The UK’s largest supermarket chain pointed to shoppers’ changing habits as being an important reason
behind the cuts. Tesco Metro outlets were originally designed for a weekly shop but seven in 10 customers
now use them as convenience stores, purchasing food to eat that day, the company said.
To adapt to this change Tesco said it would implement faster and simpler ways of filling shelves, keeping
less stock in store rooms and more on shelves. Staff members will be asked to work more “flexibly” around
the store.
Tesco is also facing up to an increasingly tough retail environment with rising minimum wages and stiff
competition, not least from discount chains Aldi and Lidl.
Jason Tarry, Tesco’s UK & Ireland boss, said: “In a challenging, evolving retail environment, with
increasing cost pressures, we have to continue to review the way we run our stores to ensure we reflect the
way our customers are shopping and do so in the most efficient way. We do not take any decision which
impacts colleagues lightly, but have to make sure we remain relevant for customers and operate a
sustainable business now and in the future.”
The latest round of cuts comes after 4,500 Tesco staff lost their jobs under plans announced in January to
cut back on counters such as butchers and bakeries in larger stores. Tesco remains one of the UK’s largest
private sector employers, with more than 300,000 staff.