LONDON: UK’s Sainsbury’s is cutting 500 jobs from its store support centers in the latest round of cost cutting from Britain’s biggest supermarkets as they fight to win back customers from the discounters.
Sainsbury’s said it will streamline our central divisions and bring our supermarkets and convenience businesses together resulting in 500 fewer jobs across all grades at its store support centers across the country.
The company said the job cuts are part of its ongoing plan to save £500 million over the next three years under new chief executive Mike Coupe, who took over from Justin King last year.
The supermarket employs around 161,000 people and runs 1,200 shops. Its store support centers, which cover roles such as research, legal functions and marketing, are located in London, Coventry and Manchester.
Mr. Coupe said that I recognise that these changes will be difficult for our colleagues and I can assure you the decision to make them was not taken lightly. However, I’m certain that we will be in a stronger position to deliver our new strategy and better equipped to win in these times of change as a result.