Sainsbury's to close meat and fish counters, slash jobs

Sainsbury’s plans to close many of its fresh fish and meat counters, and will eliminate 3,000 jobs.

A large number of job cuts will be made at J Sainsbury’s Argos business, “but there also will be losses in stores with the closure of delicatessens and fresh fish and meat counters,” The Times reported.

Sainsbury’s said in a press release it is closing its meat, fish, and deli counters, “based on reduced customer demand.”

“This will make stores simpler to run and reduce food waste. We will keep adding more quality and innovation in our aisles,” the retailer said.

The retailer will also lower food prices and “profitably grow groceries online sales to meet further demand.”

Sainsbury’s is just one of many U.K. retailers facing cutbacks and losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Marks & Spencer announced its first loss in 94 years – an overall pre-tax loss of BP 87.6 million (USD 115 million, EUR 97 million) in the six months to September. Heading into the U.K.’s second lockdown for non-essential retail businesses, Marks & Spencer will close its clothing departments and cafes.

John Lewis, which runs Waitrose supermarkets, also said it would cut up to 1,500 jobs at its corporate office, BBC reported.

On Thursday, 5 November, Unite, the union representing Sainsbury's food industry workers, said it was "deeply disappointed" by the move, and asked for "uregent talks with the management" to redeploy affected workers and a potential reopening of the fish counters once COVID-19 restrictions are eased.

Photo courtesy of Sainsbury’s