Thousands of Co-op jobs could be impacted after the group announced plans for a major restructure of its store management structure.
The retailer is to move to a three-tier structure with all affected employees set to be offered alternative positions.
It has also vowed that there will be no compulsory redundancies and its main aim is to protect jobs and pay.
Stores will go to a three-tier structure from four-tier which the group said is in line with similar structures to convenience competitors.
Under the changes, all team managers will be invited to remain in the business in a team leader role and those who wish to develop to a store manager position in the future can apply for a store manager trainee job.
The move comes after the Co-op has, over the past two years, been trialling and implementing a three-tier store management structure across about 300 stores.
A spokesperson for Co-op said: "Our aim at Co-op is to serve and support our communities, giving our customers the best possible shopping experience.
"As we move our stores over to a three-tier management structure, protecting jobs is a continuing key priority and we are pleased to be able to offer alternative positions to all the colleagues affected.
"These changes will free up store colleagues to give our customers great service from efficient and well-run shops."
