UK-based supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has announced that around 500 office roles in the UK will be cut as part of plans to simplify store support operations.
The plans, which are subject to consultation, were announced by the retailer’s CEO Simon Roberts.
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As part of its Food First plan, Sainsbury’s will close part of its Beech office in Ansty and offices in Coventry and London.
Its Manchester office will have its space reduced by one floor while its offices in Holborn, London, and Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, will have their space reduced by two floors each.
The company plans to close its online fulfilment centre in Bromley-by-Bow, London, in June, hoping to redeploy most of the site’s 650 colleagues to neighbouring stores.
Sainsbury’s also plans to expand the online departments of more than 20 stores in and around London by next March.
The retailer aims to create savings that will be invested back into its core food business.
Roberts said: “Our new plan puts food first and will create a simpler, nimbler and more efficient business. The money we save will enable us to invest in what customers really care about – lower prices, exciting new products and the most convenient ways for them to shop.
“I know change is difficult, but to do the best job we can for our customers, it is vital that we adapt. I understand this will be a very difficult time for affected colleagues and we will do everything we can to fully support them.”
Last month, UK-based supermarket chain Asda announced plans to shut two of its online warehouses and reduce head office roles, putting around 5,000 jobs at risk.
