Morrisons to axe 1,500 roles as it focuses on frontline services

The supermarket giant said the shake-up is part of a restructure which would see more customer service staff and fewer managers.

Gary Mills, Morrisons retail director, said: “Our aim is to serve customers better with more frontline colleagues in stores improving product availability and helping customers at the checkouts.

“Very regrettably, there will be a period of uncertainty for some managers affected by these proposals and we’ll be supporting them through this important process.

“Our commitment is to redeploy as many affected colleagues as possible.”

Simultaneously Morrisons said it will create 1,700 junior jobs.

The Bradford-based firm also said affected managers will be given the opportunity to apply for around 800 management vacancies in Morrisons stores.

Several household names have embarked on job cutting drives recently, including supermarket behemoths Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda.

Earlier this week B&Q said it is to swing the axe on 200 head office jobs as part of a cost-cutting drive at the DIY retailer.

The news comes at a bruising time for high street retailers, which are struggling with Brexit-fuelled inflation that has sent the cost of goods rocket and consumer confidence plummeting.

To compound matters, firms have been stung by soaring business rates.