Pinterest Inc has announced that it will be ending leases of certain office spaces as part of a restructuring plan, in addition to its ongoing workforce reduction. The image-sharing platform has been hit by the pandemic, with revenues dropping and user growth slowing down.
The company has been facing increasing competition from social media giants such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as newer players like TikTok. In response, Pinterest has been investing heavily in new features and advertising tools to try and maintain its position in the market.
However, despite these efforts, the company has been struggling to meet its targets. In October 2021, Pinterest reported third-quarter revenue of $437 million, which missed estimates and represented a year-on-year decline of 6%. The company also lowered its full-year revenue guidance, citing the impact of the pandemic.
As a result, Pinterest has been forced to take cost-cutting measures, including workforce reductions and office space reductions. In December 2021, the company announced that it would be cutting about 4% of its workforce, or approximately 200 jobs.
Now, Pinterest has announced that it will also be ending leases of certain office spaces as part of its restructuring plan. The office space reductions are expected to be completed by 2023. The company has not specified which offices will be affected, but it is expected to include some of its smaller locations.
The restructuring plan is expected to incur charges of between $100 million and $125 million. This includes severance payments for laid-off employees, as well as costs associated with terminating leases early.
Pinterest had nearly 4,000 employees at the end of 2021, and had previously been expanding its workforce. However, the pandemic has forced the company to rethink its growth strategy and focus on reducing costs.
The restructuring plan is part of a wider trend of U.S. companies from technology to finance stepping up cost cuts as they brace for a potential recession. With economic uncertainty on the horizon, many companies are looking to reduce their expenses and preserve their cash reserves.
In February 2022, Bloomberg News reported that Pinterest was laying off about 150 employees, mainly in its sales and partnerships teams. The company said that the layoffs were part of its ongoing efforts to streamline its operations and improve efficiency.
Despite these challenges, Pinterest remains one of the largest social media platforms in the world, with over 400 million active users. The company has a strong user base and a loyal following, which it will be hoping to leverage as it looks to navigate the current economic climate.