A leading supermarket chain is considering cutting more than 150 positions due to a disappointing holiday season performance. Asda is looking to reduce expenses and streamline its operations following a decrease in festive sales by 4.2% this year, resulting in a decline in market share to 11.4%. The company is proposing to eliminate over 80 management roles and expects that several warehouse workers will also be impacted.
While Asda is facing challenges, competitors like Tesco and Sainsbury’s saw an increase in sales during the Christmas period. The exact number of job losses is still uncertain, but discussions on redundancies are ongoing. The trade union GMB is supporting affected staff through collective consultations and individual meetings.
As part of the restructuring plans, Asda intends to establish regional hubs for transport operations and is considering involving Evri for parcel-handling services due to the high demand. The company aims to enhance efficiency by reducing redundant tasks, improving regional flexibility, and minimizing reliance on external support.
In a communication obtained by the Telegraph, Asda executives mentioned the reduction of regional managers overseeing stores as part of the restructuring efforts. The supermarket chain, ranked third in the UK, had previously faced criticism for previous lay-offs without a consultation period.