Department store Gibbons Company has made cut jobs, blaming Bermuda’s struggling retail sector.A spokesman for Gibbons Company said yesterday three staff had been made redundant and nine long-serving employers had accepted retirement.They are part of mounting job losses at Bermuda companies this year. More than 20 jobs were lost last month alone, including four at CellOne, six at HWP, six at Appleby and six last week at AF Smith.Gibbons Company said the job losses occurred last month and “came as a result of the continued decline in retail sales and the need for the company to make readjustments to its business model in order to remain competitive”.The retailer employs 89 Bermudians, most of whom have been with the company for 10 to 20-plus years, Gibbons Company said.A company spokesman said: “Gibbons Company like many other international and local businesses has been forced to make some difficult decisions in order to sustain a healthy business in Bermuda.“Gibbons Company remains committed to Bermuda and will continue to employ and develop Bermudians with a keen interest in retail in order to give the Bermuda community the best choice, at a fair value with excellent customer service.“Gibbons Company CEO Paula Clarke said: “There is no doubt that making these kinds of decisions is difficult for all of us. We have been in dialogue with the team for quite some time about the business, the economic environment and the potential for restructuring. We value the contributions that our employees make for the ultimate success of Gibbons Company and it is with great regret that we announce the recent retirements and redundancies.”She added: “The harsh reality of the current economic environment in Bermuda means that there is simply less spending occurring across the island within multiple retail sectors. Everyone is being affected. In order to remain a viable retail provider we must remain vigilant as to the trends and business indicators occurring both locally and around the world.”Gibbons Company, founded in 1916, is now Bermuda’s largest department store, with 11 departments, six branch stores and an online store, selling women’s, men’s and children’s clothing and shoes, home goods, accessories and MAC cosmetics.