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Tesco to cut 4500 jobs in Metro restructure

Supermarket giant Tesco has announced that around 4500 jobs are at risk as it seeks to ‘simplify’ store operations and reduce administrative processes at 153 Metro stores.

Tesco said its plans will help it to run a more sustainable business which it says will be better for customers as there will be more time to focus on customer service.

Tesco Metro was originally designed for larger weekly shops but with nearly 70 per cent of shoppers treating it like a convenience store, the retailer said it needs to change how it operates.

“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,” Jason Tarry, Tesco UK & ROI CEO, said.

“We are also making some small changes in 134 of our 1,750 Express stores, where customer footfall is lower. Changes in these stores will include a slight reduction in opening hours during quieter trading periods at the start and end of the day, and simplifying stock routines.”

Tesco said it expects these changes will lead to an “overall reduction of around 4,500 colleagues”.

The supermarket said its priority is to support affected colleagues and find alternative roles within the network for as many as possible.

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