Tesco, Britain's biggest retailer, said it would no longer operate stores under the low-cost 'Jack's' brand, less than five years after it established the format amid much fanfare.
Out of the 13 Jack’s stores, six will be converted to Tesco superstores, with the remaining seven earmarked for closure in the coming months.
The company has also decided to move overnight stock replenishment into the daytime trading hours in 36 large stores and 49 convenience stores.
In 36 stores, the retailer will convert its petrol stations to be pay-at-pump only during overnight hours.
The combined impact of these changes, including the proposed closure of seven Jack’s stores, will put around 1,600 roles at risk, the retailer noted.
Tesco aims to offer alternative roles for as many colleagues possible.
Jack's
The group launched Jack's, named after Tesco's founder Jack Cohen, in 2018 at a store in Chatteris, eastern England, as part of its centenary celebrations.
Taking on German-owned discounters Aldi and Lidl, the store focused on simplicity and own-brands to keep costs and prices down. But expansion of the format has been slow.
"With the learnings from Jack’s now applied, the time is right to focus on ensuring we continue to deliver the best possible value for customers in our core business," said Tesco UK and Ireland CEO Jason Tarry.
He said the Jack's brand would live on with Jack’s branded products available to independent convenience stores supplied by Booker, Tesco's wholesale business.
Tesco also said it would close meat, fish or hot deli counters in a further 317 stores.
There would be no redundancies related to the counter closures as affected colleagues would be offered alternative roles.
Earlier this month, Tesco raised its profit outlook for the second time in four months after better-than-expected Christmas trading.
News by Reuters, additional reporting by ESM. For more Retail news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
