More than 1,400 jobs are at risk at Tesco over plans to axe overnight roles at number of stores
- Up to 1,400 Tesco workers are at risk of losing their jobs under new proposals
- Tesco plans to axe overnight stocking in 36 large stores and 49 express stores
- It will convert 36 petrol stations to be pay-at-pump only during overnight hours
- Yesterday, Tesco also announced the closure of its Jack’s discount supermarkets
- Seven Jack’s stores will shut for good and the other six will become Tesco shops
- In total, the combined changes are expected to put around 1,600 workers at risk
Up to 1,400 shop workers at Tesco could soon lose their jobs as the supermarket giant has pledged to remove hundreds of overnight roles in its 4,000 stores across the UK and Ireland.
Today, the supermarket giant said the vast majority of these redundancies would be a result of changing overnight staffing structures at many shops.
The retailer will remove overnight stocking in 36 large stores, 49 convenience stores and also convert 36 petrol stations to be pay-at-pump only during overnight hours.
It comes after the retailer confirmed plans yesterday to close its Jack’s discount supermarket arm, with seven stores shutting for good and the remaining six becoming Tesco shops.
In total, the combined changes are expected to put around 1,600 workers at risk.
Tesco is set to scrap around 1,400 jobs as overnight roles change in its stores
Tesco UK and Republic of Ireland CEO Jason Tarry said: ‘We operate in a highly competitive and fast-paced market’
Tesco UK and Republic of Ireland CEO Jason Tarry said: ‘We operate in a highly competitive and fast-paced market, and our customers are shopping differently, especially since the start of the pandemic.
‘We are always looking at how we can run our business as simply and efficiently as possible, so that we can reinvest in the things that matter most to customers.
‘The changes we are announcing today will help us do this.
‘Our priority now is to support our impacted colleagues through these changes and, wherever possible, find them alternative roles within our business.’
Jack’s – named after its founder Jack Cohen – was launched by former chief executive Dave Lewis, in 2018, as part of Tesco’s attempt to take on the surging growth of German discount rivals Aldi and Lidl
Jack’s – named after its founder Jack Cohen – was launched by former chief executive Dave Lewis, in 2018, as part of Tesco’s attempt to take on the surging growth of German discount rivals Aldi and Lidl.
Tesco said it ‘learned a tremendous amount’ from the business to help it understand the discount operating model, which includes much fewer lines than its traditional shops.
However, it said now ‘the time is right to focus on continuing to deliver great value in our core business’.
It added that its experience with Jack’s has helped its core Tesco business to be more competitive, with the supermarket chain boasting strong sales and gaining share from rivals since the pandemic hit in early 2020.
Tesco said it will shut counters at the shops with the ‘lowest demand’ amid changes in customer habits
Tesco is also planning to axe meat, fish and deli counters in 317 stores – although these workers are set to be offered other roles in the business.
Tesco stated that in the 317 stores where it sees its lowest demand, the counters will be closed and the space will be ‘repurposed’.
A spokesman said there will be no redundancies as a result of the counter changes ‘as affected colleagues will be offered alternative roles’.
In 2019, Tesco undertook a major restructuring process which impacted around 9,000 workers and included the closure of counters in 90 stores.
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