Morrisons announced that it would close its cafes, meat counters and convenience stores in order to reduce recent cost increases.
Aldi, the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket in 2022, has said that it will make changes to its operations and stores to increase growth.
The review found that “costs are out of proportion to usage, volume or value placed by customers”.
Morrisons has proposed a number changes in the next few months. These include the closure of 52 cafés, 18 market kitchens (including all the fish counters), 17 convenience stores, thirteen florists, and 35 meat counters.
Morrisons expects to redeploy “the majority” of the 365 employees at risk in other roles. Morrisons UK employs approximately 118,000 people.
Rami Baitieh said that the changes announced today were a part of Morrisons’ plans to renew, reinvigorate and refocus its investment in areas valued by customers and which can contribute to our growth.
Morrisons cafes, he said, are known for their high-quality, affordable food, their role in the community, and their mix of old favourites with exciting new dishes. Most cafes in the stores have a bright future, but some have local challenges that require closure or re-allocation.
The retailer, which is owned by private equity, plans to partner with third parties in some stores to offer a specialist service.
Baitieh continued: “We do not take lightly that these changes will disrupt and cause uncertainty to some of our employees.
We will take special care to ensure that they are all well looked after during the coming changes.
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