Morrisons’ store and operations cost-cutting move risks 365 jobs

UK supermarket chain Morrisons has unveiled a comprehensive plan to revitalise its business operations as it embarks on the second phase of its strategic renewal programme.

The retailer plans to close multiple facilities, including 17 convenience stores, 13 florist shops, 52 cafés, all 18 of its Market Kitchens, 35 meat and fish counters and four in-store pharmacies.

At the end of the 2023/24 fiscal year, its network of convenience stores reached 1,600.

The adjustments are aimed at fostering growth, streamlining processes and counteracting the impact of recent significant cost escalations.

Morrisons chief executive Rami Baitiéh stated: “The changes we are announcing today are a necessary part of our plans to renew and reinvigorate Morrisons and enable us to focus our investment into the areas that customers really value and that can play a full part in our growth.

“Morrisons cafés are rightly famous for their great quality well-priced food, their place in the local community and their appealing mix of traditional favourites alongside exciting new dishes. In most locations the Morrisons café has a bright future, but a minority have specific local challenges and, in those locations, regrettably, closure and re-allocation of the space is the only sensible option.”

The company gave assurances that most employees affected by these changes are expected to be reassigned to appropriate roles within the company’s stores.

However, the closure will affect an estimated 365 staff members.

Baitiéh stated: “Although these changes are relatively small in the context of the overall scale of the Morrisons business, we do not take lightly the disruption and uncertainty they will cause to some of our colleagues. We will of course take particular care to look after all of them well through the coming changes.”

In its financial report for the fiscal year 2023/24, released in January 2025, Morrisons reported a revenue increase to £15.27bnup by 3.8% from £14.71bn in the previous fiscal year.

It recently enhanced its senior leadership with the appointment of three industry veterans and the formalisation of key internal roles.

“Morrisons’ store and operations cost-cutting move risks 365 jobs” was originally created and published by Retail Insight Networka GlobalData owned brand.

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