of the employees. Formal procedures for potential dismissals are about to be launched in Sweden and Finland. The Nordic sporting goods retailer’s new chief executive, Pål Wibe, said the company wants “to ensure a transparent and fair process and to support everyone affected.” The move came after XXL reported poor results for the first quarter, although the drop in the turnover was mitigated by a major clearance program. About six weeks ago, following the forced closure of stores due to the Covid-19 crisis, the retailer already had to temporarily lay off more than 1,000 store employees in Norway and Austria.