Tesco says management shake-up and hot counter closures to impact 2,100 jobs

Tesco has announced a plan to shake-up management and close hot counters and delis will impact approximately 2,100 jobs.

The shake-up will also introduce around 1,800 new shift leader roles in stores, the UK’s largest supermarket chain said.

The counters and hot delis will close from 26 February, the retailer added.

Jason Tarry, Tesco UK and ROI chief executive officer, said: “These are difficult decisions to make, but they are necessary to ensure we remain focused on delivering value for our customers wherever we can, as well as ensuring our store offer reflects what our customers value the most.

“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.”

The shake-up of its management structure will impact around 1,750 workers and 350 workers will be impacted by a series of localised changes, such as the closure of eight pharmacies and reduced hours at some in-store post offices, the store group added.

Providing more detail about the management staff affected, the Tesco said in a statement: “With the introduction of these new Shift Leader roles and realignment of management roles, we have taken the difficult decision to reduce the number of Lead and Team Managers in our large stores, impacting around 1,750 colleagues.

“We are supporting colleagues impacted by these changes, who will have the option of moving into Shift Leader vacancies with financial support or taking redundancy.”

Tesco did not say how many staff work on counters and delis. It said all affected workers would be offered alternative roles.

Most hot counters and delis have already been removed from the majority of shops, it said.