Tesco plans to axe HUNDREDS of jobs as it closes meat, fish and deli counters in 317 supermarkets

Tesco is set to scrap hundreds of jobs as it axes meat, fish and deli counters in 317 stores and closes its Jack’s discount chain. 

The company said it will shut counters at the shops with the ‘lowest demand’ amid changes in customer habits.

It is understood the move will impact hundreds of workers, although the retailer did not disclose the total number of affected staff.

It added that it will shut seven of its 13 Jack’s discount stores, impacting 130 jobs across the sites and its head office.

The six remaining outlets will become Tesco stores and a spokesman said people working in those six stores ‘will be automatically offered in-store roles’.

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 is set to scrap hundreds of jobs as it axes meat, fish and deli counters in 317 stores and closes its Jack’s discount chain

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 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.’ 

Tesco said it will shut counters at the shops with the ‘lowest demand’ amid changes in customer habits

In 2019, Tesco undertook a major restructuring process which impacted around 9,000 workers and included the closure of counters in 90 stores

Tesco said in the 279 stores where there is ‘local customer demand’ for meat, fish or hot deli counters, they will continue offering counter services.

But in the 317 stores where Tesco 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.