Tesco warns 1,600 jobs at risk over plans to axe overnight roles at 85 stores and close Jack’s chain

Tesco warns 1,600 jobs are at risk: Supermarket plans to axe night time shelf-stocking at 85 stores, make 36 petrol stations pay at pump only during overnight hours and close its Jack’s discount chain

  • Tesco plans to axe overnight stocking in 36 large stores and 49 express stores 
  • It will convert 36 petrol stations into pay-at-pump only during night-time hours
  • Yesterday, Tesco also announced the closure of its Jack’s discount supermarkets
  • Seven Jack’s stores will shut for good and the other six will become Tesco shops
  • In total, the combined changes are expected to put around 1,600 workers at risk


Up to 1,600 shop workers at Tesco could soon lose their jobs as the supermarket giant announced an overhaul of its overnight staffing in many shops. 

Today, the retailer unveiled plans to remove overnight stocking in 36 large stores, 49 convenience stores and also to convert 36 petrol stations to be pay-at-pump only during overnight hours.

The move will likely mean more shelf-stacking during daytime shopping hours in the 85 affected stores. 

It comes after Tesco confirmed plans yesterday to close its Jack’s discount supermarket arm, with seven stores shutting for good and the remaining six becoming Tesco shops. 

In total, the combined changes are expected to put around 1,600 workers at risk.

Social media users suggested the changes to overnight stocking would have a negative impact on shoppers’ experiences in the store

Tesco is set to scrap around 1,400 jobs as overnight roles change in its stores

Tesco UK and Republic of Ireland CEO Jason Tarry said: 'We operate in a highly competitive and fast-paced market'

Tesco UK and Republic of Ireland CEO Jason Tarry said: ‘We operate in a highly competitive and fast-paced market’

Wayne Kerr posted: ‘You make the aisles more congested with cages impacting a customer’s ability to shop easily.’ 

Jazza tweeted: ‘All the work the [overnight workers] do will now take place around customers trying to get their shopping.’ 

Elsewhere, Wayne Jones tweeted: ‘An already awful shopping experience made worse’.

Tesco UK and Republic of Ireland CEO Jason Tarry said: ‘We operate in a highly competitive and fast-paced market, and our customers are shopping differently, especially since the start of the pandemic.

‘We are always looking at how we can run our business as simply and efficiently as possible, so that we can reinvest in the things that matter most to customers.

‘The changes we are announcing today will help us do this.

‘Our priority now is to support our impacted colleagues through these changes and, wherever possible, find them alternative roles within our business.’

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

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

 

Twitter users suggested the changes to overnight stocking would have a negative impact on shoppers' experiences in the store

Twitter users suggested the changes to overnight stocking would have a negative impact on shoppers’ experiences in the store

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

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

Yesterday, Tesco also revealed it is closing meat, fish and deli counters in 317 stores.

It is understood that this move will also affect hundreds of shop workers.

Tesco stressed that these employees will all be offered alternative jobs and did not include them in the 1,600 figure.  

The firm said it is aiming to redeploy all affected staff, and highlighted 3,000 vacancies across its operations.

The restructuring moves come despite the company telling shareholders last month that it expects to post record profits of more than £2.6 billion for the current financial year.

Tesco is among the grocery retailers that flourished during the pandemic as customers spent more time at home.