1,400 jobs at risk as Tesco axes overnight roles in stores
Tesco has announced changes to overnight roles at a number of supermarkets and petrol station stores in a move which will put more than 1,400 workers at risk of redundancy.
It comes after the retailer confirmed plans on Monday to close its Jack's discount supermarket arm, with seven stores shutting for good and the remaining six becoming Tesco shops.
Tesco said the combined changes will put around 1,600 workers at risk.
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."
The supermarket chain announced yesterday it is closing its meat counters in over 300 stores.
The retailer is closing meat, fish and deli counters in 317 stores and shutting down its Jack's discount chain - which was founded in 2018 to rival shops such as Lidl and Aldi.
It is understood the move will impact hundreds of Tesco workers, although the supermarket did not disclose the total number of affected staff.
Meat and fish counters will shut in stores where it has seen "lowest demand" amid changes in customer habits, Tesco said.
It added that it will shut seven of its 13 Jack's discount stores, impacting 130 jobs.
The six remaining outlets will become Tesco stores.
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Tesco UK and Republic of Ireland chief executive Jason Tarry said: "Our Jack's brand will continue to be sold across Booker and our symbol brands, bringing great value and quality to even more customers.
"We want to thank our Jack's colleagues for all they have done and taught us.
"Our priority is to find roles within our wider business for all the colleagues who want to stay with us."
Jack's was named after the Tesco founder, Jack Cohen, opening its first stores in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire and Immingham, Lincolnshire back in September 2018.
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Earlier this month, Tesco's chairman John Allan CBE told LBC stores were "coping well" after Brexit.
Speaking exclusively to Nick Ferrari, he explained there has been a shift to move products by trains and additional ports to reduce the strain on Calais and Dover.
He said: "I think the system is coping and certainly Tesco is coping well."
Mr Allan also discussed the supermarket's decision not to follow the lead of Ocado, Next and Ikea in cutting sick pay for un-jabbed employees who need to isolate.
He said there were no plans to change policy offering full sick pay to unvaccinated workers.