Tesco reveals 1,600 may lose jobs due to store operation changes

Tesco is the largest retail company in the United Kingdom, and on Tuesday, Feb. 1, it announced there have been big changes in its operations. Unfortunately, these changes will also impact a number of the employees as 1,600 of them could lose their jobs.

Tesco said as operational adjustments are implemented, many roles in the company are no longer needed. For instance, the retailer is getting rid of the night shifts and overnight restocking thus, workers assigned here are bound to be laid off.

The British company headquartered in Welwyn Garden City, England, explained that it would be moving its overnight stock replenishment into the daytime. All of its 36 big store outlets and 49 convenience stores will have the same schedule.

According to Reuters, Tesco will also be transforming its 40 petrol stations into a pay-at-pump service at overnight hours. The staff that will also be affected by the changes include 130 roles related to the shutdown of Jack's stores that was announced earlier this week.

"We operate in a highly competitive and fast-paced market and our customers are shopping differently, especially since the start of the pandemic," Jason Tarry, Tesco U.K., and Ireland's chief executive officer, said in a statement.

The company chief went on to say, "We are always looking at how we can run our business as simply and efficiently as possible so that we can re-invest in the things that matter most to customers and the changes we are announcing today will help us do this."

Then again, Tesco said it currently has 3,000 job vacancies, and this will surely help all the affected workers in finding alternative roles. Meanwhile, BBC News reported the potential job cuts came just a day after the company confirmed it is closing down its Jack's discount chain. It is also set to close many of its meat and deli counters.

The move is only a small part of Tesco's restructuring plans. The retail chain brand operates around 3,000 stores in the U.K., and 800 are large supermarkets.