Threat to thousands of jobs as Tesco plan to shut down its discount chain Jack’s | City & Business | Finance

It will axe some overnight restocking as well as the meat, fish and hot deli counters in 317 stores.

Jack’s was launched to great fanfare in 2018. Of its 13 stores, six will be converted to Tesco while the rest will close.

Overnight replenishment of shelves is going in 36 of the retail giant’s large supermarkets and 49 convenience stores. Restocking will be in daytime trading hours, which it says will mean more people on the shop floor to assist customers at peak times.

Some 36 store petrol stations will be pay-at-pump only overnight.

Tesco says that it has around 3,000 vacancies and that it wants to offer alternative roles.

Jason Tarry, UK and Republic of Ireland chief executive, said the shakeup follows changes in shoppers’ behaviour, especially since the pandemic. The money saved will be reinvested in Tesco’s prices and offerings.

He said: “We are always looking at how we can run our business as simply and efficiently as possible, so that we can reinvest in the things that matter most to customers.

“The changes we are announcing today will help us do this. Our priority now is to support our impacted colleagues through these changes and, wherever possible, find them alternative roles within our business.”

Market research group Kantar said Tesco increased its market share in the past year from 27.3 to 27.9 percent, while Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda lost customers.

German discounter Aldi’s share grew by 0.4 points to 7.8 percent, while rival Lidl increased its from 5.9 to 6.2 percent. Online grocer Ocado, after strong growth early in lockdown, saw its share rise by just 0.1 points to 1.8 percent.