Hundreds of jobs axed at Tesco with meat, fish and deli counters scrapped in more than 300 stores

Bye Bye, Billy Bear

Tesco is preparing to scrap hundreds of jobs as they close meat, fish and deli counters in over 300 stores across the United Kingdom. In response to a dwindling demand for such counters, Tesco is ready to scrap them in 317 stores alongside closing its Jack's discount chain, reports Metro. The supermarket admitted that it would be closing counters where there is the "lowest demand." [caption id="attachment_314752" align="alignnone" width="2048"]

Tesco attributed the change to developing shopper behaviour/Via Getty[/caption] Tesco also announced that 1,400 overnight jobs are at risk in both stores and petrol stations. A further 130 jobs will be impacted by the closing of 13 Jack's discount stores, and the remaining six Jack's will fold into the supermarket and become Tesco stores. Tesco UK and Republic of Ireland chief executive Jason Tarry said: "Our Jack's brand will continue to be sold across Booker and our symbol brands, bringing great value and quality to even more customers. [caption id="attachment_314755" align="alignnone" width="2048"]

The Deli counter is one of many iconic supermarket sections to be axed/Via UnSplash[/caption] "We want to thank our Jack's colleagues for all they have done and taught us." Tarry added the priority was finding "roles within our wider business" for all the people who want to stay with the company following the closures. On February 1, Tarry added that customers have been shopping differently, particularly since the pandemic. He explained: "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."