Tesco has announced a shake-up of its store management structure along with the closure of some pharmacies and the remaining fresh food counters in its supermarkets.
The UK’s leading grocer is changing the way it manages its larger stores, impacting around 1,750 staff. The new structure will see Tesco introduce about 1,800 ‘shift leader’ roles in its Superstores and Extra stores and also realign its store manager roles.
At the same time, the company will reduce the number of ‘lead’ and ‘team managers’ in its bigger outlets.
Tesco stated that those affected would have the option of moving into shift leader vacancies or taking redundancy.
Other localised changes across the UK will impact a further 350 roles. These include the closure of eight pharmacies, moving overnight roles to the daytime in 12 stores, reducing hours within some in-store Post Offices, removing a small number of head office roles and closing a maintenance centre in Milton Keynes.
Meanwhile, Tesco revealed that it also planned to close its remaining meat, fish and deli counters from 26 February. All impacted workers will be offered alternative roles.
Early last year, the retailer announced that it was shutting a further 317 meat, fish and hot food deli counters following 90 closures in 2019 as part of a business simplification strategy. After the closures, only around 280 Tesco stores hosted food counters.
Jason Tarry, Tesco’s Chief Executive for the UK and Ireland, said: “These are difficult decisions to make, but they are necessary to ensure we remain focused on delivering value for our customers wherever we can, as well as ensuring our store offer reflects what our customers value the most.
“Our priority is to support those colleagues impacted and help find alternative roles within our business from the vacancies and newly created roles we have available.”
Tesco’s moves come just days after Asda announced three changes to its operations as part of efforts to make efficiency savings amid industry pressure to keep a lid on rising prices.
NAM Implications:
- (The numbers look high, given the size of Tesco)
- Tesco patently turning the spotlight on everything..
- …in a search for discounter-driven efficiencies.
