In major news that will impact thousands of Tesco staff members, the retailer has announced when it will close its remaining hot deli counters.
Tesco will also close a number of its in-store pharmacies. The overhaul of its services will impact around 2,100 jobs, while management restructuring will see the introduction of 1,800 new shift leader roles.
Tesco's shake-up was accompanied by its UK and ROI chief executive officer, Jason Tarry, saying: "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."
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Daniel Adams, national officer of the Usdaw union, said: "Tesco has informed us that they are looking to undertake restructures across the business. Clearly there is no good time to receive news like this, but it is especially difficult in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis and will be devastating for those who may be affected.
"Usdaw will be entering into collective consultation with Tesco immediately to interrogate these proposals."
Tesco will close its remaining counters and hot delis having previously removed them from the majority of shops, Coventry Live reports. A review into the counters began in 2019 and has found a decreasing need for them to remain in stores in the long term.
The supermarket said: "We have seen a significant decrease in demand for our counters over the last few years, and our customers no longer say they are a significant reason for them to come in store and shop with us."
Tesco reassured workers that all affected employees will be offered alternative roles, but did not confirm how many staff work on counters and delis.
It has been confirmed that Tesco will close its remaining counters and hot delis at stores from February 26, having previously removed counters from the majority of shops.
Counters may not disappear entirely, however, with Tesco saying: "Where we can work with a third party to offer a counter experience in-store, we will continue to do so." This could mean new partnerships and the expansion of some Yo! Sushi kiosks inside stores to other outlets.
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